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1907–08 FA Cup
The 1907–08 FA Cup was the 37th staging of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (more usually known as the FA Cup). Wolverhampton Wanderers won the competition for the second time, beating Newcastle United 3–1 in the final at Crystal Palace. Matches were scheduled to be played at the stadium of the team named first on the date specified for each round, which was always a Saturday. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played, a replay would take place at the stadium of the second-named team later the same week. If the replayed match was drawn further replays would be held at neutral venues until a winner was determined. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played in a replay, a 30-minute period of extra time would be played. Thirteen of the First Division's twenty clubs were defeated by lower division opposition; this figure remains a record number for a single season. Three of the four semi finalists were from outside the elite division and the cup itself was won by a second-tier club.[1] CalendarThe format of the FA Cup for the season had a preliminary round, five qualifying rounds, four proper rounds, and the semi-finals and final.
Qualifying roundsThe 12 clubs winning through to the main competition from the fifth qualifying round were Glossop, Chesterfield and Oldham Athletic from the Football League Second Division, along with non-league sides Woking, Rotherham Town, Carlisle United, Stockton, Coventry City, Hastings & St Leonards United, Northampton Town, New Brompton and Worksop Town. Owing to the uneven number of clubs contesting the fifth qualifying round (23), Worksop Town received a bye to progress straight through to the first round proper. Woking, Carlisle United, Coventry City and Worksop were featuring in the main draw for the first time, while Rotherham Town had last appeared at this stage in 1887-88 (before folding in 1896 and being reconstituted three years later). The winner of the previous season's FA Amateur Cup, Clapton, were not as fortunate as their predecessor champions Oxford City in the 1906-07 Cup tournament. Forced to enter in the preliminary round, the club defeated Chelmsford before losing to Southend United in the first qualifying round. The FA would not resume the practice of awarding a bye to the first round of the Cup to the reigning Amateur Cup champion until 1925, when the successful club would again be Clapton. First round proper36 of the 40 clubs from the First and Second divisions joined the 12 clubs who came through the qualifying rounds. Of the League sides not exempt to this round, Clapton Orient was again entered in the preliminary round, but this time won through to the third qualifying round before also losing to Southend United. Glossop, Chesterfield and Oldham were all entered in the fifth qualifying round. Sixteen Southern League sides were also exempt to the first round. These were: 32 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday 11 January 1908. Eight matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek, of which one went to a second replay.
Second round properThe sixteen second round matches were played on Saturday 1 February 1908. Five matches were drawn, with the replays taking place in the following midweek. One of these, the Stoke against Gainsborough Trinity match, went to a second replay the following week.
Third round properThe eight third-round matches were scheduled for Saturday 22 February 1908. There were two replays, played in the following midweek.
Fourth round properThe four quarter final matches were scheduled for Saturday 7 March 1908. The Everton against Southampton game was drawn, and replayed on 11 March.
Semi-finalsThe semi-final matches were played on Saturday 28 March 1908. Newcastle United won their tie against Fulham 6–0, which remains a record for an FA Cup semi-final. In the other tie, Wolverhampton Wanderers won against Southampton to meet Newcastle in the final. FinalThe Final was contested by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United at Crystal Palace. Newcastle had just finished 4th in the First Division during this season, after two successive league titles and this was their third FA Cup final appearance in 4 years (although they had yet to win). Their 6–0 thrashing of Fulham in the semi-final is a record win for a semi final. By contrast, Wolves had finished 9th in the Second Division. Nevertheless, Wolves upset the odds by winning the match 3–1, with goals by Kenneth Hunt, George Hedley and Billy Harrison. James Howey scored the Magpies' reply. The Lord Mayor of London, Sir John Bell, then handed the trophy to Wolves' captain, Billy Wooldridge. Match details
See alsoReferences
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