English FA Cup: Rochdale force replay against Spurs
NAN-S-7
Draw
London, Feb. 18, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Rochdale’s Steve Davies fired home a stoppage time equaliser to earn the third-tier strugglers a deserved 2-2 draw in a cracking English FA Cup fifth round tie against Tottenham Hotspur.
It looked as though substitute Harry Kane’s late penalty kick on Sunday had put the English Premier League side into the quarter-finals.
But Davies, also on from the bench, pounced in the second minute of added time to spark joyous scenes at Spotland.
“To get a draw at the end of the day against a Premier League club – you can hear what it means to the fans, board and staff,” Henderson said as the fans chanted ‘Dale are going to Wembley…’ in anticipation of the replay at Tottenham’s temporary home.
“We can’t wait to go to Wembley. We always felt we had an opportunity, Stevo (Steven Davies) is an unbelievable finisher and we deserved that today.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing at Wembley and now I can say I’ve played there – if I’m fit and picked.’’
Rochdale, bottom of League One, had their barren pitch re-surfaced for the arrival of Spurs who are bidding to win the FA Cup for the first time since 1991.
And Keith Hill’s men made a mockery of the 63 places separating the sides as they used the lush green surface to great effect to match a superior Tottenham Hotspur side.
The north London club line-up was however much changed from the one that drew 2-2 with Juventus in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Tottenham’s team still brimmed with internationals, with Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose, Kieran Trippier and Harry Winks all involved.
Spanish striker Fernando Llorente was upfront in place of the rested Kane.
Alderweireld was a touch fortunate to get away with a handball after slipping in the area and Henderson had a great chance but saw his shot saved by Michel Vorm.
Rochdale continued to play with style and Henderson opened the scoring in the 45th minute.
That was when Andrew Cannon played a dangerous ball onto the box and the skipper fired first-time into the corner.
Tottenham increased their intensity in the second half and levelled when Moussa Sissoko found space and threaded the perfect pass to Brazilian Moura who finished superbly.
Rochdale were ticking down the minutes after that as Tottenham sent in the cavalry with Kane.
The England forward had made his professional league debut in January 2011 at Spotland while on loan at Leyton Orient.
Dele Alli and Erik Lamela were also all released off the bench to try and force a win.
They defended valiantly, making last-ditch stops and goal line clearances.
But when Alli was taken down in the area and Kane drilled low into the corner with his 89th-minute spot kick, it looked like being a hard-luck story.
There was a final twist, though, as Matt Done swung in a cross from the left.
When the ball glanced off Alderweireld, it fell to Davies who took a touch before shooting home.
Eight-times winners Tottenham, who also needed a replay against fourth-tier Newport in the fourth round, could have few complaints at not finishing the tie.
“The FA Cup is magic. We have another opportunity at Wembley, the same situation like before,” Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said.
“It’s not easy to play this type of game. Of course we wanted to win but we have the possibility to win.
“We have all the squad fit and it will be another game to provide players with the chance to compete on Wembley and we have the possibility to reach the quarter-finals.”
The winners will face either Swansea City or Sheffield Wednesday in the quarter-finals. (Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)