THE “non-league Rory Delap” caused utter mayhem in an FA Cup giantkilling.
But should the goal have been allowed to stand?
Just like Delap at Stoke under Tony Pulis, Tom Tonks has made a name for himself at Tamworth thanks to his sheer ability to launch a football further than most players can kick it.
Speaking to SunSport before the Lambs’ FA Cup first-round clash with Huddersfield, Tonks said: “I’ve been hurling in throw-ins since primary school.
“I can see it in the faces of opposing defenders and goalies — they absolutely hate it.”
And so it proved in Friday night’s FA Cup upset as the National League side dumped out their League One opposition – with Tonks having a huge hand in it.
The only goal of the game came just before half-time after the hosts won a throw-in.
That man Tonks went over to take it and fired in a trademark monster throw-in.
The midfielder, 33, gave the delivery a huge amount of air time as he went for the aerial approach and dropped it in right in the mixer.
And the confusion and congestion inside the six-yard box meant it was utter bedlam as the ball came down.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
So much so that Terriers goalkeeper Chris Maxwell went to punch the ball clear as he desperately backpedalled.
But he only succeeded in knocking it into his own net before tumbling to the floor.
The Tamworth players wheeled away in celebration that their super tactic had worked once again.
However, the Huddersfield men immediately appealed to the referee.
And replays suggested they may have had a case as it appeared Tamworth striker Dan Creaney caught Maxwell in the head with a wayward hand.
Some even reckoned it may have been a punch to distract the goalkeeper.
But with no VAR and the referee happy, the goal was allowed to stand and Tamworth recorded a famous FA Cup win.
One fan said: “This is why the FA Cup is the best, part-timers Tamorth get through with a long throw! Magic of the cup!”
Another wrote: “That’s what makes the FA Cup so magical! Nothing like a surprise long throw specialist to shake things up. Rory Delap would be proud — looking forward to seeing more of those epic throws!”
A third added: “I’m crying, Tamworth have just scored goal of the century.”
But a fourth replied: “Love a cup upset but… that’s a foul.”
A fifth responded: “What about the punch on the goalkeeper?”
And a final user commented: “I’m not the only one that saw the Tamworth player punching the Huddersfield keeper when they scored their goal right?!”
8
8
8
8
8
8
Who are these famous footballers?
