Tottenham 3 Stevenage 1 FA Cup

It's customary for the minnows or underdogs to get a late consolation goal as acknowledgement of their gallant effort.  Last night Spurs turned that idea upside down as Stevenage scored inside four minutes and could have added to it before Tottenham eventually came to life.

Tottenham Hotspur 3 Stevenage 1  

(FA Cup 5th Round Replay)

Scorers:  Defoe (2), Adebayor (pen)       Byrom (pen)

Team: Cudicini; Kaboul, Dawson (Walker), Nelsen, Rose; Lennon (Adebayor), Parker, Kranjcar (Livermore), Bale; Van der Vaart; Defoe  Subs: (unused) Friedel, Modric, Gallas, Giovani

 Spurs Writers' Club - Tottenham, The Glory-Glory Game

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Spurs progressed to the FA Cup 6th Round and a home match against Bolton Wanderers but it was not as easy as the scoreline might suggest.  Spurs had put out a strong team with a strong bench for backup while both former Spurs, Chris Day and Ronnie Henry, were in the visitor's starting line-up.

Spurs started sluggishly, content to pass the ball around but in the third minute Joel Byrom made the first foray into the Spurs penalty area to be brought down by Ryan Nelsen.  A penalty which was duly dispatched, Cudicini diving the wrong way.  That was greeted with stunned disbelief by the Spurs fans and great exuberation from the Stevenage faithful.

Spurs looking to bounce back from two consecutive League defeats had just added to the pressure on themselves and for the next twenty minutes it just got worse.  First Michael Dawson had to be replaced, carried off injured, and then Spurs play went from bad to worse as their passing went awry and their play was totally devoid of ideas as Stevenage defended with composure and endeavour.

After twenty four minutes Spurs had provided no threat to Chris Day in the Stevenage goal but the visitors could so easily have been two ahead as a header from a free-kick looped over the crossbar.  Thirty seconds later, Spurs were ahead.  As one national paper put it, five touches later and Jermain Defoe had scored.  A short goal-kick from Carlo Cudicini to Gareth Bale, a long ball forward from the left found Defoe centrally, on the edge of the box, one touch to control and another to set himself and then a powerful strike past a diving goalkeeper.  That was the first FA Cup goal that Day had conceded this season - denying teams for over five games and a total of 475 minutes.

A sigh of relief from Spurs supporters, assured that the goal would see Spurs take control but it wasn't to be.  Certainly, Spurs play improved but Stevenage matched them and were deserving to be level at the interval.  Aaron Lennon had by this time departed, injured, to be replaced by Emmanuel Adebayor and he had nearly made contact with a pass from Rafael Van der Vaart just before half-time.

Into the second half and after three minutes, it appeared as if Defoe had put Spurs ahead following good work and a cross by Younes Kaboul but the England striker was ruled offside.  Stevenage continued to be a threat from corners and Cudicini had to make a sharp save at close range to keep them out.  Then Gareth Bale got the breakthrough they were looking for after ten minutes of the second half.  Gareth Bale made a run into the area on the right and as he was about to put in a cross, he was brought down and the referee signalled a penalty, having been advised by his assistant.  Adebayor remained calm to score easily.

That was the filip that Spurs needed as suddenly their play and confidence levels were lifted and Bale became an increasing threat to Stevenage by creating a number of chances for Defoe and Adebayor.  He also hit a thunderous shot against the crossbar but Stevenage weren't going to give up without a fight and their threat at set-pieces continued.  From one, they hit the bar with a header and the ball bounced down to land only inches from the line, to be grabbed by Cudicini. 

Spurs chances continued to come and go as Bale's pace caught Stevenage out but it was from a quickly taken long throw from his own half that set up Defoe for the third.  Gathering the ball from Bale's throw, Defoe ran on  towards the goal with the defenders uncertain what to do as he lashed a shot past Day.

Stevenage continued to work hard and can be satisfied with their performance.  If Spurs had scored any more goals the result would have been flattering to them.  Stevenage received a very deserved reception from their fans at the end but Spurs continue to the next round, one step closer to the 'Joy of Winning the Cup'.

