A victory for either team meant much in the league race for both the Steelmen and the Giants are battling to break into the running to qualify for the post-season series to determine the league championship. Bethlehem was forced to a draw simply because the forwards fell down miserably on their many chances to score. Shots were missed by the proverbial hair.
Bethlehem was the aggressor and dominated play, but the defense of the national champions proved adequate and the Steelmen were repulsed time after time. Granger had a fine opening after twenty-five minutes play in the first half, but his punt rolled wide of goal. The Nationals three times got within scoring distance but Goalkeeper Edwards made neat stops and cleared in good style.
In the second half Bethlehem again proved much the superior team. The forwards slipped up on several chances, Gillespie especially having an off day. After fifteen minutes a pass by Rollo to Gillespie was punted wide and ten minutes later a center by Jaap was kicked high over goal by the usually reliable forward who took Stark's place at center forward.
Jaap and Martin got into a [. . . ] and both were banished by Referee Creighton for five minutes. Jaap returned to the game but Martin sustained an injury to his left ankle and did not reappear.
Carlson failed to profit by an opportunity to score. A free kick against Allan was taken by Slavin who sent the sphere toward the goal where Carlson shot wide.
The high wind handicapped the players somewhat. The game attracted 500 fans. Walter Jackson replaced Goldie toward the end of the second half.
Bethlehem -- N. Y. Nationals
Edwards -- G -- Renzulli
McMeekin -- RFB -- Warden
Allan -- LFB -- Donald
W. Reid - -RHB -- Staven
Carnihan -- CHB -- Wilson
McGregor -- LHB -- martin
Jaap -- OR -- Gallagher
Granger -- IR -- Carlson
Gillespie -- CF -- Farrell
Rollo -- IL -- Walker
Goldie -- OL -- McGhee
Referee: C. Creighton. Linesmen: Dave Scott and John Walder. Substitutions: Walter Jackson for Goldie. Forty-five minute halves.
Boston stopped the winning stride of the New York Nationals and again put Bethlehem Steel in the running to qualify for the round robin series to determine the American Soccer League championship by defeating the Nationals at the Polo Grounds on Sunday afternoon by the score of 2 to 1.
The game was bitterly waged and during the progress the effects of the strenuous session of the Nats in the scoreless draw against Bethlehem on Saturday afternoon were plainly visible. By virtue of the Boston victory, the Steelmen are in the third position and the Hubmen, winners of the first half season tied with the Nationals for fourth place.
The defeat of the Nats came after a brilliant string of victories in which such formidable opponents were defeated as Bethlehem Steel, Fall River and New Bedford. The league standing:
|
W. |
L. |
D. |
Pts. |
Pct. |
|
|
New Bedford |
12 |
4 |
5 |
79 |
|
|
Fall River |
13 |
5 |
4 |
||
|
Bethlehem |
9 |
5 |
5 |
||
|
New York Nat'ls |
7 |
4 |
|||
|
Boston |
8 |
5 |
|||
|
Providence |
9 |
9 |
|||
|
New York Giants |
9 |
11 |
3 |
||
|
Brooklyn |
8 |
11 |
3 |
||
|
J & P Coats |
3 |
13 |
|||
|
Newark |
2 |
13 |