The
Globe - Times - Bethlehem Pennsylvania USA
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The Globe-Times -- Bethlehem
2 8 March 1927
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BETHLEHEM STEEL WINS CUP CONTEST
Local Champions Again Put to the Test in Defeating the Speedy Quakers
CONNORS GETS BROKEN ARM
Held without a goal in more than an hour of playing Bethlehem Steel soccer
team rallied in time to snatch a victory from Philadelphia F. C., in
the first round game of the National Cup competition at Philadelphia
on Saturday afternoon. Most of the game was played in a downpour of
rain and won by the defending champions by the score of 3 to 1.
The score by no means describes the valiant fight of the lowly Phillies who
combated Bethlehem's clever style with aggressive rushing tactics
and more than once had the Steelmen in a right corner, fighting
bitterly to frustrate a score. That the Phillies did not notch goals
before Bethlehem was entirely due to a weak forward line, which in
contrast to the brilliant defense of the Quakers was no comparison.
Phillies Defense Good
All the strength of the Phillies lay in their defense, especially the two
fullbacks, whose long clearances and goal kicks were an outstanding
feature of the game. Holding Bethlehem scoreless for more than an
hour was beyond the hopes of the most loyal Phillie rooter and when
the Quakers did succeed in accomplishing that feat, hopes of a tie
game if not a victory soared high.
But these hopes were dashed after twenty minutes of play in the second half
when a neat bit of combination work in which Stark, Gillespie and
Jaap played an important role, the ball was carried close to the
goal mouth where Granger took a first time shot. It was a low drive
which Pearce failed to hold and while the goal that followed was of
the fluky variety nevertheless Granger's heady play in following his
shot enabled him to get it past the Quaker custodian. Within ten
minutes Gillespie added two more goals while Gregg,
the Phillies center forward, spared his team a shutout.
Connors Injured
The game was marred by several injuries, most serious of which befell Billy
Allan, Bethlehem right fullback, and Tommy Connors, an importation
from Detroit, whose great defensive playing was a matter of great
concern to Bethlehem. Allan twisted a knee early in the game and
aggravated the injury when he stubbed his toe on the bumpy pitch in
an attempt to make a clearance. Connors sustained a fracture of his
left arm in a collision with Goldie near the Phillies net. Although
Allan returned to the lineup for the second half after leaving the
game late in the opening session, he was of little use to the team.
Connors was inured late in the second half and after Bethlehem had
scored two of its three goals.
With the opening whistle Bethlehem immediately became the aggressor and
flashed a form which threatened to sew up the game in a hurry. With
well time passes the Bethlehem forwards swept down the field and
several parting shots came dangerously close to locating while
Pearce was called upon to handle early. For five minutes Bethlehem
did practically all the pressing with Pearce having a busy time
handling and then the tide changed. Playing as though possessed and
using as their chief weapon long sweeping kicks in their attack the
Phillies started to rush the ball into Bethlehem territory and for
the greater par of the remainder of this half kept it there.
Bethlehem's forwards met stiff opposition in the Phillies defense
while the Steelmen's defense at times seemed disorganized.
With the restart of the second half, Bethlehem displayed a more determined
effort although the Phillies, inspired by their success in the first
forty-five minutes continued their effective rushing and aggressive
tactics. Then suddenly after twenty minutes of play came the
transformation in which Bethlehem became organized and with the
exception of an occasional breakaway by the Phillies did most of the
pressing. Granger's goal for the first tally of the game encouraged
the morale that seemed to be ebbing and with the exception of the
first five minutes of play the Bethlehem forwards began to function
with a better understanding and more effective passing.
Five minutes later Gillespie contributed Bethlehem's second goal which might
well be termed a break in Bethlehem's favor. Stark rushed the ball
up center and then passed to Jaap on the outside. T he Bethlehem
wingman centered beautifully and drew Pearce out of his goal. The
latter in his effort to clear collided with Reid and as the ball was
sailing past the goal mouth, Gillespie headed it into the open net.
A few minutes later the Phillies were encouraged when after a free
kick on a foul against Goldie, Gregg was uncovered
and this time made no mistake with his shot.
Bethlehem's final goal made by Gillespie was the prettiest of the game and the
result of an individual effort on the part of the Bethlehem center
forward. Carrying through he beat Reid as the last defensive
obstacle and then virtually walked it in, with Pearce having no
chance whatever on the close range shot. Bethlehem continued to
press to the final whistle.
