TOKANE ’EM
<M<IP B@:B# <M<IP >F8C# <M<IP >8D< Exiles ace eyes Wembley glory
MICKEY DEMETRIOU has already bowled at Lord’s – now he wants to hit Tottenham for six at Wembley.
The Newport defender had kept Harry Kane quiet until the England star tapped in an 82nd- minute equaliser to rescue a replay for the Premier League giants.
But Demetriou is now relishing the chance to tick off playing at another iconic sporting venue in the replay.
Experience
“I haven’t played at Wembley, but I have played cricket at Lord’s,” said the centre-half.
“If selected it will be a tick off the sheet.
“I grew up playing for my local team Findon Cricket Club in Sussex and we got through to the final of the National Village Cup.
“It is always played at Lord’s so that was a big experience for me as a 17-year-old.
“I was an all-rounder. I didn’t get to bat that day but I bowled a few overs. That was a great experience but this will be even bigger for me.
“Hopefully this will be another great experience if I can stay fit for these next two games and play at Wembley.”
The Exiles could have gone ahead in the fourth minute after Joss Labadie robbed Eric Dier, but Frank Nouble’s shot flew high and wide.
Rodney Parade erupted in the 38th minute when Padraig Amond rose highest to head in Robbie Willmott’s fine cross.
Dele Alli made an instant impact when he sent fellow substitute Heung-Min Son clear through on goal, but Newport goalkeeper Joe Day stuck out a leg to keep their lead intact.
But he was finally beaten with eight minutes left when Son flicked on a Kieran Trippier corner to find Kane unmarked at the back post.
“It says it all when you are disappointed that you’ve drawn with a Premier League team,” said Demetriou.
“We took them all the way but we dug deep to get a result and who knows what can happen in the replay. We wanted to play the big teams and we’ve done that, but we also got a result for the football team to give the club a massive boost.”
Kane believes their League Two opponents have proved they will not be going to Wembley just for a day out.
He said: “We thought they were starting to tire but they kept us there until the last 10 minutes and it started to get a bit worrying.
“But we got the goal, we’re still in the FA Cup and we should beat them at home – but we have to be right on it.” NEWPORT: (5-3-2): Day 7; Pipe 7, Demetriou 8, White 8, Bennett 7, Butler 7; Willmott 8, Tozer 7, LABADIE 9 (Dolan 84); Nouble 7, Amond 8 (McCoulsky 74). Subs: Bittner, Reid, O’Brien, Sheehan, Hayes. UP NEXT: Lincoln (a), League Two, tomorrow. TOTTENHAM (3-5-2): Vorm 6; Trippier 7, Foyth 5, Vertonghen 5; Walker-Peters 6 (Son 46, 7), Dier 5, Wanyama 6, Sissoko 7, Dembele 6 (Davies 81); Llorente 6 (Alli 66, 7), KANE 7. Subs: Sanchez, Gazzaniga, Georgiou, Oakley-Booth. UP NEXT: Manchester United (h), Premier League, Wednesday. Roger East 8. YOUR TURN: Which former Spurs favourite managed Newport from 2011-15?