Dale were knocked out of the FA Trophy on penalties by Tamworth at the fourth round stage.
Tyler Smith put Dale ahead in the first half, but Tamworth equalised in the final 20 minutes to take the tie to penalties, which Tamworth won.
Dale’s first game of 2026 saw a much-changed line-up from the last game of 2025, Tom Myles started in goal behind a back three of David Tutonda, Liam Hogan and Dan Moss. Bryce Hosannah and the returning Tarryn Allarakhia lined up on the wings, with a midfield two of Casey Pettit and Jake Burger. Aidan Barlow, Tyler Smith and Ian Henderson completed the starting eleven.
Dale felt they should have been awarded a penalty inside the first five minutes when Smith looked to have been tripped, but the referee waved away his claim.
Tamworth had a few half-chances to open the scoring early on, with Myles turning Oliver Lynch’s shot wide, before Lynch and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd sent shots off target.
Hosannah was inches away from getting on the end of a Burger cross at the back post with the goal at his mercy, but just overran the delivery.
Myles had to be equal to Ben Acquaye’s shot at the other end.
Just minutes before the half-time break, the opening goal did come. Burger sent a great through ball to Smith, who took a fine touch out of his feet into the area and shot low between the goalkeeper’s legs.
Tom Tonks hit the side netting in added time.
Tamworth had a number of half-chances after the break, Lynch and Ben Acquaye shot off target, whilst Myles saved shots from Jordan Ponticelli and Cullinane-Liburd.
Half-time Dale substitute Joe Pritchard shot into the side netting.
Tamworth pulled level through Acquaye’s fine strike. He shot into the top corner from the edge of the area after Pritchard had done well to clear off the line.
Ponticelli and Cullinane-Liburd hit further shots off target, as did second-half substitute Anthony Gomez-Mancini for Dale.
The tie entered a penalty shootout, and Matt Curley sealed the win for Tamworth and their place in the fifth round.
Tamworth: Singh, Curley, Tonks, Digie, Bates (Lissimore, 85’), Fairlamb, Mols, Cullinane-Liburd, Acquaye (Donkor, 85’), Lynch, Ponticelli.
Unused substitutes: Rye, Rachel, Donkor, Wyatt, Lissimore, Hollis, Brown.
Scorers: Acquaye.
Rochdale: Myles, Tutonda, Hogan, Allarakhia (Pritchard, 46’), Pettit ©, Barlow, Burger, Moss, Hosannah (Waller, 67’), Smith (Gomez-Mancini, 67’), Henderson (McBride, 67’).
Unused substitutes: Lillis, Done.
Scorers: Smith.
Attendance: 534 (44 away).
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