1873

The FA Cup was conceived as a challenge cup. Therefore, the season after winning the inaugural edition, Wanderers were given a bye to the final (which was to be played at a venue of their choice) and the rest of the teams fought it out for the right to 'challenge' them.
So Wanderers' next FA Cup match was the second final.

1873 Final

On 29th March 1873 3000 people saw Wanderers beat Oxford University 2-0 at Lillie Bridge Athletic Ground (Earls Court). Mr Stair refereed again.

 The Oxford team was exclusively English and featured Cuthbert Ottaway, England's first international captain. Wanderers fielded 7 Englishmen, 2 Scots an Irishman and an American. Their opening goal was scored by Arthur Kinnaird- the beginning of a long association with the Cup final. 

The 'challenge' notion was ditched for the third edition of the Cup, and Wanderers entered the first round draw along with 27 other teams.

In the first two rounds they had  walkovers against Southall and Trojans. 

They first time they were called into action was in the third round on 6th December 1873. Their opponents were Oxford University again, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.