A real, true Cup upset happened at the Galpharm Stadium on a cold January afternoon when a winning second-half goal from Chris Brandon saw off Premiership Birmingham City. Luke Beckett had given the Terriers a first-half lead before Garry O'Connor equalised, but so many Town players excelled to make this a special day for Town fans everywhere.
Town lined up in a 4-5-1 formation as the game got underway, with 'keeper Matt Glennon protected by a back four of Robbie Williams, David Mirfin, Frank Sinclair and somewhat surprisingly Michael Collins. James Berrett made his full debut in central midfield alongside skipper Andy Holdsworth and Danny Schofield, with Malvin Kamara and Chris Brandon on the right and left wings respectively. Luke Beckett was charged with leading the line for the Terriers.
Berrett started the game brightly with much encouragement from the vocal Town crowd - one crunching tackle on England under-21 international Fabrice Muamba in the centre circle getting picked out for particular praise.
GOAL - The Terriers then took an early fourth minute lead through Luke Beckett, the striker getting his seventh of the season. Danny Schofield picked up a loose ball just inside the Birmingham half before advancing and brushing off Jaidi; he played a clever one-two with Chris Brandon inside the box before shooting across 'keeper Maik Taylor - the 'keeper spilled the shot straight into the path of Beckett, who tapped home from three yards to send the home crowd into ecstasy.
Birmingham were visibly shaken after going behind and they struggled to pass the ball effectively. Town were defending brilliantly at times, with Robbie Williams and Frank Sinclair impressing early as the game turned into a battle for midfield dominance.
Berrett's composure on the ball was amazing considering his debut was coming against international-class opposition and he was competing well alongside the equally impressive Schofield and Holdsworth.
Birmingham did threaten though and one ball over the top allowed Mikael Forssell to turn David Mirfin in the box, with Matt Glennon needed to make a smothering save at the near post.
Schofield was inspired in the opening quarter of the game and seemed at home in his role just behind Luke Beckett.
GOAL - However, Birmingham equalised in the 19th minute through Garry O'Connor. Winger Daniel De Ridder broke with the ball from a Town corner and released Fabrice Muamba in on goal, who out-strengthed Robbie Williams before trying to slide the ball into the corner. Matt Glennon made a great save low to his left side, but the Scottish striker slid home the rebound from the penalty spot to level the scores.
The Blues had the ball in the net again four minutes later when O'Connor turned home a cross from De Ridder, but the assistant referee was immediately flagging as the former Lokomotiv Moscow striker was offside.
Town were coming under a bit of pressure now, with the pacy De Ridder impressing on the left wing for the visitors.
BOOKING - Chris Brandon became the first player to enter the book on the stroke of the half hour when he mistimed a challenge a Muamba by the touchline.
Malvin Kamara beat full-back Franck Queudrue and put a low ball across the box a minute later that 'keeper Maik Taylor took excellently after a good break orchestrated by Andy Holdsworth.
BOOKING - Kamara's pace was causing the French defender problems and Queudrue was booked after 34 minutes for bringing down the Town winger having been turned.
From the free-kick, Williams put a great swinging ball into the far post where Chris Brandon headed the ball towards goal. Taylor made a good save from close range and Brandon put the follow up into the side netting.
De Ridder wasted a Birmingham break with five minutes of the half left when he blazed a shot way over Matt Glennon's bar from the edge of the box with men in good positions to pass to, but Town were more than holding their own against their more illustrious opposition as the half came to a close.
Half-Time: Huddersfield Town 1 Birmingham City 1
SUB - Andy Ritchie made a change during the interval, replacing Robbie Williams with Joe Skarz at left-back.
Town had an early scare when Mikael Forssell found a good position just inside the box to receive the ball, but the Finnish striker shot straight at Matt Glennon.
The home side had the wind behind them in the second-half and tried to press their Premiership opponents early - one great run and cross from substitute Skarz saw Andy Holdsworth scuff a volley up into the air when he was in a good position.
The Terriers were having the best of the second-half in the first ten minutes, although the powerful Muamba was always a danger when breaking from midfield. James Berrett did well to clear the ball when he set off on one such run after 53 minutes.
Matt Glennon made a good save from a Garry O'Connor snapshot from the edge of the box in the 58th minute as the away side started to enjoy some possession, but Town - led by energetic Captain Holdsworth - were proving hard to break down and combative all over the field of play.
SUB - Huddersfield-born Cameron Jerome - who had been getting a negative reaction from the home crowd during his warm-up - was introduced to the game after 62 minutes, replacing Mikael Forssell.
Matt Glennon was quick to come off his line to quell one attack as O'Connor broke the offside trap four minutes later, but Town were coming under some sustained pressure for the first time in the game.
BOOKING - Joe Skarz was shown a yellow card in the 72nd minute after De Ridder beat him to a ball and the Town Academy graduate brought him down.
BOOKING - Danny Schofield fouled a Birmingham player by the touchline two minutes later, but Blues skipper Liam Ridgewell reacted by pushing Schofield and earned himself a needless booking.
BOOKING - James Berrett was then correctly cautioned in the 76th minute for a challenge from behind just as midfielder Sebastien Larsson was winding up a shot from 25 yards.
BOOKING - Gary McSheffrey then followed Berrett into the book for a foul on Malvin Kamara.
SUB - Loanee Phil Jevons was introduced to the game in the 79th minute, replacing Kamara. This change saw Schofield move to the right wing and Jevons play just off Luke Beckett.
GOAL - Town then scored a second goal in the 82nd minute - a first of the season for Chris Brandon. The move started just inside Town's half, when Michael Collins collected a loose ball before passing to Schofield; he played a lovely ball down the channel for Luke Beckett, whose deep cross evaded a Town player at the near post but fell to the lively winger on the volley who gleefully smashed it home at the far post.
De Ridder lifted a harmless free-kick towards the Town goal after a Frank Sinclair foul on Jerome with five minutes left just as Andy Holdsworth was rightly announced as the sponsor's Man of the Match - the Town Captain had not put a foot wrong all afternoon.
Rahdi Jaidi headed a McSheffrey corner just over the bar when under pressure from David Mirfin with three minutes remaining as Town held on valiantly.
Then, at 4.54, just after Matt Glennon had taken a corner with real class, referee Tanner blew his whistle to cue the biggest cheer of the season at the Galpharm!
Huddersfield Town
Matt Glennon, Andy Holdsworth (c), Michael Collins, David Mirfin, Chris Brandon, Robbie Williams (Joe Skarz 46), Danny Schofield, Frank Sinclair, Malvin Kamara (Phil Jevons 79), Luke Beckett, James Berrett
Unused Subs: Alex Smithies, Matthew Young, Shane Killock
Bookings: Chris Brandon 30, Joe Skarz 72, James Berrett 76
Attendance: 13,410
Visitors: 2,300
