Darwen v Old Carthusians F. A. Cup Semi - Final 1881

In 1881 Darwen reached the Semi-Final against the Old Carthusians, the first victims in the cup campaign of that year were Brigg who were overwhelmed by 8 unopposed goals, before Sheffield were hammered 5-1 at Brammall Lane, The third round draw gave the Salmoners a bye, and in the next match another game with a Sheffield side was decreed. Although the weather was poor, the crowd anticipating a repeat of the FA cup excitement of two years earlier turned out in great numbers at Barley Bank, and another victory was achieved by the Darwen club this time against "the Wednesday" of Sheffield the score 5-1.
Once again the club had reached the quarter-finals stage, but on this occasion did not have to play the game at the Oval! but the luck of the draw was as bad, as fate required them to travel to the London area again, this time to Romford.
Not relishing the thought of a long and tedious journey, Darwen managed to persuade ( with a financial inducement ) the men from Essex to play the game in Lancashire.
Darwen ran riot against the Essex men and created (at the time) the record goal winning margin in the competition. Rostron scored first, followed by Mellor, and by 7 minutes were 3 up. The fans had difficulty keeping up with the score as the unfortunate Romford goal was bombarded with scoring shots.
By halftime the score was 11-0, and although the pace slackened in the second period the final tally was 15-0.
The club had reached the Semi-final stage in no uncertain manner!. The semi-final against the Old Carthusians did however have to be played at the Oval, a ground the Darreners were considering their second home, but on this occasion far from being the under-dogs as two years earlier the Darreners fame and winning ways had made them the favorites to win the cup. just one game was between them and another clash with the Old Etonians - who had a bye through to the final. although the southerners had competely dominated the cup up to that date, the rapid rise of the northerners abilities produced the prospect of a facinating first ever North vesus South conflict on the football field.
The weather at the Oval was fine but cold, and a large crowd of 2,000 - matches in the south were not considered as spectator attractions to the same degree as in the North - attended.
Despite winning the toss, Darwen chose to play into the sun in the first half, and Brindle got the game into motion. Darwen missed several early chances, including two shots that hit the Carthusians crossbar, before they took a deserved lead at the interval, Marshall netting for Darwen.
In the second half Darwen's earlier domination vanished and the Old Carthusians stormed the Darreners goal , and after 90 minutes they ran out 1-4 winners, Hansell, Todd, Vincent and Wynard getting the goals for the Old Carthusians, the Lancastrians had been unable to reproduce their famous fighting back spirit, and the prospect of a classic confrontation with the Old Etonians in the final vanished.
The Darwen streets were packed with people - all anxious to get news of the final result, and were shattered when news that the Darreners had lost came through, for they had hoped and expected their favorites to win.
The Old Carthusians went on to win the cup beating the Old Etonians in the final 3-0 Todd, Parry and Wynyard getting the goals.

Final score : Darwen 1 Old Carthusians 4
To view full 1880 / 81 draw click here.