March 5, 1927 – New Bedford breaks records

The New Bedford Whalers rallied from a three-goal halftime deficit to take a 4-3 win over Boston in an American Soccer League match at the Walpole Street Grounds. The “record” the Whalers apparently surpassed was earning their first win in Boston, according to the Boston Globe report. “The Woodsies” (nicknamed for owner A.G. Wood) took the lead on a Hampton own goal: “the ex-Chelsea goalkeeper proceeded to give Boston a goal by throwing the ball into his own net.” This was probably Colin Hampton MM, who played for Chelsea from 1914-24 (also serving in the Machine Gun Corps in Mesopotamia). Former Scottish international Alec McNab and Bobby Blair (38 goals in 38 games that season) upped the lead to 3-0.

The Whalers rallied behind the play of Sam Chedgzoy, “one of the greatest wingers in the English game,” according to Colin Jose. England-born center forward Andy Stevens (36 goals in 36 games) headed in a Jerry Best cross, then “Dynamite” converted on a 40-yard free kick (assuming this was former Kilmarnock wing half Alec Lorimer), and Best scored the tying goal. Chedgzoy, who earned eight camps with England’s national team in the ’20s, crossed for “Sturdy” Maxwell, who “belted the ball into the net” for the deciding score.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY