Tamworth Make History! | Burton Albion 1-1 (3-4 Pens) Tamworth | Emirates FA Cup 2025

Tamworth Make History! | Burton Albion 1-1 (3-4 Pens) Tamworth | Emirates FA Cup 2025

In one of the most dramatic and historic FA Cup matches of the 2025 edition, Tamworth pulled off a stunning upset by defeating Burton Albion in a thrilling penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time. The match, played at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium, was packed with tension, excitement, and edge-of-your-seat moments, culminating in Tamworth’s 4-3 penalty win to secure a spot in the next round of the Emirates FA Cup.

This is a match that will go down in Tamworth’s history, as they shocked the footballing world by knocking out a League One side with a mixture of resilience, composure under pressure, and pure heart.

The Match: A Hard-Fought 1-1 Draw

The game kicked off with Burton Albion playing in front of their home crowd, and they were the clear favorites to win this First Round encounter. As a League One team, they were expected to dominate the match, and they certainly showed their intent early on, putting pressure on Tamworth, a team from the National League North.

The first half saw Burton Albion create several chances, but Tamworth goalkeeper Maxwell Brown was in inspired form. The shot-stopper made crucial saves to keep his side in the game, including a brilliant save from Joe Powell, who had a chance from close range.

Despite Burton’s dominance, the Lambs stood firm, defending resolutely and soaking up the pressure. Tamworth’s defense, led by captain Aaron Howe, showed incredible composure and tactical discipline, denying Burton Albion any clear-cut opportunities.

Then, in the 43rd minute, Tamworth shocked everyone with a well-executed counter-attack. Striker James McMillan, who had been relatively quiet in the game up until then, found himself on the ball and launched a dangerous run toward the Burton Albion penalty box. McMillan showed great composure, cutting inside and delivering a clever ball to Ryan Shaw, who slotted the ball home calmly to give Tamworth a surprise lead just before the break.

The Burton Albion fans were stunned, while Tamworth supporters were in ecstasy. The goal gave the visitors an unexpected edge, but it also forced Burton Albion to push forward even more desperately in the second half.

Burton Albion’s Equalizer

The second half saw Burton Albion come out all guns blazing. Manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink made changes, introducing fresh legs to try and break down Tamworth’s defense. The pressure eventually paid off in the 60th minute when Joe Powell sent in a perfect cross into the box, which found Darragh Lenihan in acres of space. The Burton captain rose above the Tamworth defenders and headed the ball into the back of the net to bring Burton Albion level at 1-1.

The goal sent the Pirelli Stadium into a frenzy, as it looked like Burton Albion would now take control of the match. However, Tamworth wasn’t ready to roll over. They continued to defend bravely, with Brown continuing to pull off some key saves to keep the game level. McMillan and Shaw also had a few chances to retake the lead on the counter, but Burton's defense held firm.

The final stages of regular time were filled with tension, as both teams pushed for a winner, but neither could find the breakthrough. The referee’s whistle blew, and the game went to extra time, with Tamworth still very much in the hunt for an upset.

Penalty Shootout: Tamworth’s Moment of Glory

With the score still locked at 1-1 after extra time, the match was decided by a penalty shootout, and this is where the drama truly unfolded.

Burton Albion, who had the home advantage, were the favorites to win the shootout, but Tamworth’s composure under pressure was extraordinary.

• Burton Albion’s Joe Powell stepped up first and confidently converted his penalty to give his side the early advantage.
• Tamworth’s Ryan Shaw, however, was quick to respond, calmly slotting his penalty to make it 1-1.

Burton Albion’s Charlie Lakin and Tamworth’s James McMillan both scored their penalties with ease. But then, Tamworth goalkeeper Maxwell Brown became the hero, stepping up to take the fourth penalty for his side. Brown coolly slotted his penalty past Burton’s goalkeeper, Ben Garratt, to give Tamworth the 3-2 advantage.

It was now down to Burton Albion to score their final two penalties to force extra kicks. Darragh Lenihan and Kieran Wallace stepped up but were both denied by Maxwell Brown, whose saves were impeccable.

As the fifth and final penalty was taken by Tamworth’s Adam Priestley, the tension was unbearable. Priestley’s composed finish sent Tamworth fans into raptures as the ball hit the back of the net, securing an incredible 4-3 penalty win and an unforgettable victory for Tamworth.

Tamworth Make History

With the final whistle blown and the penalty shootout concluded, Tamworth FC had made history. Their 1-1 draw followed by a 4-3 penalty win over Burton Albion will forever be a part of the club's legacy in the FA Cup.

Tamworth’s remarkable victory was a true underdog story, as they knocked out a League One team in dramatic fashion. Their defense was resolute, their finishing clinical, and their penalty-taking composed under pressure. The victory will go down in history as one of the most memorable FA Cup upsets of 2025, and one that will be spoken about by Tamworth’s supporters for years to come.

Conclusion: A True FA Cup Classic

The 2025 Emirates FA Cup continues to provide moments of magic, and Tamworth’s victory over Burton Albion is one of the standout stories so far. From their first-half shock lead to their dogged defense, and ultimately their victory in the penalty shootout, it was a performance filled with heart, passion, and a determination to cause an upset.

As the competition progresses, it will be hard to forget Tamworth’s historic win, and they will surely be the team everyone wants to avoid in the next round. This match is the epitome of what makes the FA Cup so special—anything can happen, and on any given day, the underdog can rise to the occasion.