Tipton goalkeeper's 'Hand of God'

Tipton Town goalkeeper Matt Sargeant has given the 'Hand of God' a whole new meaning as he prepares for the biggest day of his life.

For the 21-year-old IT technician's most pressing concern is not coping with Carlisle's forward line.

It's the stress of the FA Cup first-round tie coinciding with his girlfriend's 21st birthday celebrations!

Thankfully, the Chasetown-based former Scholars reserve's Christian faith has helped ease a potential headache.

He saidL "It's my girlfriend Kyrie's birthday this weekend and I'd planned a surprise party to celebrate then to take her shopping as a treat.

"But when we got through to play this game, we couldn't have the party. So I've been more stressed about that than Carlisle because it meant I had to cancel the party.

"Anyway, I received a £50 tax refund out of the blue from when I worked at Curry's four years ago and I put that towards a hotel stay for Kyrie's birthday - so I feel someone up there is looking after me.

"Now all the family are going up to Carlisle, so we'll go shopping and sightseeing on the Sunday and maybe see the Lakes as well."

Religion has played a big part in the 6ft 3ins goalkeeper's life for a while now, as a regular worshipper at Beacon community church in Chase Terrace.

He said: "I always pray before a game- I might pray to keep a clean sheet for example, but even if it doesn't happen, I feel as if I'm in God's hands.

"Whether I have the worst game of my life and people get on my back, or get named man of the match in the best game I've ever played, I always feel God is in control.

"I first started going to church around four years ago when I was 18. I used to see my dad Mervyn coming back from church and he was so cheerful, so I just thought there was more to life than going out drinking and smoking.

"People crave the latest clothes and material things in life and I've got an X-Box and a nice car.

"But being brought up in a Christian family, I've seen things that have changed peoples' lives. When I have put my trust in God, things have happened.

"Three or four months ago, my grandad died after suffering from cancer and leukaemia.

"Four times we were called to the hospital because they thought he wouldn't pull through, but he did.

"But in the end he was suffering so much that my dad and I prayed his suffering would end because it wasn't fair, and he died the next day.

"Then there's the £50 tax refund, which has really helped with the extra expense of Kyrie's birthday.

"Things have happened to me in games, too. I was elbowed by a defender in one game recently, and punched in the side of the head in the fourth qualifying roun.

"People thought I must be hurt, but I've hardly felt a thing.

"As for this game, I feel as long as I concentrate, I'm in safe hands."

Despite his tender years, Sargeant has more of a cup pedigree than most of his team-mates, as part of the Chasetown squad that amazed the nation by reaching the third round before losing to Cardiff in 2008.

But he never got to play, so the trip to Brunton Park will be the biggest game of his career.

He said: "I suppose I've been involved in bigger FA Cup ties at Chasetown when we beat Port Vale in the second round and then played Cardiff in the third.

"But I wasn't really involved then - I got on the bench but I didn't get chance to show what I could do.

"This time I'm playing regularly and really feel a part of things.

"I'm primed to play having played all through the run so far."

As for Tipton's chances, Sargeant is happy to leave their fate in the lap of the gods.

He said: "It's 11 versus 11 - it's like as if we were playing a Premier League side.

"We're not worried about it at all, we're going to enjoy it and we've got nothing to lose."