Spurs were looking for a boost after their previous disappointing results but as they say in 'Deal or No Deal', "that tells us nothing."  It could be the start of something good or it might not.  The result against Everton will be a better indicator if Spurs have rediscovered their defensive composure and their attacking threat against Premier League opponents.

Worryingly for Spurs, Dawson will be out for the rest of the season while Lennon will be out for a spell with a re-occurrence of his injury.  The central defensive positions are of concern as Spurs will be looking for their two experienced campaigners, Ledley King and Gallas, to overcome their injuries and provide cover during the coming weeks.  The absence of`Lennon again reduces the attacking threat which Spurs can pose when both he and Bale are running at defenders from the wide areas.

How Spurs deal with these injuries and how they deploy the remaining players will determine whether Spurs can find the level of consistency needed to retain third place in the Premier League and if they can sustain a challenge for the FA Cup.  It will be an interesting few weeks for Tottenham supporters.

Stevenage 0 Tottenham 0 FA Cup 5th Round

After a fiercely competitive 5th Round tie at Stevenage, Tottenham are grateful to be returning to White Hart Lane for a replay with the winners going through to a home match against Bolton Wanderers.

Stevenage 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Team: Cudicini; Dawson, Kaboul, Nelsen; Walker (Kranjcar), Livermore, Parker, Bale, Rose (Lennon); Defoe, Saha  Subs (unused): Friedel, King, Khumalo, Luongo, Dawkins

Tottenham put out a strong team but with concerns over the prospect of facing a barrage of high balls and crosses from Stevenage, they opted for an unfamilar 3 - 5 - 2 formation with three centre backs, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose out wide and Gareth Bale having a roving role in central midfield.  Ryan Nelsen was starting his first match for the club.  Stevenage started with the same side as won at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek which contained both former Spurs reserves, Chris Day in goal and Ronnie Henry at right back.

Stevenage started with a purpose and quickly showed their intention with a series of high balls into the Spurs' box which brought an early challenge on Carlo Cudicini as he came to collect the ball.  Stevenage worked hard and were quicker to the ball, giving the Totttenham players little time to play their usual passing game.  This resulted in Tottenham playing long balls out of defence towards a forward pairing of Jermain Defoe and Louis Saha which saw the ball coming straight back at Spurs.

The first occasion that Spurs created any danger came after sixteen minutes from Rose on the left who put in a low cross to the near post which Defoe touched wide.  Stevenage continued to be first to the ball in midfield and their constant snapping at the heels of Spurs players unsettled them as their passing was poor.  While Stevenage were busy all round the pitch the Spurs central defence coped well and were strong when challenging for the high ball.

The Spurs play, and even the team formation, suggested that much of their focus in preparation had been to cope with the aerial threat that they expected, and received, from Stevenage but had not thought much about how they would use the ball as an attacking force.

On twenty six minutes Saha had a shot across goal but Day was untroubled.  For a short period Totttenham made greater use of their possession by playing it out to Rose on the left who was looking to cause danger but Henry was playing him well.  After thirty three minutes Bale put the ball out to Rose and his cross was headed just over by Walker.  Then Saha was challenged as he prepared to shoot and from a free-kick Defoe's shot was blocked for a corner.

Just as it looked as if Spurs were starting to be more dominant, Stevenage broke from the corner and Tottenham were relieved to get the ball out of their area.  Younes Kaboul had a shot from a free-kick go wide as Stevenage finished the stronger, having a shot blocked for a corner with Michael Dawson putting in a vital clearance from the resulting corner in the last few seconds of the half.

At the start of the second half it appeared that Spurs were going to be more purposeful with sharper passing in midfield and a run from halfway by Bale which ended with a low shot that Day pushed away for a corner, his only save of the game.  After 54 minutes, Spurs had the ball in the net after a cross from Rose caused confusion for the goalkeeper and a defender, allowing Saha to put in a shot which was goalbound but struck Scott Parker on the line before going into the net.  Parker was flagged for being offside.

