Goals from Jack Taylor and Charlie Cummins ensured Exeter City's place in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town.
The Grecians journeyed North to the Accu Stadium a week on from their defeat at the hands of Salford City in Sky Bet League Two as they begun their 2026/27 Emirates FA Cup campaign with a visit to Huddersfield Town; the team sat of the third tier.
With the absence of City club captain Jack Fitzwater, manager Matt Taylor named Ed James alongside Jack Taylor in the back line of the Grecian defence, days on from the news of the academy graduate's contract extension. Ethan Sutherland also found a spot in the starting lineup in place of Anthony Scully.
Kick-off
The hosts enjoyed the first half chance of the encounter, when Lynden Gooch crossed to the back post towards Jay Sway who looked to head the ball across the face of goal, though Jack Bycroft was quick to claim the ball and stop the attack in its tracks.
Matt Taylor's men responded just short of the ten minute mark, when Charlie Cummins' throw in high up the left side of the pitch eventually fell to the feet of Luca Woodhouse. The City defender crossed to the back post where Jack Taylor arrived on the scene at the perfect moment to calmly poke the ball past Matty Young and open both the scoreline and his account in red & white.
Quickly on the hunt for an equaliser, Ashley Fletcher led the line for the Terriers and tested Bycroft with a shot towards the bottom-right corner. Bycroft palmed the ball away from danger and despite the hosts winning a corner from the resultant clearance, the City back line held firm to defend the set piece.
Two consecutive Huddersfield corner kicks came with the clock approaching the half-hour mark, and Town captain Ryan Ledson came close with the latter when he rose high at the back post however pointed his effort narrowly wide. Cameron Humphreys followed suit minutes later when he was played through on goal, however he will have been frustrated with his effort which rolled wide of the post.
With ten minutes left on the clock until the break, Samson Tovide battled with Woodhouse on the edge of the City penalty area. The Huddersfield attacker came out on top and shot hard towards the top left, though Bycroft pulled off a superb save to parry the ball away at full stretch.
The Grecians saw the last close chance of the half, when Sonny Cox jumped to meet a cross at the near post from Lakyle Samuel, though the young striker's effort was just inches high of the crossbar. After a single minute of added time, referee Matthew Russell brought an end to another encouraging half of football from Matt Taylor's side.
With less than five minutes played in the second 45, the hosts won a free kick in a dangerous area just outside of the City penalty area where Humphreys stepped forward and shot towards goal, though his effort was deflected behind for an early corner. The ball was swung into the penalty area, however a foul on Bycroft stopped the play dead.
Another corner came quickly after, and this time the home side were able to capitalise when Sway pounced on the ball at the back post and drew his side level ten minutes into the half.
Sporting the captains armband in place of Jack Fitzwater, Reece Cole stepped up to take a free kick in an inviting position on the edge of the Town penalty area. A driven effort from the City midfielder forced Young into evasive action as he leapt up and tipped the ball over at the far post and despite the subsequent corner kick, the Huddersfield defence held firm.
With little under half-an-hour left, an unfortunate slip from Woodhouse afforded Humphreys a shot from 25-yards out, though the Town man will have been frustrated with his effort which was all too easy for Bycroft.
In a bid to re-establish the City lead, George Birch got on the end of a neat through ball and dribbled to the edge of the Huddersfield penalty area. The youngster assessed his options and chose to go alone, yet his effort was placed just high of the target.
In the fallout of a free kick for the Grecians, Birch looped a cross into the Town penalty area where Samuel was waiting. The Manchester City loanee rose high to head the ball towards goal, though his attempt again forced Young to tip behind.
The Grecians continued to test the Town defence going into the final ten minutes, and their efforts were rewarded. A cheeky nutmeg from Ed James found Cole on the edge of the box who picked out Cummins in the danger zone where the Irishman confidently struck his effort into the top left and put his side ahead once more.
The late strike from Cummins proved to be the decisive goal, when after three minutes of added time the full-time whistle blew and confirmed the Grecians' place in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Up Next
The Grecians return to league action on Saturday, 14 November as they host Cheltenham Town in a 12:30pm kick-off at St James Park. Tickets are available now, with more information available by clicking the image below.
Match Details
Huddersfield Town Starting XI
Young (GK), Ledson (C) (Brierley 46'), Low, Gooch (Ashia 58'), Harness, Fletcher (Taylor 79'), Balker (Sorensen 58'), Bowat, Humphreys, Sway, Samson (Mumba 46')
Huddersfield Town Unused Subs
Alnwick (GK), Taylor, Kasumu, Roughan, Fernandes
Exeter City Starting XI
Bycroft (GK), Samuel, Woodhouse, Taylor, Cole (C) (Harper 85'), Kite, Cummins, Cox (Gordon 75'), Birch (Perry 89'), Sutherland, James
Exeter City Unused Subs
Phillips (GK), Matthews, Oakes, Williams, Cayless
Exeter City Goalscorers
Taylor (12'), Cummins (81')