1929–30 FA Cup

The 1929–30 FA Cup was the 55th season of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. Arsenal won the competition for the first time, beating Huddersfield Town 2–0 in the final at Wembley.

First Division side Bolton Wanderers were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the third round by Birmingham.

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 rounds

Most participating clubs that were not members of the Football League joined the competition in the qualifying rounds. York City, who had been elected to the Football League Third Division North during the 1929 close season, also competed in the qualifying rounds of this tournament, being entered in the fourth qualifying round alongside Ashington - the club they defeated in the League ballot.

The 25 winners from the fourth qualifying round were Aldershot, Bath City, Barry, Thames, Wimbledon, Tunbridge Wells Rangers, Northfleet United, Folkestone, Margate, Dagenham Town, Nunhead, Leyton, Dulwich Hamlet, Peterborough & Fletton United, Kettering Town, Wellington Town, Newark Town, Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, Gainsborough Trinity, Manchester Central, Caernarfon Athletic, Lancaster Town and Shildon, along with Ashington and York City.

Those featuring in the main draw for the first time were Barry, Thames, Margate, Dagenham Town, Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, Manchester Central, Caernarfon Athletic and future FA Cup and FA Amateur Cup winners Wimbledon. Tunbridge Wells Rangers was appearing at this stage for the first time since 1905-06 while Newark Town's predecessor outfit Newark F.C. had last competed in the first round proper in 1885-86.

Wellington Town was the most successful club from this season's extra preliminary round, defeating Evesham Town, Worcester City, Shrewsbury Town, Oakengates Town, Cradley Heath and Boston Town before going out to Stockport County in the first round. Another notable extra preliminary contestant was Wealdstone, who lost a fourth qualifying round replay against Dulwich Hamlet at Lower Mead following a famous 7-all draw at Champion Hill in the initial match.

First round proper

At this stage 41 clubs from the Football League Third Division North and South joined the 25 clubs who came through the qualifying rounds. Crystal Palace and Swindon Town were given byes to the third round. To make the number of matches up, non-league sides Mansfield Town and Ilford were given byes to this round, with Ilford being the winner of the previous season's FA Amateur Cup.

34 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 30 November 1929. Seven were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, while third division clubs Clapton Orient and Doncaster Rovers needed second replays to see off qualifiers Folkestone and Shildon respectively.

Second round proper

The matches were played on Saturday, 14 December 1929. Three matches were drawn, with replays taking place in the following midweek fixture.

Third round proper

The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage, along with Crystal Palace, Swindon Town and amateur side Corinthian.

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 11 January 1930. Eight matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, of which one went to a second replay. All teams in this round apart from Corinthian were Football League teams, but York City was the last participating side from the qualifying rounds.

Fourth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 25 January 1930. Five games were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, of which one went to a second replay.

Fifth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 15 February 1930. There was one replay, between Sunderland and Nottingham Forest, played in the next midweek fixture.

Sixth round proper

The four Sixth Round ties were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 1 March 1930. There were two replays.

Semi-finals

The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 22 March 1930. Arsenal and Hull City drew, replaying their game four days later. Huddersfield Town and Arsenal won their matches to meet in the final at Wembley.

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;Replay

Final

The 1930 FA Cup Final was contested by Arsenal and Huddersfield Town at Wembley. Arsenal won 2–0, with goals from Alex James and Jack Lambert.

Match details

See also

* FA Cup Final Results 1872-

References

;General
Official site; fixtures and results service
at TheFA.com
1929-30 FA Cup at soccerbase.com

;Specific

{{DEFAULTSORT:1929–30 FA Cup

FA Cup seasons
FA Cup