As time wore on the pitch started to cut up which made passing more difficult and Stevenage had a period around the hour mark when they caused alarm with a number of long range shots.  Rose made a good interception from a dangerous move and tried to set up Defoe.  Walker then put in  a good block on a powerful goalbound shot from the edge of the box, another shot went wide from distance and then with Stevenage's increased industry and endeavour Joe Byrom had two shots in two minutes, shooting over from distance and then a shot straight at Cudicini which he blocked but couldn't hold and Nelsen completed the clearance.

After 65 minutes, Niko Kranjcar replaced Walker and Spurs reverted to 4 - 4 - 2 with Kaboul at right back.  On 74 minutes, after a good run by Defoe, a Bale cross found Saha but his shot was weak.  Aaron Lenon replaced Rose for the last ten minutes with Bale moving to left back.  A dangerous cross from Kranjcar reached to Saha but he was challenged by Henry and the ball was cleared.  There was a good run and cross by Lennon and then following another run a quick passing movement set up Defoe but his weak shot went wide.

Stevenage continued to show commitment and in the final minutes Spurs were very aware that a mistake could see them out of the Cup and were satisfied with a return to White Hart Lane for a 5th Round replay.  Stevenage were thoroughly deserving of that replay as they worked hard throughout and were never overawed by  playing a Premier League side.  They were well prepared and the players and manager deserve all the praise for their efforts and their performance which brought credit to League One. 

Ron Henry - a Tottenham Legend

It was sad to read in yesterday's newspapers that while Ronnie Henry is playing against Tottenham in the FA Cup 5th Round game at the Lamex Stadium, his grandfather, the legendary 'Double' winning full back, Ron Henry, is unable to attend as he is in a care home suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Ron Henry

Ron Henry was an ever-present member of the 1960-61 team which won the 1st Division title and the FA Cup.  Playing at left back he was an important part of the Tottenham successes of the early 1960s.  He developed a good understanding with his full back partner, Peter Baker and while others were making the headlines Henry was an unsung hero.

He had joined Spurs in 1953 as an amateur, turning professional two years later and making his debut against Huddersfield Town in April, 1955, playing at centre half.  In each of the next two seasons, he made just one appearance at his traditional left back position.  In the first half of season 1957-58 he again had only one solitary match but in February, 1958 he got his chance replacing the Welsh international, Mel Hopkins, who was injured playing for his country.  Henry held his place for the final fourteen games of the season.  At the start of the next season, Henry played in the opening two games but with Spurs losing heavily, Hopkins reclaimed the position and Henry played in only six more matches that year.

In November, 1959 Hopkins broke his nose on international duty and Henry came in as his replacement.  He played throughout that season and over the next three seasons missed only one game, through injury in April, 1962.  A reliable player, he was rarely injured and having bided his time became part of Tottenham's greatest ever team as they won the League title, two FA Cup Finals and the European Cup Winners' Cup trophy in 1963.

In season 1963-64 he made 29 League appearances and the folowing year he captained the side in place of the injured Dave Mackay, playing in all but one of the League matches.  That was his last season as a regular - he made just one further appearance, Cyril Knowles having established himself at left back.

In total, Ron Henry made 287 League and Cup appearances for Tottenham.  He scored only one goal but it was worth waiting for as it came in his final full season in February 1965, the only goal against Manchester United at White Hart Lane.

Troubled by injury he stepped down to the reserve team where he played for another four seasons, using his experience to help the development of the younger players and than on retiring from playing he assisted by coaching the junior teams at Spurs for many years.

Ron Henry was a loyal Spurs player.  He was a sound defender and had great positional sense.  He won just one England cap, in Alf Ramsey first match as manager.

Ron's grandson, Ronnie, was on Tottenham's books as a junior and progressed through the reserves to the verge of the first team but apart from a few appearances in friendlies didn't make it into the first team.  Having left Tottenham, he at first had difficulty finding a club but established himself with Stevenage in the Conference and has helped them to promotion to the Football League and into League One.

Tottenham - The Stevenage Connection

Tottenham travel north in the FA Cup 5th Round tie to play Stevenage in their first ever competitive match.  Although the two clubs are geographically only twenty two miles apart, historically in terms of football they are poles apart but there are a number if interesting connections between them.

