|
P |
W |
D |
L |
Pts |
Bethlehem Steel |
8 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
15 |
New York |
8 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
Erie A. A. |
7 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
8 |
Robins Dry Dock |
7 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
8 |
Federal Ship |
7 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
Disston A. A. |
7 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
Babcock & Wilcox |
9 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
1 |
by Fred S. Nonnemacher
Had Bethlehem Steel converted less than half of the excellent opportunities to score into counters, the total would have been far in excess of the highest number of points garnered in any one game this season.
Reference is made to the inaccurate shooting to describe the one-sidedness of the clash in the replay of a tie National League game against New York F. C., staged on the Bethlehem Steel athletic field on Saturday afternoon when Bethlehem broke the existing deadlock for first place in the league standing by emerging victorious by the score of 4 goals to 0.
At no stage of the game were the visitors dangerous or even threatening, the play from the opening minute to the final blast of the referee's whistle being practically monopolized by the Bethlehem clan.
Apparently inspired by their showing several weeks earlier when they managed to hold the Steel Workers to a one-goal tie, the New Yorkers came here determined to establish their name in the hall of fame by conquering the former champions. Only a few minutes of play elapsed before it was apparent that their aspirations were futile and the visitors almost immediately assumed a defensive to combat the effective combination work of the Bethlehem team, which style of campaigning they resorted to almost exclusively throughout the game.
The display of the Steel Workers was characteristic of their championship stride, the backs proving a stone wall on the defensive while the combination work of the forwards was among the best. It was only when within scoring distance that they lacked, their final parting for the most ending with the ball sailing past.
The game, however, was not without some brilliant features. This was particularly true in the opening half when play was mostly confined in the vicinity of the visitors' goal. Three visiting players stood out as most prominent but along their efforts could not check the evenly balanced Bethlehem machine. These players were Kelly and Meyerdirks, two of the New York backs, and Bell, their goalkeeper. The former tow paid particular attention to Fleming and as a result, the latter was usually hurried in his shots at goal, which for the most went wild, or lost the ball. Bell's work in goal was a feature for he was really the target of attack and on numerous occasions responded with a brilliant save or tipped a hard drive to send the ball sailing over the crossbar in saving.
Five minutes after play started Brittan put his teammates in the lead with a pretty shot from about a 20-foot range, the ball completely beating the goalkeeper. Play continued to center in the vicinity of the visitors' goal and Wilson then missed an excellent opportunity to score. Three times in succession Forrest's drives failed to locate the net, one being no more than five yards out. Bell then saved from Wilson and again Forrest missed a good opportunity, this time a pass from Fleming. This continuous attack fairly dazed the visitors and was brought to a brief termination when Brittan on a pass from Wilson, headed through for a second tally. From then on until the half ended, Bethlehem continued to monopolize the play but the parting shots either grazed the bar, went wild or were cleared by Bell.
The second half was practically a repetition of the first, Bethlehem scoring two more goals, both of which came in the early minutes of play. Forrest annexed the first with a long shot and later following a brief exchange between the backs, Morrison added another on a pass from Wilson with a hard high drive into the corner of the net.
At the very beginning of this period Herd broke through and assumed a threatening attitude but his efforts were halted by Wilson, who relieved him of the ball. The only time Duncan was called on to save came toward the close of the game when S. McDonald's drive went directly to him. For the most, all the shots at the goal by the visitors were from wide range and badly missed the mark. The lineup:
Bethlehem – New York F. C.
Duncan – G – Bell
Wilson – RFB – Kelly
Ferguson – LFB – Vandeneynder
Bethune – RHB – Meyerdirks
Campbell – CHB – Bustard
Murray – LHB – Carter
Wilson – OR – J. McDonald
Morrison – IR – S. McDonald
Brittan – CF – Herd
Forrest – IL – Bleich
Fleming – OL – Phillips
Goals – Brittan 2, Forrest, Morrison. Referee – Young, Philadelphia. Linesmen – Magee and Morrison. Time of halves, 45 minutes.