1878 Welsh Cup final explained

1878 Football Association of Wales Challenge Cup Final
Event:	1877–78 Welsh Cup
Team1:	Wrexham
Team1score:	1
Team2:	Druids
Team2score:	0
Stadium:	Acton Park
City:	Wrexham
Referee:	J.W. Thomas (Stoke)
Attendance:	1,500
Next:	1879

The 1878 Welsh Cup Final, was the first in the competition. It was contested by Wrexham and Druids at the Acton Park, Wrexham.^[1]

Route to the final

Wrexham

!Round!Opposition!Score!Location

1st	Civil Service (Wrexham) (H)	3-1	The Racecourse, Wrexham
2nd	Oswestry United (H)	1-1	The Racecourse, Wrexham
	Oswestry United (A)	2-0	Cricket Field, Oswestry
3rd	Gwersyllt Foresters (A)	8-0	Stansty Park, Wrexham
SF	Bye

Druids

!Round!Opposition!Score!Location

1st	Newtown (A)	1-1
	Newtown (H)	4-0	Plas Madoc
2nd	Rhosllanerchrugog (H)	3-0	Plas Madoc
3rd	Newtown White Stars (H)	1-1	Plas Madoc
	Newtown White Stars (A)	1-1
	Newtown White Stars (N)	3-0	Cricket Field, Oswestry
SF	Bangor (N)	0-0	The Racecourse, Wrexham
		1-0	Rhyl

Final

The final of the inaugural Welsh Cup tournament was played at Acton Park, Wrexham on 30 March 1878 between Wrexham and Druids of Ruabon. The pitch was donated by Sir R. A. Cunliffe, and was a roped off portion of land measuring 120 yards by 76. Entrance was gained via Rhosnessney Lodge^[2] with sixpence being charged for admission. The match was a cliffhanger, with no score until the Wrexham forwards charged the Druids' defenders to take the ball over the line to win the game in the final minute, with James Davies being credited with the goal.^{[3] [4]}

width=25 GK Edward Phennah FB Charles Murless FB T.W. Davies HB E. Evans HB Edwin Alfred Cross HB Alfred Davies FW Charles Edwards FW E. Evans FW James Davies FW John Price FW Henry Loxham

width=25 ! width=25 GK E. Roberts FB Llewelyn Kenrick FB Jack Powell HB William Williams HB H. Morris FW John Jones FW George Frederick Thompson FW Edward Bowen FW E. Vaughan FW Dr. Daniel Grey FW Charles Ketley

Assistant referees: Mr J.M. Morris (Shrewsbury) Mr T. Hingle (Darwen)

Notes and References

1. Web site: THE WELSH CHALLENGE CUP - Wrexham Guardian - Welsh Newspapers. newspapers.library.wales.
2. Web site: Welsh Newspapers Online Advertising 23 March 1878 Wrexham Guardian - Welsh Newspapers Online. newspapers.library.wales. en. 2017-12-20.
3. Web site: 1877 Welsh Cup Action . The Story of Welsh Football: 1877-1879 . www.wrexham.gov.uk. 24 February 2010.
4. Book: Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players . Davies . Gareth . Garland . Ian . 1991 . Bridge Books . 1-872424-11-2. 38.