The game was played under conditions suitable for anything but an outdoor sport but despite the elements the management of both teams were determined to go through with it, in view of these conditions it was fairly good gathering that journeyed to the athletic field and with but very few exceptions everyone stuck it out until the finish. The snowfall the day previous called for quick action and in order to play the game "Bill" Stark, the Steel's trainer, mustered together a regiment of youngsters and before noon the playing space was cleared. However, "Bill" and his youngsters had no control over the icy blasts that swept across the field and against these Arctic conditions the two teams were forced to combat. At times the wind swept such flurries across the field that the players were hardly visible.
Bethlehem won the toss and chose the goal with the wind to their backs. This believed advantage, however, appeared to be more detrimental to the tam than had they chosen the opposite goal for many true shots that were started toward the net were deflected by the high wind. When at the end of the first half Bethlehem had garnered but one counter, spectators and players alike feared that 1 goal lead would hardly be enough to check the visitors who in the final period would have the wind with them. Instead, however, when goals were changed Bethlehem was even more superior in their play and goal shooting and before the end of the session had added four more counters.
The visitors took the field confident of victory and put a snap and dash in their early minutes of play. This confidence quickly waned when the champions directed volley after volley at the Morse goal keeper and before the end were fully assured that they were completely outclassed.
Bethlehem started the game minus Tommy Murray, one of the star halfbacks. "Bill" Morrison assumed the responsibility of the position and before the end had covered himself with laurels. One of the finest exhibitions of football witnessed here in a long time was the display of Sturch, the Canadian, who recently joined the team. His cleverness and cool head work even under fire brought him out as the best player on the field. Sundberg was somewhat disappointing and not until the final minutes of play he show any class. This might be attributed to the fact that he preferred playing on the forward line but to oust any of the Bethlehem regulars he will have to travel at a much faster clip. The playing of Harris also featured brilliantly and as a whole combination work was more of the last year championship stride with every player contributing an equal share. With ten minutes to go Harris was injured when he stuck his head against an upright in trying to head the ball into the net. He was rendered unconscious and carried off the field, but resumed playing a few minutes later.
Due to the late arrival of the visitors the game did not start until three o'clock, a half hour later than the scheduled time. Nine of the Morse players were on hand but decided not to take a chance until two players who had missed the train in New York arrived. When they did come they were rushed to the field in an automobile.
Bethlehem won the toss and chose the goal with the wind behind them and were soon in the vicinity of Whelan, Forrest ending a nice movement by shooting past. The attack was continued but Fleming sent past and then Whelan made a brilliant save from Harris. McKelvey and Forrest again had shots but both efforts missed the uprights.
After fifteen minutes of play Bethlehem opened the scoring when Wilson dropped a nice ball near the goal and Harris converted it into a counter. The champions continued the attack and forced several corners against the visitors. Bethlehem seemed to be a bit overanxious in the shooting with the result that good attempts made failed to add to the score. During the entire first half Duncan, the Bethlehem goalkeeper never had an opportunity to handled the ball whereas Whelan, a former Bethlehem player, and Morse goal keeper, was the busiest man on the field and time and again made clearances or tipped the ball over the bar for a corner when it looked as though he was completely beaten. Despite all efforts Bethlehem could not add to the score and the fans were somewhat afraid that with the elements in favor of the visitors in the second half the champions would have a strenuous time.
When playing was resumed, Bethlehem surprised the visitors when they immediately carried the ball into Morse territory. Fleming shooting past. In this instance it might be said that Bethlehem would have benefited to a greater degree if Fleming had passed t Sturch and McKelvey, who were both in better positions for direct shots at goal. The visitors tired hard to get beyond the Bethlehem halfbacks but their efforts proved futile. Harris soon added his second goal on a pass from Forrest. This goal seemed to take a lot of life out of the visitors. The hard work of the home crowd had a great deal to do in baffling the opponents, paying particular attention in keeping the ball low to prevent the wind from carrying it out of its course.
After twenty minutes of play, Harris made his third goal of the game when Page mis-kicked in an effort to clear a long drive from Ferguson. Harris dashed in and gave Whelan no chance to save with a shot from close range. The visitors then started for Bethlehem goal with a determined effort and Duncan had his first shot of the day from Stradam. Two fouls against Bethlehem were of little use to the visitors as on both occasions the ball was shot past. Bethlehem again took up the attack and beautiful work by the forwards ended in Fleming scoring when the ball was advanced from midfield to a position to shoot by clever work of Sturch, Campbell and Harris. With fifteen minutes more to go, the visitors made an heroic effort to prevent a shut out but a nice shot from Lynch, who was handicapped in his playing with an injured leg, almost did the trick but Duncan cleared well. Bethlehem's final score came seven minutes before the end of the game in a scrimmage in front of the Morse goal. Sturch was instrumental in the counter when he showed good headwork and unselfishness in passing to McKelvey, who scored. At the end of the contest the visitors were completely worn out by the pace set by the champions. Lineup:
Bethlehem -- Morse Dry Dock
Duncan -- G -- Whelan
Wilson -- RHB -- Lindsay
Ferguson -- LFB -- Page
W. Morrison -- RHB - -Sinclair
Campbell - -CHB -- Parker
Sundberg -- LHB -- McCann
McKelvey -- OR -- Kershall
Sturch -- IR -- Rorke
Harris -- CF - -Lynch
Forrest -- IL -- McPherson
Fleming -- OL -- Stradam
Goals -- Harris, 3; McKelvey, Fleming. Referee -- Walders, Linesmen, Easton and Bustard. Time of halves, 45 minutes.