Tottenham On This Day: Spurs Overcome Torquay United In FA Cup Replay
By Logan Holmes
Having been held to a 3 – 3 draw in the FA Cup 3rd Round tie at Torquay United’s Plainmoor ground, Tottenham defeated the 4th Division side in the replay at White Hart Lane.
Spurs v Torquay (FA Cup Replay [Photo: Logan Holmes]Tottenham on this Day
18th January, 1965
Tottenham Hotspur 5 Torquay United 1 FA Cup 3rd Round Replay
Scorers: Greaves (3), Gilzean, Robertson
Team: Jennings; Knowles, Henry, Mullery, Norman, Clayton, Robertson, Greaves, Gilzean, Jones, Dyson **
Due to wintry weather conditions, the original FA Cup 3rd Round replay against Torquay United had to be postponed but Spurs managed to win comfortably against the Division 4 side who put up a gallant fight especially in the first half.
A hat-trick from Jimmy Greaves and goals from Alan Gilzean and Jimmy Robertson ensured Spurs first Cup win since they won the trophy in May, 1962.
Alan Gilzean equalises before half-time at Torquay [Photo: Logan Holmes]In the first tie, Spurs had come from a goal down to lead 3 – 1 with seven minutes remaining but Torquay scored twice in two minutes for a grandstand finish through the last five minutes that Spurs managed to survive – JUST! Spurs goals had been scored by Maurice Norman and Alan Gilzean (2).
Torquay had started the better in the match in Torquay and troubled the Spurs defence with their direct running but in response a shot from Les Allen went through the goalkeeper’s hands and hit the post. It was the home side who were more threatening and they went ahead just before the interval from a penalty but within minutes Gilzean headed the equaliser.
After half-time Spurs took the lead in the 51st minute when Norman won possession and moved forward to the edge of the box to score with a low drive. Gilzean scored the third in the 68th minute from a cross by Jimmy Robertson.
Spurs were in control until a late recovery by Torquay. In an 83rd minute scramble in the Spurs box Ron Henry cleared the ball off the line but it fell to Stubbs to pull a goal back. Two minutes later, they were level when the centre forward scored again. In the final five minutes United piled forward in search of the winner but Spurs held out for the replay.
**[In the first game at Torquay – Tony Marchi had played in place of Eddie Clayton]
Jimmy Greaves is stopped in the first game in Torquay [Photo: Logan Holmes]