Success of the Bethlehem soccer team surviving to the final in the Eastern Division of the National Cup competition has caused tremendous interest in the game to be waged on the Polo Grounds, New York City, on Sunday afternoon when the homesters meet Fall River for the greatest laurels in American soccerdom.
There will be one general exodus of soccer fans from this city. Bus transportation has been arranged and a fleet of these spacious motor conveyances will leave the American Hotel, Broad and New Streets, at eight o’clock on Sunday morning.
In addition to the bus caravan there will be many motoring and others taking advantage of the train facilities.
Two of the cleverest center forwards ever seen in this country will be opposing each other when the ball is set in motion – Archie Stark, of Bethlehem, who has so far scored 28 goals this season and Bert Patenaude, of Fall River, who has 25 tallies to his credit. Both are scoring artists and great opportunists.
Tommy Fraser, who has guarded the citadel in the previous cup encounters, will again be between the uprights to handle the shots of the hard driving Fall River forwards. That Fraser is equal to the occasion and is probably the most feared goalie to Fall River in the league was apparent on a loop invasion when after a spectacular game he was forced to retire because of injury and in leaving the field was one of the few visiting players ever to leave the grounds of the Marksmen amidst the plaudits of the home town fans.
Able and sturdy defensive mats will be Robert McGregor and Bill Finlayson, the converted halfbacks, who are playing a great game at fullback. Big Bill Carnihan will be the pivot man on the halfback line and it is sufficient to mention that if Carnihan is in a playing mood he will prove no little source of concern to the Fall River forwards. Carnihan at his best is without an equal and it is usually in cup ties that Bill really extends himself. He will be flanked by the two seasoned veterans Willie Reid and Pitt.
Tommy Gillespie will be back at his post at outside right, is the welcome announcement made this morning, and with Gillespie the clever little Jaap will take care of the right flank. Alec Massie and Alec Dick are the left wing assignees and in this group of players with Stark at center forward, Bethlehem will in addition to fielding one of the best forward lines in the business be represented by a forward line chuck full of scoring possibilities. Every man on the front line is a dangerous shot.
The players will leave at 10:44 in the morning and will dine on the train.