1878 Welsh Cup final

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

The Wrexham team which won the first Welsh Cup in 1878. The team are pictured without the trophy, as it was not ready until a year later.

1878 Football Association of Wales Challenge Cup Final

Event	1877–78 Welsh Cup
Wrexham Druids 1 0
Date	30 March 1878 (1878-03-30)
Venue	Acton Park, Wrexham
Referee	J.W. Thomas (Stoke)
Attendance	1,500
1879 →

Route to the final

^[1]

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.^[1] 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]

Wrexham	1 – 0	Druids
James Davies 90'

30 March 1878
16:00

Acton Park, Wrexham

Attendance: 1,500

Referee: Mr J.W. Thomas (Stoke)

Wrexham[5]

Druids

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

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)

References

1. "THE WELSH CHALLENGE CUP - Wrexham Guardian - Welsh Newspapers". newspapers.library.wales.
2. "Welsh Newspapers Online Advertising 23 March 1878 Wrexham Guardian - Welsh Newspapers Online". newspapers.library.wales. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
3. "1877 Welsh Cup Action". The Story of Welsh Football: 1877-1879. www.wrexham.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
4. Davies, Gareth; Garland, Ian (1991). Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players. Bridge Books. p. 38. ISBN 1-872424-11-2.
5. "Welsh Football Association Challenge Cup". The Cambrian: 6. 5 April 1878. gives Wrexham's colours as blue and red jerseys and stockings