Non-league Tamworth hand ex-Premier League Huddersfield FA Cup embarrassment thanks to 'Rory Delap re-gen'

Yesterday at 05:43 PM

Tamworth showed why the FA Cup matters as they saw off League One Huddersfield Town on Friday.

The League One side were in the Premier League just six years ago, but fast forward to today, and the Terriers have suffered a 1-0 defeat at non-league Tamworth.

And the home side’s winning goal has left fans reminiscing the days of Tony Pulis and Rory Delap at Stoke.

Just before half-time, Tamworth’s Tom Tonks left Huddersfield goalkeeper Chris Maxwell in a bundle on the floor.

But he was no where near Huddersfield’s box, but rather firing in a seriously long throw from the sidelines.

Just like Delap often did, Tonks did his best to go straight for goal with his throw.

And his daring effort paid off.

Tamworth’s players did well to leave little opportunity for Maxwell to keep out the oncoming ball, with it hitting him but still finding the back of the net on its way through.

The former Wrexham glovesman was left on the deck as his defenders called for a foul.

But the home side’s goal stood, and they made it count too, as Maxwell’s only goal was all they needed to reach the second round.

Fans on social media loved Tonks’ throw in, with one writing on X: “Move over Rory Delap!”

“Rory Delap re-gen,” a second wrote.

A third said: “A non-league side beating a league side on a plastic pitch in a cup game via a goal that came directly from a Rory Delap-style long throw is it?!”

There are 57 places between Huddersfield and Tamworth, with the latter playing in the National League, the fifth level of the English football league system.

Tamworth were already flying high after their promotion up to the fifth tier last term.

They currently sit 16th in the league.

Now, they’ve created another night for the history books.

Tonks’ effort earned him the Player of the Match reward, too.

Asked post-match whether he works on his throws, he laughed: “Not at all!”

1922 FA Cup winners Huddersfield, meanwhile, will be licking their wounds when they return to League One.

Despite being relegated last term, they sit seventh in the table.