The Globe -- Bethlehem
May 12, 1924
SPEAKING OF CHAMPS STEEL SOCCER TEAM JOINS THAT CLASS
In American Cup Tie On Sunday, Fall River Is Defeated.
1 GOAL RESULT
Contest Was Played On a Soggy Field, But was Fast.

By Fred S. Nonnemacher
Playing a superior quality of football, and the aggressor in the major portion of the game, the Bethlehem Steel soccer machine humiliated Fall River, National champions, in winning the trophy of the American Football Association competition, in the Jersey City baseball park, Sunday afternoon, by the score of one goal to none. In winning the American final, the Bethlehems conquered the team t hat eliminated them in the National Cup competition and a team that is destined to win the honors in the American Soccer League race.

On the day's play the Steel Workers were far the better team, and the score hardly indicates the advantage maintained by the local clan throughout the affray. Fall River was dangerous at times but only in spells did the National champions threaten, and then seldom did they advance beyond the backs. Their most determined and threatening spurt was in the closing three minutes of play when they exerted every effort in hopes of equalizing but found the Bethlehem defense equal to the session.

In spite of the inclement weather conditions three thousand enthusiastic soccer devotees turned out to witness the game. Toward the close a light rain started to fall and fell throughout the remainder of the game. Slippery and heavy going seemed to have no terrors for the opposing clans and while slips and falls were frequent spectacular work was by no means eliminated or the run of the contest marred. The experts who clashed in the American final adapted themselves to the3 conditions and were ably qualified to care for themselves and given their best display.

The veteran experience of Jack Rattray, a last minute Bethlehem choice on the forward line, combined with a sensational save by "Bill" Highfield, enabled the Bethlehem team to return with the spoils of victory. These plays were the outstanding features in a game that was predominant with thrilling and sensational work, with every Bethlehemite acquitting himself in a creditable manner. The team that won Sunday's game worked more or less as a unit and displayed a far more aggressive and determined attitude when in the vicinity of the visitors' goal. While in previous games against fall River and as a matter of fact against numerous other clubs, Bethlehem always excelled in pretty soccer but lacked just that aggressiveness and punch which brought home the bacon on Sunday might.

For the visitors only one man really shone on the attack and that was the speedy little McKenna, who several times breezed down the wing and centered beautifully but there was no Harold Brittan there to take the pass. "Bill" Carnihan kept the Fall River flush completely bottled up, beating him on the [. . .] when near the ball and ever allowing him enough time to steady to take a shot on goal. Morley, another former Bethlehemite, who was considered dangerous, was equally as closely bottled. Seldom did the Fall River forwards get beyond the halfback line, and when they did, they found "Jock" Young, who played a most brilliant game on the defense, and Davy Ferguson, beating them to the ball to drive it back down the field. Bethlehem forwards frequently advanced beyond Tate and Kemp and many times tested Kerr, but it was not as much the latter's saving that prevented Bethlehem from scoring more goals but rather missing the mark by the narrowest margin.

Fall River's defense at times was run ragged and in their desperation to check the pressing of the Steel Workers used their bodies to good advantage. Apparently it was legitimate for only on one or two occasions were the New Englanders called.

While only one goal is credited to Bethlehem, McGregor was really deprived of scoring first blood when he drove the ball at least a foot inside of the net but it was immediately returned by one of the Fall River backs. This success came in a scrimmage shortly before Rattray completely beat Kerr with a corner that won the trophy. It was during a torrid scrimmage at the very mouth of the Fall River goal when McGregor drove the ball at Kerr. The sphere struck the latter on the shoulder and caromed over his shoulder. However, a back was in the rear and immediately headed the ball out.

The fact that Bethlehem passed during the major portion of the game can be gleaned by the many corners forced. No less than ten corners were conceded by Fall River and in regards to these let it be mentioned here that Goldie and Alec Jackson placed them beautifully right to the mouth of the net. Four corners were conceded to Fall River.

For once Capt. "Bill" Carnihan won the choice and immediately after the kickoff Bethlehem started down the field.

It was not until after thirty minutes of play that Bethlehem realized its first and lone counter. That came as the result of a free kick within inches of the touch line and which was beautifully placed by McGregor. In the scrimmage Rattray got possession and the veteran experience of Bethlehem's versatile player stood him in good stead. Instead of shooting the ball at Kerry, Rattray with a deft little touch pushed it away from the Fall River goalie and located it in the corner of the net, completely beating him.

The line-up:

Bethlehem -- Fall River
Highfield -- G -- Kerr
Young -- R.F.B. -- Tate
Ferguson -- L.F.B. -- Kemp
McGregor -- R.H.B. -- McPherson
Carnihan -- C.H.B. -- Raeside
Robertson -- L.H.B. -- McGowan
A. Jackson -- O.R. -- Campbell
Rattray -- I.R. -- Reid
W. Jackson -- C.F. -- Brittan
Maxwell -- I.L. -- Morley
Goldie -- O.L. -- McKenna
Referee: W. F. Fraser; linesmen: S. D. Day and A. Lawrie. Goal for Bethlehem by Rattray. Time of halves, 45 minutes.


1923-1924
Bethlehem Steel Soccer Club