Stevenage, formerly Stevenage Borough, was formed in 1976, Tottenham in 1882.  Spurs, members of the Football League since 1908, Stevenage gained promotion to the Football League for the first time in August, 2010.  In their first season they achieved promotion to League One, defeating Torquay United in the play-off Final at Old Trafford.  Stevenage are currently sixth, once again in a play-off position.  Their home is the Lamex Stadium, renamed in 2009 as previously it was called Broadhall Way.

Stevenage have a reputation as a Cup team, winning the FA Trophy in 2007 when they were the first team to win a trophy at the new Wembley Stadium and in 2009.  They also created a shock by defeating Newcastle United 3 - 1 in last season's FA Cup 3rd Round at their home ground.  This year's involvement in the 5th Round game with Spurs is the farthest they have progressed in the competition, having defeated Notts County 1 - 0 at their Lamex Stadium.  They have yet to concede a goal in the competition this year with three away wins against Hartlepool United (1 - 0) in the 1st Round, Stourbridge (3 - 0) and Reading (1 - 0) in the 3rd Round.

Tottenham-Stevenage Connection

• Previous Meetings - Pre-season Friendlies: 

Although the clubs have never played competitively, the ground is not unfamiliar to Tottenham as the reserve team used to play their games there during the 2000s and presumably as part of that arrangement the Spurs first team visited Stevenage for a pre-season friendly each July over a number of years.  It would have been at that ground that a number of Spurs youth players would have had a taste of first team football alongside experienced internationals.

2001  Won 8 - 1  Poyet (3), Ferguson (2), Kamanan, Freund 
The one and only goal Steffen Freund scored during his time with Tottenham - some people have bought the t-shirt. 
2002  Won 4 - 0  Anderton (2), Jackson, Rebrov
2003  Won 2 - 0  Acimovic, Postiga
2004  Won 2 - 1  Keane (pen), Defoe
2005  Won 3 - 0  Kanoute, Mido, Defoe
2006  Won 3 - 0  Defoe (2) (1 pen), Berbatov (pen) 
2007  Won 3 - 1  Keane, Bent, Taarabt

• Former Players

Two players who are regulars with Stevenage are goalkeeper, Chris Day and defender Ronnie Henry.  They both came through the Tottenham youth system without breaking into the League team but have furthered their careers away from the club. 

Now aged 36, Chris Day sat on the bench for Spurs on many occasions in League games as substitute goalkeeper but never got on to the pitch.  He came off the bench in a number of friendly matches in season 1994 - 95 and was in goal for the ill-fated 1995 Intertoto match against FC Cologne when a team of youth, reserves and loanees lost 0 - 8. 

He joined Crystal Palace for £225,000 in 1996 and has made over 300 appearances at eight League clubs including Queen's Park Rangers, Watford where he appeared in the Premier League, Lincoln City, Oldham, Millwall and Preston North End.  His greatest achievement was helping Stevenage gain League status and promotion to League 1.

Ronnie Henry is the grandson of Spurs 'Double' winning full back, Ron Henry.  Like Day, he also made a number of appearances in friendly games, including an appearance at Stevenage in 2002.  That pre-season he scored a goal in a defeat against QPR.  He made it into the League matchday squad but never progressed into the team.  He was released by Tottenham in November, 2003 but was unable to find a club.  He eventually signed for Dublin City but was released due to shortage of funds.  In January, 2004 he joined non-league Stevenage Borough, was made captain and led them into the Football League and further promotion.  He was the first player to raise a competitive trophy at the new Wembley, captaining Stevenage to FA Trophy success.

Terry Dixon was a young player with tremendous potential but serious injury problems resulted in him being released by Tottenham, aged nineteen.  He spent two years at West Ham trying to resurrect his career and in October, 2010 joined Stevenage on trial.  He made a number of appearances as a substitute as he tried to regain match fitness but the following January failed to agree terma with the club.  

Stuart Lewis was a youth team midfield player who started with Spurs but signed for Barnet in January, 2007.  After three mionths there he joined Stevenage and made 30 appearnces before joining Gillingham.

