27.5.13

Swansea Town's First Trophy...



Swansea Town claimed their first trophy during their very first season. The Southern League second division side won the Welsh Cup at the first attempt, overcoming the other major Welsh clubs in the process. 
In the preliminary round Swansea beat Milford Town 3-1. In the first round they overcame Mond Nickel Works by 5-0. This set up a derby with Llanelly Town at the Vetch which Swansea won 2-1. Swansea visited the Racecourse in round 3, and beat Wrexham, then of the Birmingham and District League, 3-1. 
In the 4th round Swansea were drawn away to Merthyr Town of the Southern League first division. Swansea emerged as 3-0 winners and returned to Penydarren Park for the semi final, beating Cardiff City 4-2. 
The final was held at Ninian Park on 19th April 1913. Pontypridd (also of the Southern League second division) were the opponents. A crowd of  9,000 watched a 0-0 draw. The replay was held at Mid Rhondda FC (Tonypandy) on 24th April. Swansea's winner is credited to Greirson in these press cuttings, whereas the Welsh Football Data Archive has Anderson as the scorer. 
The Swansea Town line up was :
Fisher, W J Nicholas, A Sutherland, C Duffy, J Hamilton, Jepp, Manser, Anderson, Weir, Grierson, Swarbrick