1872 The first FA Cup match

Royal Engineers a team consisting of officers, was the favorite to win the first Fa cup final in 1872, but lost 1-0 to The Wanderers. Match was played at the Kennington Oval, a venue for cricket tests, the match was contested between Wanderers, a team made up of ex-public schoolboys and varsity men and Royal Engineers, It was probably influenced by the incident where Lieutenant Creswell, from the Royal Engineers, broke his collarbone after 10 minutes of play, even though he - like a newspaper wrote remained at his post until the battle was over. Matthew Betts secured Wanderers victory with a goal. He appeared under the synonym A. H Chequer because he actually belonged to another club: Harrow checker.
On the way to the finals in 1872 Wanderers played a draw with the Scottish club Queen's Park in the semi-finals. They won the rematch without playing. Several players at Queens' parks teams could not afford the several days trip to London.