Steven Pitt, a winger, made one appearance for Tottenham in season 1965 - 66 at the age of seventeen, winning 4 - 0 against Blackpool.  He later played for Stevenage having spent time with Colchester United.

• Stevenage Managers

Stevenage have recently appointed Gary Smith as their manager to replace Graham Westley who went to Preston.  Smith is the son of Roger Smith who was a prolific goalscoring left winger reserve player with Spurs in the early to mid-1960s.   Roger's family all came from Tottenham and Gary recalls playing at his grandparents' house, next to White Hart Lane, and being able to hear the roar of the crowd from their back garden.  Despite his family all supporting Spurs, Smith supports Arsenal, another good reason to beat Stevenage.

The managers prior to Westley had Spurs connections.  In 2006, Mark Stimson, a reserve defender who made two League appearances between 1987 and 1989.  He spent four years with Newcastle United and in 2003 joined Portsmouth.  He also played for Gillingham, Southend, Leyton Orient and Barnet before taking up the manager's role at Gray's Athletic.  After a season with Stevenage, when they won the FA trophy, he joined Gillingham in November, 2007

Peter Taylor replaced Stimson but resigned at the end of the season having failed to reach the play-offs.  Taylor played 140 League and Cup games for Spurs between 1976 and 1980.  He joined from Crystal Palace in the relegation season and scored on his debut at West Brom.  He scored 33 goals before joining Orient.

Tottenham will need to take this game seriously if they are to avoid an upset.  Stevenage are confident playing on their own ground and will be fully prepared and motivated for this match, intending to ad another scalp to their giant-killing list.  Spurs have the ability and skill but will also need the desire and application.

Spurs and the FA Cup 5th Round

Progress through the FA Cup 5th Round game and supporters and players start to believe that an appearance in the Final is possible.  Defeat and another season can sometimes be consigned to history with little to play for through in the coming months.  Tottenham, this season, however, have their continued aspirations for Champions League football and a say in the outcome of the Premier League title race to look forward to with anticipation.  The prospect of a return to Wembley in May is an added incentive for Spurs to renew acquaintances with the ground that was like their second home for a period in the 1980s.

Spurs are on Their Way to Stevenage

Another Step towards the Final - Spurs and the FA Cup 5th Round

(Article first appeared in Topspurs)

As Spurs prepare for the game against Stevenage, a team from League One who have a recent record of Cup upsets, ask Newcastle United, they must realise that it will not be an easy task at Stevenage’s compact ground.

Success in the 5th Round game means that a club is only two wins from a Final appearance and three from the ultimate success of lifting the trophy.  It can all seem so easy on paper but there can be many a twist before the task’s completed.  Spurs history shows that FA Cup winners need a slice of good fortune along the way but that a 'special' win at this stage is just a win and is no guarantee of further success.
  
Road to Success
1901
Spurs were drawn away to Reading, the only other non-League team left in the competition, in the 3rd Round game, the equivalent of today’s 5th Round.  Spurs had lost at Reading in the Southern League in November so although they had defeated League opposition in the previous rounds, this match was not going to be easy and so it proved.  Every Cup winning team has a moment when they could so easily have gone out of the competition and it happened for Spurs at Reading.  A goal down early on to a robust home team, Spurs were struggling to make any impact on the game. Early in the second half Spurs recovered for a brief period and equalised through winger John Kirwan but then Reading took control again.  Spurs were forced to hang on but when goalkeeper George Clawley failed to hold a shot, full-back Sandy Tait punched the ball clear – a certain penalty. Everyone saw what had happened except the referee the linesman and when a goal-kick was awarded the 3000 Spurs’ supporters gave a collective sigh of relief.  Spurs held on and in the replay the following Thursday Spurs were a completely different side.  David Copeland gave them an early lead and Sandy Brown scored two more to give Spurs a comfortable win.  Brown had kept up his record of scoring in every round of the Cup.  As Spurs looked forward to a semi-final tie against West Brom the question being asked was - Could this be Spurs’ year to win the Cup?

