Realizing that stamina is necessary to stand up under the grueling pace of cup games, the Bethlehem team is going through strenuous training this week preparing for the invasion to Brooklyn, N. Y., on Sunday afternoon, where it will clash with the New York Giants in the semi-final round of the National Cup competition. The game will be played at Dexter Park, the scene of many previous cup classics and selected by the cup committee as a neutral grounds.
As an opponent it is believed that there is no other opponent in the path of Bethlehem’s success as formidable as the Gotham booters. Cup games are specialties with the New York crowd of dribblers and the style of battle in which their aggressive kick and rush tactics are best suited.
Bethlehem will be fortunate in being able to send out on the field a full team of veterans. Physically the squad with but the exception is reported to be in excellent condition. The exception is Hugh Reid, big Irish fullback, who was injured in the game against the Hungarian F. C. here last Saturday. Reid is responding rapidly to treatment and if called upon will be available to start the cup tilt.
The choice of backs will probably hinge on the turf conditions. If the going is heavy it is quite probable that Reid and the veteran Jock Marshall, both big, robust backs, will get the assignment. ON the other hand, if the turf is dry and fast, Allan the fastest of the trio of backs is most certain to be in service.
The goal proposition is the assignment perhaps causing the management most concern. McClure, since injured, has not been on his game, while Finneran, it is feared, is not seasoned enough to stand up under the rigors of a cup game. IF McClure is assigned to the position between the uprights the choice will be influenced by his greater experience.
As for the remainder of the team popular favorites will be in each of the other positions. Archie Stark, playing in his most brilliant form, will be at his usual position on the forward line. His mates will be players who are thoroughly versed in the Bethlehem style of playing and a smooth operating front line should materialize. Tommy Gillespie at outside right and Johnny Jaap at the inside position will flank the goal scoring forward on the right side with Alec Massie and Johnny Rollo, the left forwards.
What Bethlehem’s halfback means to the home team was evident last Saturday when a pinch hitting trio was injected into the lineup against the Hungarians last Saturday. And this celebrated trio of regulars will be fit and ready for the opening whistle on Sunday afternoon. Big Bill Carnihan at center halfback, flanked by the reliable Robert MacGregor and Willie Reid.