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After
Wolves had won the Cup in 1893, the club's chairman had obtained
permission from the Football Association to present each player with a
ten-inch high silver replica of the trophy. One of these models was used
as a copy for the new Cup.
The
first club to win the new trophy were Sheffield Wednesday,
semi-finalists in the previous two seasons, and their opponents were
Wolves, now disputing their third Final in eight seasons.
The
hero of a fierce match was Wednesday's outside-left Spiksley, and once
again the Crystal Palace crowd saw a very early goal. In just over a
minute a brilliant run by Davis and Spiksley ended with the latter
giving Wednesday the lead, but Black quickly hooked in an equalizer for
Wolves from close to the post.
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Tommy Crawshaw.
Sheffield Wednesday Centre Half.
Played in two Cup Finals 11 years apart (1896 & 1907). |
Wednesday,
however, were not to be subdued, and before half-time Spiksley put them
ahead again with a terrific shot that hit an upright on its way into the
net. The ball had in fact been hit with such force that it rebounded
into the field of play before Tennant realized where the shot had gone.
It was only after the final whistle had been blown, and he had asked the
Wednesday captain where the replay was going to be. that the Wolves
goalkeeper learnt that two shots had beaten him that afternoon.
Wednesday
were never really expected to reach the Final, not being exceptionally
strong in the League, yet they always managed to rise to the occasion in
the Cup. At their Olive Grove ground they were reckoned invincible in a
cup-tie. In the Final they had the advantage of Spiksley's early goal.
However, with a few minutes remaining of one of the best Finals for
several years and Wednesday 2—1 in the lead. Wolves came back into the
game and forced Wednesday on to the defensive, bombarding Massey with
shot after shot.
Wednesday's
play deteriorated in the last quarter of an hour, excitement getting the
better of some of their players, but they were still able to make two
breakaways, and Brady hit the crossbar in one of them. |