1921
The 3rd Round game seems to have been more straight forward with a 4-1 win over Third Division, Southend United.  However, while the score suggested a comfortable win, Spurs’ performance was not as impressive and they again required that element of luck every Cup winning team experiences.  Spurs were lethargic and Southend went ahead after ten minutes.  Spurs rallied and equalised through Jimmy Cantrell, only to allow the home team to take control again and earn a penalty just before half-time.  The referee was not happy with the placing of the ball for the penalty and interfered on two occasions.  This angered the Southend penalty-taker who argued with the referee and when he stepped up to strike the penalty he sent it wide of the post.  After the interval Southend again took charge but in the last thirty minutes Spurs scored three times through Jimmy Banks, Jimmy Seed and Bert Bliss.

1961
Spurs’ 5th Round opponents were Aston Villa at Villa Park.  A week earlier Spurs had won there in the League and recorded another victory in the Cup.  No matter what Villa attempted Spurs had an answer with a display of football at their very best.  Having constantly pulled the home defence apart, Spurs went ahead after seventeen minutes when a defender deflected a Cliff Jones’ shot into his own goal.  Just before the interval the game was effectively over when Jones scored and Spurs comfortably controlled the rest of the game.

1962
Spurs travelled to The Hawthorns to play West Bromwich Albion.  In a typical Cup tie Bobby Smith gave Spurs an early lead but the game continued from end to end with both goalkeepers being kept busy.  Smith doubled Spurs lead just before half-time.  An injury to Cliff Jones restricted his movement and effectiveness and West Brom pulled a goal back at the start of the second half.  Jimmy Greaves restored Spurs two goal lead with fifteen minutes remaining only for West Brom to strike back again.  Spurs’ victory was secured by Greaves’ second with one minute remaining.

1967
The Cup winning trail gave Spurs a home game against 2nd Division Bristol City and it was that man Greaves who again secured Spurs’ passage to the next round.  Greaves put Spurs ahead after ten minutes but then the good fortune of Cup winners was again evident in Spurs’ victory as City missed a number of goal scoring opportunities and Pat Jennings was required to save a Bristol penalty in the second half.  The penalty was retaken because Jennings moved too soon and the re-take was hit wide.  To add insult to injury Greaves scored Spurs’ second goal from the penalty spot in the final minute.  Captain Dave Mackay put the win in perspective, ‘We should have won more easily but few top teams manage to win convincingly against lesser opposition.’

1981
It was less of a struggle against fellow 1st Division opponents, Coventry City at White Hart Lane.  Goals from Chris Hughton, Ossie Ardiles and Steve Archibald gave Spurs a 3-1 victory and dreams of Wembley were becoming less fanciful.

1982
The 5th Round game was Spurs’ third home tie against 1st Division opponents and their third single goal victory.  Mark Falco provided the solitary strike that defeated Aston Villa.

1991
Spurs’ hero was Paul Gascoigne but before the game at Portsmouth Spurs lost full-back Terry Fenwick who broke his ankle in the pre-match warm-up sessions.  Gazza required a hernia operation but was being nursed through the Cup games and he again proved the match winner with the two goals that took Spurs past the 2nd Division club.

Memorable Goals
1999
The FA Cup 5th Round tie against Leeds United is memorable for the quality of the goals that Spurs scored in the replay at White Hart Lane.  A goal from Tim Sherwood had earned Spurs the replay but Darren Anderton and David Ginola scored two goals of outstanding quality to take Spurs into the quarter finals. Another amazing strike from Ginola which went narrowly past is equally remembered for the reaction of George Graham and the Spurs’ bench as they leapt to their feet in celebration, thinking that it was a goal.

Abandoned - Snow!

1996
The  5th Round game at Nottingham Forest is remembered by travelling supporters for their lengthy journey home through thick snow after the game was abandoned after fifteen minutes due to the snow.  Spurs drew the re-arranged tie but lost the replay at Tottenham on penalties.

