The 1886 FA Cup Final was contested by Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion at Kennington Oval where the result was a goalless draw. West Bromwich Albion wanted to play extra time but Blackburn Rovers declined and so a replay was necessary.[1] This took place a week later at Derbyshire County Cricket Club's Racecourse Ground, the first venue outside London to stage an FA Cup final match. Blackburn Rovers won 2–0 to win the tournament for the third successive time. As of 2022, they remain the last team to achieve that feat. Their goals were scored by Jimmy Brown and Joe Sowerbutts. Both games were refereed by Major Francis Marindin.
In the sixth round, Jem Bayliss scored Albion's first FA Cup hat-trick.
In their third season in the FA Cup, West Bromwich Albion were drawn at home in every round prior to the semi-final. In the first two rounds, they defeated Aston Unity 4–1 and Wednesbury Old Athletic 3–2. The team then received a bye to the fourth round, where they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers by a 3–1 scoreline. Old Carthusians were defeated by a single goal in the fifth round. A hat-trick from Jem Bayliss—the first by an Albion player in the FA Cup[2]—contributed to a 6–0 quarter-final victory over Old Westminsters, putting the club into the FA Cup semi-final for the first time. The semi-final took place at Aston Lower Grounds and was against one of Albion's local rivals, Small Heath Alliance. Albion won 4–0—Arthur Loach and George Woodhall each scoring twice—to become the first Midlands club to reach the FA Cup Final.[3] After the game, Small Heath supporters invaded the pitch and then pelted missiles at vehicles bound for West Bromwich, causing several injuries.[4]
This was the first final contested between two extant clubs which are still members of either the Premier League or the English Football League. The replay in Derby was the first FA Cup final match to be played outside London. There were fears that the replay on 10 April would have to be postponed when Derby was hit by a blizzard that morning, but it blew over and the snow had thawed before the kick-off was due. Albion supporters carried cards saying "Play Up Throstles".[5]