Andy Stevens scored both goals as the New Bedford Whalers took a 2-0 win over Bethlehem Steel in an American Soccer League match. On the same day, Bethlehem Steel Corp. reported in its 22nd annual statement “shipments and deliveries by subsidiary companies of $304,361,805 for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 1926 … net income for the year was equivalent to $7.48 per share on the common stock (up from $5.30 the previous year).” The next day, Bethlehem Steel would concluded its two-day road trip with a 4-2 win over the Providence Clamdiggers. [Read more…] about March 19, 1927 – Bethlehem Steel loses in New Bedford, profits big time
American Soccer League
March 11, 1928 — Snowfall Too Heavy for Boston-New Bedford
At least one soccer match was snowed out on the second Saturday in March, 1928. The next day, though, conditions improved enough for the Fall River Marksmen to play host to J&P Coats in an American Soccer League game in North Tiverton, R.I. The Marksmen took a 3-2 win over the Threadmen as Harold Brittan scored twice, heading in the deciding goal off a Dougie Campbell cross in the second half. [Read more…] about March 11, 1928 — Snowfall Too Heavy for Boston-New Bedford
March 7, 1925 – WTAB will broadcast the Cup semifinal between Fall River and New Bedford
The Boston Globe reported a record crowd of about 18,000 was expected for the match and, in a separate story, noted on March 7, 1925 the announcement: “The Fall River Herald broadcasting station, WTAB, on 266 meters, will broadcast the American League soccer football Cup semifinal between Fall River and New Bedford at Providence tomorrow (Saturday) at 2.” [Read more…] about March 7, 1925 – WTAB will broadcast the Cup semifinal between Fall River and New Bedford
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. [Read more…] about March 5, 1927 – New Bedford breaks records
Feb. 24, 1929 – Fall River Wins on an Icy Field
The Fall River Marksmen took a 2-0 victory over the New Bedford Whalers in a Sunday game before a 3,500 crowd. The game “was well played despite the heavy condition of the field,” according to the Boston Globe story. In the second half, “ice commenced to form on the field, making play dangerous.” Tec White and Johnny Granger scored.
[Read more…] about Feb. 24, 1929 – Fall River Wins on an Icy Field
Feb. 23, 1925 – Boston 1×2 Shawsheen
This was considered a major upset, since Boston had contracted several top British star players to play in the American Soccer League. According to the Boston Globe story, Carrie and Blyth scored for Shawsheen, Hamill for Boston, and Shawsheen’s Murdoch saved a McIntyre penalty kick at the Walpole-st Grounds. [Read more…] about Feb. 23, 1925 – Boston 1×2 Shawsheen
Feb. 16, 1929 – Goal-scorers & ‘keepers
There had been evidence the U.S. could produce high level goal-scorers and goalkeepers in the early part of the century, as Archie Stark (253 goals), Johnny Nelson (223) and Davey Brown (189) became the top three career scorers in the American Soccer League. New Englanders included U.S. national team captain Tommy Florie (126) and U.S. national team stars Bert Patenaude (118) and Billy Gonsalves (92). Lower-profile scorers also were emerging, such as Arnie Oliver and Freddie Wall. On this day, Wall scored twice as Philadelphia FC handed the Providence Gold Bugs their only home defeat of second half of ASL season with a 3-2 decision. Wall, born in Fall River, finished seventh in the ASL with 22 goals in 25 games, also playing for the Newark Skeeters.
“The Phils’ center-forward almost won the game single-handed when he scored two goals and passed to Wardrop a third,” according to The Boston Globe account. For the deciding goal, Wall outmaneuvered Joe Kennaway, who would go on to be Celtic FC’s starting goalkeeper from 1931-39. [Read more…] about Feb. 16, 1929 – Goal-scorers & ‘keepers
Feb. 14, 1926 – ‘Great Soccer in the Rain at Tiverton, R.I.’
The U.S. Open Cup (the National Cup then), and American Soccer League games, were conducted through the winter months in the early part of the century. And supporters showed up (and stayed), despite the weather.
On this day, the Boston Wonderworkers held the Fall River Marksmen to a 1-1 draw at Mark’s Stadium.
The subhead in The Boston Globe read:
‘Crowd of 7000 at Game, a League Thriller’
The opening graph noted: “The ground was clear of snow and ice and the teams got away with a bang.” [Read more…] about Feb. 14, 1926 – ‘Great Soccer in the Rain at Tiverton, R.I.’
Feb. 12, 1928 – The story of Barney Battles
On this day in 1928, the Providence Clamdiggers and Boston Wonder Workers played to a 0-0 draw. In the first half, former Chelsea FC center forward Bill Finlayson hit the post and Boston’s Bobby Blair, the American Soccer League’s second-leading scorer (38 goals) the previous season, missed an open net . The Boston Globe story notes Providence goalkeeper Joe Kennaway, who would go on to play for Celtic FC, “fell prone in the mud,” but Blair “hurried his boot and as a result shot clear over the bar.” Blair “rocked the upright with a fine drive” late in the game. In the final two minutes, Boston’s Johnny Ballantyne (Partick Thistle, Queen’s Park Rangers) and Providence’s Jimmy Bardell were ejected for fighting. [Read more…] about Feb. 12, 1928 – The story of Barney Battles
Feb. 9, 1929 – ‘Biggest crowd, best soccer of the season’
Bobby Blair scored twice as J&P Coats took a 3-0 win over the Providence Gold Bugs, remaining unbeaten in the second half of the ASL season in “a contest which brought about the biggest crowd and best soccer of the current season,” according to 2/10/29 editions of the Boston Globe. Providence’s Joe Kennaway would go on to become Celtic FC goalkeeper from 1931-39.
On the same day, the Boston Wonder Workers were upset, 4-3, by Jersey City at the Walpole Street Grounds. The visitors from Skeeterville “inject(ed) Jimmy Douglas, Olympic goalie of 1924 into their lineup” and “deserved to win,” according to the Globe account. “The field was heavy, in fact it was ankle deep in mud …” [Read more…] about Feb. 9, 1929 – ‘Biggest crowd, best soccer of the season’