Huddersfield Town manager Michael Duff tore into his players after they crashed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle with a 1-0 defeat against non-league Tamworth.
The Terriers entered the game as heavy favourites. They were competing in the first round for the first time since 2011 following their relegation from the Championship last season. Their opponents entered the game 16th in the National League, although earned their spot in the fifth tier after securing back-to-back promotions over the last couple of years.
Early Dominance Thwarted By Long Throws
As expected, Huddersfield dominated the ball in the early exchanges but struggled to break down Tamworth’s back line. As the half went on, the hosts grew into the game and looked the most likely to score.
The deadlock was broken in bizarre fashion just before half time and it went the way of the non-league side. Tom Tonks had caused havoc throughout the first period with his long throw, and it was this weapon which eventually secured the first and only goal of the night. The midfielder launched the ball into the penalty area, and it looked as it if may sail straight in. However, stand-in goalkeeper Chris Maxwell flapped and eventually guided the ball into his own net to send the home support into delirium.
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Duff Fails To Hide Anger
Michael Duff spoke before the game that he was hoping to avoid the headlines over the weekend. Following the defeat, he was quick to criticise his players, pointing out that they will now be ‘all over the papers’. Via Yorkshire Post, the 46-year-old said:
“Not good enough. Outrun, outfought, outbattled, beaten by a better team in the end. Started the game really poorly, concede a goal from the obvious threat, no quality in our play, every cross went in the keeper’s hands.
“We’ll be all over the papers tomorrow for all the wrong reasons. I said to the players in the meeting room, ‘make sure your heads are right’, and they clearly weren’t.
“There’s no excuses. We’ve played three different formations, we’ve had a lot of the ball but not sure the keeper has made enough saves, and if we’d have started the game like we did from the 80th minute onwards we’d have been all right, but we didn’t.”
Writer’s View
The FA Cup is famous for producing upsets and this one looked a potential banana skin from the moment the draw was made. Duff spoke a good game prior to the fixture, but his players played as though securing the win was a formality. It’s a harsh lesson to learn and one they need to take on the chin if they are hoping to maintain a promotion push in League One this season.
Head of Writing
