1886 FA Cup Final: Blackburn Rovers vs West Bromwich Albion

Match Report

Blackburn had reached the Final for a third time by virtue of a narrow 2-1 victory against Swifts in the semi-final. Their opponents this time were West Bromwich, who showed their mettle as cup fighters from the moment they set foot on the Oval pitch.

Few gave Albion a chance that day, but there was a shock in store for everyone, the Rovers included, for the match finished goalless. In fact, had it not been for some great defensive work by Suter, Turner and Arthur in Rovers' goal, Albion would certainly have won.

Rovers' excuse for a below-par display was that the team had got cold watching the Boat Race in the morning, had had to miss lunch, and left themselves barely enough time to drive to Kennington and get changed before the Final kicked-off. Rovers, in fact, very nearly won in the closing minutes when Fecitt's shot glanced a fraction the wrong side of a post.

The replay took place at the Derby County cricket ground, and for the first time the Cup was fought for and won outside London. Snow had fallen all through the morning of the match, only ceasing shortly before the kick-off, and yet a 12,000 crowd gathered to see the game.

Rovers, now with Walton in for Heyes, led at half-time with a goal by Sowerbutts, scored after twenty-six minutes as a result of a raid in which Walton and Fecitt were prominent. The same player again beat Roberts, but the Rovers players made no appeal for a goal. thinking him offside. Later it transpired that the referee would have been willing to allow the goal to stand, as Sowerbutts had been played on by an Albion defender.

Albion, with their famous rushing tactics, fought like demons, and constantly harried Arthur in the Rovers goal. At a time when Albion were striving hard for an equalizer, a memorable goal by centre-forward Jimmy Brown clinched victory for Rovers with seventeen minutes to go. An Albion attack broke down and Brown collected a pass from M'lntyre well inside his own half, and suddenly set off on a run for goal. He dribbled past man after man and at last slipped the ball between the Albion posts for a wonderful individualist goal.