The Globe -- South Bethlehem
Monday, March 12, 1917
BETHLEHEM STEEL ENTERS FINALS OF AMERICAN CUP
CRUSHING DEFEAT IS GIVEN TO CLAN MAC DONALD SOCCER TEAM
BY A SCORE OF 5 GOALS TO NONE BETHLEHEM STEEL ELIMINATES BROOKLYNITES
Victory Enables Local Steel Workers to Enter the Final Round in the American Cup Competition -- Clansmen Aggressors at First, But Fine Physical Condition of Bethlehem Players Soon Tell

The Bethlehem Steel Works' soccer eleven, National and American champions, handed a crushing defeat to the Clan MacDonald eleven, Brooklyn, at Clark's field, East Newark, yesterday, winning 5-0. The game was in the semi-final round of the American Cup competition, the victors, who are the present holders of the cup, going into the final round.

The Clansmen were aggressors in the early stages of play, but after the champions got their bearings it was all over with the Brooklynites. Seventeen minutes from the start, McKelvey scored Bethlehem's first point with a long shot which hit the inside of the upright. Bethlehem pressed hard, but clever work by Wilson, the MacDonalds' goalkeeper, kept the score down in the first half, which ended 1-0.

The champions played rings around the Clansmen in the second period, Fleming scoring after ten minutes' play. A clever run by Pepper, who passed the ball to Forrest, enabled the latter to score a third point. Ratican broke away at midfield and dribbled the ball to MacDonald's goal, but Wilson rushed out and saved brilliantly.

Bethlehem's fourth point came from Sarsow, a MacDonald player, who kicked the ball through his own goal in attempting to clear. This was followed by the fifth and last goal from McKelvey's foot, assisted by Pepper.

Clan MacDonald -- Bethlehem
Wilson -- G -- Duncan
Gallagher -- R. F. B. -- Fletcher
Ross -- L. F. B. -- Ferguson
McChesney -- R. H. B. -- Murray
McCann -- C. H. B. -- Campbell
Agat -- L. H. B. -- Kirkpatrick
Craig -- O. R. -- McKelvey
McBride -- I. R. -- Pepper
Finn -- C. F. -- Ratican
Harrower -- I. L. -- Forrest
Sarsow -- O. L. -- Fleming
Score -- Bethlehem, 5; Clan MacDonald, 0. Half-time score -- Bethlehem, 1; Clan MacDonald, 0. Goals made by McKelvey, 2; Fleming, Forrest, Sarsow (put through own goal). Referee -- Andrew Lawrie, Newark; linesmen -- W. Russell and H. McDonald. 45-minute halves.

SOCCER NOTES

The game was played in a sea of mud with rain falling steadily during the opening stages of the game. Both teams were at full strength and the game for the first fifteen minutes was a hummer.

The splendid physical condition of the champions was very much in evidence during the second period and it was in t his half that Bethlehem piled up their goals.

Ratican played a hard aggressive game throughout and had hard luck in not getting into the scoring column. Forrest also played a good game and seemed to improve as the game progressed.

The few hundred dyed in the wool fans who braved the rain and slush yesterday certainly had their money's worth, especially during the first half.

Fletcher's work yesterday was the best seen for quite a while.

The Bethlehem management received a challenge after the game yesterday from the All American team for a two game series and a third one if necessary, the first game to be played at Bethlehem on Saturday, March 24, and the second game to be played at Newark. The committee handling the All American team stated yesterday after the Bethlehem management had accepted the challenge that they are confident the All Americans will defeat Bethlehem.

Next Saturday the locals will play the Philadelphia Hibernians on the Phillies' ball grounds.


Bethlehem Steel Soccer Club