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1953–54 FA Cup
The 1953–54 FA Cup was the 73rd staging of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. West Bromwich Albion won the competition for the fourth time, beating Preston North End 3–2 in the final at Wembley. 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. Some matches, however, might be rescheduled for other days if there were clashes with games for other competitions or the weather was inclement. 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 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. Calendar
Qualifying roundsMost participating clubs that were not members of the Football League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 30 places available in the first round. The winners from the fourth qualifying round were Blyth Spartans, Ferryhill Athletic, Spennymoor United, Horden Colliery Welfare, Scarborough, Wigan Athletic, Rhyl, Nelson, Witton Albion, Nuneaton Borough, Wellington Town, Selby Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Boston United, Hereford United, Kettering Town, Peterborough United, Bedford Town, Cambridge United, Great Yarmouth Town, Hitchin Town, Finchley, Headington United, Guildford City, Hastings United, Newport (IOW), Llanelli, Bath City, Yeovil Town and Weymouth. Coincidentally, the two clubs appearing in the competition proper for the first time were Headington United - later to be known as Oxford United - and Cambridge United. However, Hitchin Town was featuring at this stage for the first time in their own right after predecessor club Hitchin FC had last appeared in the main draw in 1887-88. Of the others, Wigan Athletic was advancing from the qualifying rounds for the first time since 1937-38 and Ferryhill Athletic for the first time since 1935-36. Hastings United and Headington United were the most successful qualifying clubs, participating in eight rounds of the tournament each. Hastings defeated Shoreham, Horsham, Eastbourne, Ashford Town (Kent), Hounslow Town, Guildford City and Swindon Town before losing to Norwich City in the third round; while Headington defeated Aylesbury United, Maidenhead United, Chesham United, Wealdstone, Harwich & Parkeston, Millwall and Stockport County before losing to Bolton Wanderers in the fourth round. First round properAt this stage the 48 clubs from the Football League Third Division North and South joined the 30 non-league clubs who came through the qualifying rounds. The final two non-league sides in the draw, Harwich & Parkeston and Walthamstow Avenue, were given byes to this round. Harwich & Parkeston were the runners-up from the previous season's FA Amateur Cup, but the bye was passed on to them as the champions Pegasus did not compete in the FA Cup. Matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 21 November 1953. Seven were drawn and went to replays.
Second round properThe matches were scheduled for Saturday, 12 December 1953. Eight matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week. The Wrexham–Brighton & Hove Albion match went to a second replay, which finished in Wrexham's favour. Cambridge United and Bradford Park Avenue were meeting in competition for the first time, with Bradford winning this encounter some 16 years before being replaced by Cambridge in the Football League. Third round properThe 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage. The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 9 January 1954. Fifteen matches were drawn and went to replays, with three of these requiring a second replay. The Blackpool–Luton Town match then went to a third replay, which was won by Blackpool.
Fourth round properThe matches were scheduled for Saturday, 30 January 1954, with two matches taking place on later dates. Six matches were drawn and went to replays, which were all played in the following midweek fixture. The Scunthorpe & Lindsey–Portsmouth match went to a second replay. Headington United was the last non-league club left in the competition.
Fifth round properThe matches were scheduled for Saturday, 20 February 1954. Two matches went to replays in the following mid-week fixture.
Sixth round properThe four quarter-final ties were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 13 March 1954. Two matches went to replays, with the Leicester City–Preston North End match going to a second replay.
SemifinalsThe semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 27 March 1954. Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion won their ties to meet in the final at Wembley. FinalThe 1954 FA Cup final was contested by West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End at Wembley. West Brom won 3–2, with goals from Ronnie Allen (2) and Frank Griffin. Angus Morrison and Charlie Wayman scored for Preston. Match details
References
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