Bethlehem -- Philadelphia
Edwards -- G -- Pearce
Allan -- LFB -- Reid
Barrie -- RFB -- Connors
McDonald -- RHB -- Duffy
Carnihan -- CHB -- Forrest
McGregor -- LHB -- Pitt
Jaap -- OR -- McClure
Stark -- IR -- McGuire
Gillespie -- CF -- Gregg
Granger -- IL -- Burness
Goldie -- OL -- Wardorp
Score: Bethlehem, 3; Philadelphia, 1. Half-time score: Bethlehem, 0;
Philadelphia, 0.
Goals; Granger, Gillespie 2, Gregg 1. Referee; Jim Walder.
Linesmen: Boz Scott, John Walder. Time of halves, 45 minutes.
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The Globe-Times -- Bethlehem
March 28, 1927
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A Swing Along Athletic Row
Any Port in a Storm
Bethlehem soccer players seem to ignore the old adage that any port in a storm
is the best strategy in relieving a dangerous situation. The fact
was evident in the National cup game against the Phils on Saturday
afternoon, when they were persistent in their clever style of play,
with short passes when a good healthy clearance would have quickly
carried the ball out of the danger zone. Only MacGregor and McDonald
seemed to sense the importance of a good long drive. This style of
play in the vicinity of their own goal, when the opponents are
pressing, has given the Bethlehem followers many uncomfortable
moments when seemingly a good long clearance would immediately
relieve the situation.
There was no dilly-dallying with the ball by the Phillies when Bethlehem was
attacking. Their defense was good long kicks and as a result
dangerous situations for the defensive team were instantly
converting into threatening attacks. Bethlehem and its players have
their own style of play. They rely entirely on scientific
manipulation in which passing is the fundamental basis. However,
when a team of aggressive players cuts in often to take the ball it
would seem that tactic could be change to relieve such conditions.
It certainly can't be that Bethlehem's backs lack impetus in their
drives to negotiate long kicks.
Breaking Tough for New Player
Sympathies were freely distributed for Tommy Connors, a Detroit player, who
for the first time donned a uniform for the Phillies on Saturday
afternoon and much of the defensive strength of the team can be
attributed to his brilliant playing. The work of Connors stood out
prominently and the staunchest dyed-in-the-wool could not help but
recognize and appreciate his playing. It was through his hard and
aggressive work that misfortune was doled out to him with little
more than 10 minutes to go to the final whistle. Tackling Goldie who
was on the ball, the two went down in the collision. Goldie quickly
regained his feet but Connors, writhing in pain, remained on the
pitch. The sympathetic Jock Ferguson, Bethlehem medico, in the
absence of a similar attendant with the Phillie club, rushed out on
the field but the injured man was beyond any aid that Jock might
administer. He fractured his left arm and was taken to a hospital.
The thing uppermost in mind is whether the Philadelphia club is in a
financial position to give the player the necessary assistance.
Gleaned from what is said, the Phils have been flirting with
bankruptcy for quite some time and the financial situation is such,
it is said, that rumors prevalent threatened to transfer the
franchise. Connors seemed to be a nice young chap and certainly his
conduct and playing in the cup game was beyond any reproach. He
played hard and clean. It is also understood that the young man is
the support of a mother or sister. His injury is going to keep him
idle
a good many weeks. It would be commendable of the Phils if they could arrange
a benefit game.
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The Globe-Times -- Bethlehem
April 28, 1927
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PHILLIES' SOCCER TEAM BUMPED
Alleged to Have Played 9 Unregistered Players Against Coats.
GIVEN A SUSPENSION
New York, April 23 (AP) -- Management of the Philadelphia F. C., in the
American Soccer League has been suspended until it can prove to the
satisfaction of the president of the league that it would take the
field with a representative team, an official announcement said
today. The suspension resulted from the illegal playing of nine
unregistered amateurs against the J & P Coats team in a league game
at Pawtucket, R. I., April 23. The club was also assessed the
"maximum fine allowed by league bylaw."
Games schedule during the suspension period will be forfeited the league
official ruled. The Philadelphia F. C. has four games scheduled in
the remainder of the season.
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