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Tamworth upset former winners Huddersfield to claim a place in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup

Posted on by Larry
Tamworth upset former winners Huddersfield to claim a place in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup

National League Tamworth suffered their first defeat of the Emirates FA Cup first round with a 1-0 win over League One Huddersfield.

Tom Tonks’ throw-in caused the Terriers problems from minute one and it was his rocket on the stroke of half-time that proved the difference between the teams.

Tonks aimed twice in the opening minutes at The Lamb Ground as the hosts made an impressive start, but it was Town’s Tom Iorpenda who came closest to opening the scoring early on with a shot that whistled past the upright.

Michael Duff’s side then came close through Ollie Turton and Bojan Radulović, but Tamworth steadily grew into the match and felt they could have had a penalty after another threatening tonks throw.

Dan Creaney then headed over from a difficult angle as Tamworth continued to ask trouble from the City backline, but as half-time approached Jasbir Singh had to be alert to deny Iorpenda from close range.

The away side came to regret that missed opportunity moments later when another throw from Tonks ultimately ended in a goal, as ‘keeper Chris Maxwell could only poke his net amid a crowd of bodies.

Town pressed on after the break but struggled to create too many clear-cut chances.

During half-time, Callum Marshall fired a shot wide and Ben Wiles drilled over goal in the dying moments, but Tamworth held on to secure a memorable win.

In Friday night’s other match, Notts County came from a goal down to secure an emphatic 5-1 win over Alfreton Town at Meadow Lane.

After an energetic start between the high flyers of League Two and the National League, it was the underdogs who struck first.

Liam Waldock reacted quickest to a blocked Jake Day shot, stroking home from twelve yards to delight the departing fans.

Their joy was short-lived, however, as the hosts hit back just two minutes later after Matty Platt’s speculative effort from distance took a deflection that spun past helpless Reds goalkeeper George Willis.

Josh Martin fired a few shots from distance but Alfreton enjoyed his own moments of promise before the break, with Adam Lund causing problems in open play and from long throws.

It didn’t take long for County to take the lead after the break and show their class with a neat move on the edge of the penalty area.

After a low cross from Jevani Brown, County’s top scorer Alassana Jatta fired home for his first of the evening.

That proved to be a turning point as County confirmed their dominance and after being denied once by Willis, Gambian Jatta converted a one-on-one opportunity to put daylight between the sides.

It was then the Brown show late as he scored his first two goals for his new club. The first came from the penalty spot after Ryley Reynolds was fouled before the Bristol Rovers loanee smashed home a rebound from Kellan Gordon’s parried effort to add some extra sparkle to the scoreline.