Unlikely Hero:
1995
On 1st March, an unlikely hero stepped forward to rescue Spurs in a 5th Round Replay.  Spurs and Southampton had drawn 1-1 at White Hart Lane and when the Sheringham/Klinsmann team found themselves two goals down just before half-time at the Dell, their Cup dreams looked to be over.  Ronnie Rosenthal was brought on as sub just before the interval and in the second half he scored twice in two minutes to bring the scores level, the second from twenty five yards.  He outdid that goal in extra time with a shot from thirty yards to put Spurs ahead and then goals from Teddy Sheringham, Nick Barmby and Darren Anderton completed the 6-2 rout.  ‘Rocket’ Ronnie had made a name for himself in Spurs folklore.

Giant Killing - Cup Upsets:

1959
Defeat to clubs from lower divisions was a feature of Spurs in the 1950s.  They lost  to Norwich City who were in the 3rd Division and had beaten Manchester United and Cardiff City to reach this stage of the competition.  Held 1-1 at home in the first game Spurs lost the 5th Round replay by a solitary goal as Norwich progressed to the semi-finals.

1957
Two years earlier it had been Bournemouth who had knocked Spurs out at the 5th Round stage. Managed by former Spur Freddie Cox, the 3rd Division side took the lead only for Terry Medwin to equalise.  Bournemouth who had won at Wolves in the previous round did everything to unsettle Spurs and scored another two goals to win 3-1 and earn a home tie against Manchester United.

1955
Another two years earlier and it was York City who removed Spurs from the Cup with a similar 1-3 score.  George Robb put Spurs ahead but the home side scored twice before half-time and then added a third in the second half.  York who were in the 3rd Division (North) reached the semi-finals where they lost in a replay to Newcastle United, the eventual Cup winners.

Cup 'Classic'
1937
The 5th Round Replay against Everton was one of those games that Cup memories are founded on.  Spurs were a 2nd Division team and the match in Liverpool had seen Spurs score through Jimmy McCormick with five minutes remaining, only for their 1st Division opponents to equalise in the last minute.  The Replay on the following Monday, surpassed that for excitement as Spurs looked to be going out of the Cup until a dramatic comeback.  The pitch had been flooded and conditions were poor but Everton took control and went into a two goal lead.  Spurs scored through Johnny Morrison in the 27th minute but in the second half after a Morrison ‘goal’ was disallowed, Everton extended their lead.  With seven minutes remaining, Everton were awarded a penalty but the referee changed his decision as Everton had taken a throw-in incorrectly.  A minute later Morrison scored Spurs’ second, then with two minutes remaining Joe Meek equalised with a great solo goal and in the last minute Morrison scored the winner.  46,972 spectators witnessed a Cup ‘classic.’

Spurs’ fans would enjoy a Cup ‘classic’ that would see Spurs into the next round but they expect Spurs name to be in the draw for the 6th Round whatever team is selected by the manager.  Having defeated Cheltenham Town and Watford in the earlier rounds, the FA Cup could be the icing on the cake for a Tottenham team which has received many plaudits throughout the season for both their style of play and also their ability to fight for a result when their football is not flowing as well as they would like.  There may well be need for that fight and determination against Stevenage to ensure there are no FA Cup giant-killing stories to be recounted for years to come.

Great Tottenham Video

Great Tottenham Hotspur Video

The Spurs Promo video which was removed from its original site, Vimeo, has been saved for us by Youtube - enjoy it while you can!  Unfortunately, it has now been removed from Youtube due to a copyright by the FA Premier League.


So as not to disappoint, here is a video of some of Tottenham younger players singing, Stand By Me, with Andros Townsend, Tom Carroll and Oskar  Johansson as lead vocalists.


X-Factor here they come!

Congratulations to the Youth team - FA Youth Cup success beating Stevenage 2 - 1.  Early goal from Shaq Coulhirst but as Spurs dominated the first half chances, he missed a penalty when Jack Munns was brought down.  In the second half Stevenage equalised but in the fourth minute of added time, Souleymane Coulibaly scored the winner.

Spurs meet Cardiff City in the next round in Wales.

Team: Spurs U18s (4-1-2-3): Granger; Barthram, Ekong, Stewart, Modeste; Ball; Munns, Lameiras; McEvoy, Coulibaly, Coulthirst (Ward, 44).

Stand By Me sung by Tottenham Hotspur

To Dare is to Do!

Pre-order Here: (Use Code LH1)

Come on You Spurs!