Days Gone By | Wrexham
Swansea City and Wrexham have shared a long history, with the two Welsh clubs first meeting competitively more than a century ago.
Ahead of Saturday night’s match, we look back at two memorable Welsh Cup encounters between the sides – first a dramatic final replay at the Vetch Field in 1932, before a thumping victory in the sixth round three years later.
The prize was the Welsh Cup, and after the two sides had played out a 1-1 draw at the Racecourse Ground the previous evening, everything was to be decided at the Vetch Field.
A crowd of 5,000 supporters gathered on May 6, 1932, hoping to see Swansea Town secure the trophy. The first meeting had seen Swansea take the lead through Dai Lewis after 22 minutes, only for Wrexham’s Arthur Jones to level early in the second half.
There would be no repeat in the replay. Swansea took control and struck twice before the interval to put themselves firmly in command.
Cyril Pearce opened the scoring after 35 minutes, with Ron Williams adding a second just seven minutes later. Wrexham could find no response, and when the final whistle sounded, Swansea Town were Welsh Cup winners.
It was a landmark moment for the club and a fitting reward after a memorable cup run. Swansea had defeated Merthyr Town, Newport County and Chester on their route to the final before overcoming Wrexham in the replay.
Pearce had enjoyed an outstanding campaign after joining Swansea from Newport County, scoring 35 league goals during the 1931-32 season – a club record that remains the highest number of league goals scored by a Swansea player in a single season.
His goal in the Welsh Cup final replay was another important contribution to a season that would go down in Swansea’s history.
Three years later, Swansea and Wrexham would meet again in the competition. If the 1932 meeting had been about tension, drama and silverware, the 1935 encounter was a very different affair.
The clubs met again in the Welsh Cup, with the Vetch Field once more providing the backdrop. This time there would be no need for a replay. Swansea Town produced a dominant attacking display to sweep Wrexham aside 6-0 and book their place in the next round.
The hosts had established a two-goal advantage by half-time. Walter Bussey opened the scoring after 35 minutes before Dai Lewis doubled the lead eight minutes later.
Wrexham had little answer after the break, and Swansea continued to press home their advantage. Jack Firth struck twice, scoring in the 75th and 85th minutes.
Bussey then completed his own brace in the 88th minute before Ted Martin added a sixth in the final minute.
It was a remarkable afternoon for the Swans, with Bussey and Firth both scoring twice as Swansea swept into the next round.