"Every player in fine fettle and ready for the kick-off," is the word passed from the Bethlehem Steel Athletic Field where all this week the Bethlehem Steel soccer team had been priming for the important game against Fall River, national champions, on the Steel lot tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock.
The national champions, humiliated by their defeat at the hands of Bethlehem in the American Cup game last Sunday, will arrive in New York City this evening on the first leg of their journey to Bethlehem and will rest up in the metropolis until tomorrow morning when the team comes to Bethlehem. Because many of the Fall River players were former Bethlehemites, several were expected to spend the night with friends in Bethlehem.
With fair weather tomorrow, the stage is all set for the classic and it is safe to say that even a heavy downpour would hardly prevent these two intense rivals from getting together. It is hoped, however, that weather conditions will be favorable for in both cup games the field conditions were somewhat marred by incessant rains. Many soccer critics have expressed the desire of seeing these two teams clash on a dry and fast turf and will no doubt have this opportunity tomorrow afternoon if the weather forecast runs true to form.
The defensive department of the Steel Workers for tomorrow's game is practically decided with the same players in the lineup who opposed Fall River in the cup game at Jersey City on last Sunday afternoon. This selection became definite yesterday afternoon after the long and hard workout. That means that Highfield will be in goal, Jock Young and Davy Ferguson, fullbacks; Robertson, Carnihan and McGregor, halfbacks.
The forward line has not been selected but it was learned that the choice of five will be made from six of the Bethlehem front liners with the only doubt probably at one of the inside positions. The Jacksons, Walter and Alec, are practically certain, with the latter again performing on the outside wing, Rattray, who scored the only and winning goal against Fall River last week will probably be located at the inside position of the same wing with Alec Jackson where his veteran experience can be of the most value; Goldie as outside left is also a practical certainty with a choice to be made between Sturdy Maxwell and Johnny Granger, for the inside left position. Granger, who was nursing an injured leg showed up very good in practice this week.
Although no definite word has been received from Fall River relative to the lineup there is little doubt of any changes other than that of Jimmy Fryer, a halfback, in place of McGowan. The standing of the clubs and the individual scoring to date is as follows:
Goals |
||||||
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Fall River |
18 |
5 |
1 |
55 |
17 |
41 |
New York |
13 |
7 |
3 |
55 |
20 |
33 |
Bethlehem |
14 |
4 |
5 |
51 |
26 |
32 |
Coats |
9 |
5 |
9 |
51 |
42 |
23 |
Brooklyn |
8 |
5 |
12 |
44 |
41 |
21 |
Giants |
6 |
5 |
11 |
31 |
41 |
17 |
Philadelphia |
5 |
3 |
17 |
30 |
61 |
13 |
Newark |
3 |
0 |
18 |
17 |
47 |
6 |
Leading Goal Scorers
A. Stark, New York, 20; Fleming, Coats, 16; A. Jackson, Bethlehem, 13; Hogg, Brooklyn, 13; Brittan, Fall River, 13; Duggan, New York, 12; Adam, Coats, 12; McGhee, New York, 11; W. Jackson, Bethlehem, 10; Curtis, Brooklyn, 9; McPherson, Fall River, 9; Cosgrove, Brooklyn, 8; McNiven, New York, 8; Reid, Fall River, 8; Campbell, Fall River, 8; Goldie, Bethlehem 8; McLeavey, Coats, 7; Turner, Bethlehem, 6; Grainger, Bethlehem, 6; Sweeney, Giants, 6; Rudolph, Philadelphia, 5; Drummond, Coats, 5; Morley, Fall River, 5; Hibbert, Coats, 4; Rattray, Bethlehem, 4; Harvey, Coats, 4; Hoeps, Giants, 4; Brown, Newark, 4; Nicholson, Philadelphia, 4; Cullen, Philadelphia, 4; Nichol, Brooklyn, 4; Bremmer, Giants, 4; McKenna, Fall River, 3; McGowan, Fall River, 3; Pepper, Giants, 3; Lawther, Newark, 3; Gibson, Philadelphia, 3; Best, Newark, 3; Fryer, Fall River, 3; Shearer, Philadelphia, 3; Hardy, Brooklyn, 3; Maxwell, Bethlehem, 3; Heminsley, Newark, 3.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday
At Pawtucket, R. I. -- J & P Coats A. A. F. C. vs. New York Soccer Club. Referee, Fred Odell, Valley Falls, R. I.
At Bethlehem, Pa. -- Bethlehem Steel F. C. vs. Fall River F. C. Referee, Thomas Cunningham, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Sunday
At New York Oval -- New York Soccer Club vs. Fall River F. C. Referee, George Young, Philadelphia, Pa.
At New York Oval -- National Giants F. C. vs. Brooklyn F. C. Referee, Edward McCabe, New York City.