Nov. 10, 1909 – Fall River Rovers 1:1 Pilgrims at Atlantic Grounds (Att.: 4,000)

The Fall River Rovers achieved surprising results in two games played near the conclusion of the Pilgrims’ tour. The Pilgrims’ Sim opened the scoring “30 minutes” into the second half. Elliott equalized, heading in a Sunderland corner “after 80 minutes.”

According to The Boston Globe: “No score was made in the first half, during which the Rovers had much the better of the play. In the second half, some great football was shown. The scientific game of the Britishers was a revelation to the Fall River players, who did wonderfully well in the face of big odds.”

Nov. 13, 1909 – Fall River Rovers 2:1 Pilgrims (Att.: 3,965)

The Pilgrims 16-2-4 (123-13 goal differential) were on tour from Oct. 2-Nov. 16; their other loss was to the Philadelphia Hibernians (1-0) on Nov. 2.

Sunderland and Elliott scored for the Rovers and Hoare converted a first half penalty kick for the Pilgrims. Rovers’ left fullback Tom Bagley surrendered the penalty kick after a “hands was called,” then sustained an ankle injury and was carried off the field early in the second half, the Rovers finishing the match with a man disadvantage.

Tommy Swords, captain of the first U.S. national team in 1916, played left outside forward for the Rovers.

Note: Technical problems delayed this post

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY