Tamworth players fixing the net. (Image: Getty.)
third-round tie with Tamworth did not get underway until five minutes after the kick-off was scheduled, as the home net had not been properly fitted.
The two teams were out on the pitch and ready to get started as Spurs travelled to the fifth-tier side, when home goalkeeper Jasbir Singh noticed that the roof of his net was not attached to the woodwork.
He demanded that it be fixed before kick-off, though no match official arrived quickly enough for Tamworth’s liking and the players attempted to fix the issue themselves.
In freezing cold temperatures, the visitors tried to keep warm while passing a ball around on their side of the pitch. Head coach could only laugh as he was met by taunts from the Tamworth supporters.
Then striker Beck-Ray Enoru was hoisted on top of a team-mate’s shoulders as he wrestled with the net, which could be seen with a small gap in it.
They were taking no risks with the rulebook infringement and once Enoru had fixed the hole in the net, he jumped back onto the floor to a huge round of applause.
Beck-Ray Enoru taping up the home goal. (Image: Getty)
Kick-off had been delayed for just over five minutes in total, before Tamworth got the ball rolling as they attempted what would be a historic giant-killing.
Enoru nearly turned from goal-saviour to goal-scorer just moments into the tie. He weaved through the Spurs defence and aimed an effort at Antonin Kinsky’s net, but the stopper tipped Enoru’s strike over the bar.
The National League side’s biggest weapon, however, came from the long throw of Tom Tonks. His Rory Delap-esque missiles prompted some early panic by the depleted Spurs backline to give those at the Lamb Ground a chance to cheer.
This takes you back to the cold mornings on a Sunday league pitch ?????? |
— ITV Football (@itvfootball)
Spurs were taking very little risks at Tamworth, however, with Postecoglou starting the likes of , Brennan Johnson and Yves Bissouma.
“We have got to be mindful of we don’t want it to turn into a tricky game for us,” Postecoglou said as he previewed his team selection to face Tamworth. “We want to make sure we play our best. If we can give some rest to some of those guys you said, and having Mikey [Moore] back helps in that front third for sure, getting Pape [Matar Sarr] and Maddison back helps us in midfield.
“We are still pretty restricted defensively to be honest but Sergio Reguilon at least he has had some games recently which gives us a chance. In terms of centre-half and right-back we are still pretty limited in terms of what we can do here. In terms of rotation but hopefully we can rest at least a couple of players from a full 90 minutes of football.”