For more than three-fifths of the game the Steel Workers did the attacking but over-anxiety prevented them from scoring on many occasions. Thirteen thousand spectators witnessed the game and at least five thousand journeyed from Fall River to cheer for the Rovers.
At a special meeting of the national challenge cup committee of the United States Football Association held at Pawtucket, it was decided to replay the final tie next Saturday or Sunday in the New York district.
Negotiations have opened for staging the big game either at Ebbetts Field, Brooklyn, on Saturday or at the Federal League park, Harrison, N. J., or Clark's Athletic Field, Newark, N. J., next Sunday, the latter being the most probable.
The following were present at the meeting: President Thomas Bagnall, Andrew M. Brown, Joe Boot and Thomas W. Cahill.
Sullivan kicked off for the Rovers and Bethlehem forced a corner in the first minute but the Rovers again cleared and the play moved fast up and down the field, first one goal and then the other undergoing narrow escapes. After fifteen minutes of play in this half the Bethlehem half backs seemed to have complete control of the Rovers' forward line, with the result that Bethlehem pressed continuously, five corners coming to them in rapid succession, but despite all their efforts they could not get the goal that would decide the issue. Shots rained in from all angles but poor direction and lack of the necessary sting were the main faults o the Steel Workers' forwards. After 25 minutes of this continuous pressure the Rovers broke away and forced a corner. At t his stage of the game the Rovers lost the greatest opportunity they had of the day, Sullivan sending the ball over the bar from the six-yard line. On Duncan's long clearance, Fleming got possession and a corner off Booth. The kick was well placed but C. Burns headed the ball out of danger. The two regular periods ended with the score two goals each.
The referee ordered two extra periods of fifteen minutes each and Bethlehem attacked almost continuously in the first fifteen, every player on the team working at top speed to get the goal that meant victory for Bethlehem, and although Murphy struck the cross bar with a long shot and Fleming brought the crowd to their feet with a terrific shot that went over the bar the goal was not forthcoming and the teams turned around for the final fifteen minutes. The pace had been a grueling one from the start of the game and both teams were showing signs of distress but the great issue at stake encouraged them to the last; it was in this period that Bethlehem lost two good opportunities to score, Murphy getting possession on both occasions but anxiety to place the ball beyond the goaltender's reach was his undoing, and although some very fast exchanges took place in the closing minutes of the game neither team was able to register the wining goal and play ended with the ball in midfield.
Fall River Rovers -- Bethlehem Steel
Albin -- G -- Duncan
Booth -- RFB -- Fletcher
C. Burns -- LFB -- Ferguson
F. Burns -- RHB -- Murray
Beardsworth -- CHB -- Campbell
Clarke -- LHB -- Kirkpatrick
Smith -- OR -- Murphy
Morgan -- IR -- Pepper
Sullivan -- CF -- Ratican
Swords -- IL -- Easton
Chadwick -- OL -- Fleming
Goals: Ratican, Fleming, Sullivan, Chadwick. Linesmen: Booth, McLeik. Referee: Crichton.