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Barney Battles

Dec. 24, 1927 – Billy Gonsalves makes debut with Boston Wonder Workers

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Right inside forward Billy Gonsalves scored and set up Bobby Blair’s fifth-minute opening goal in his Boston Wonder Workers debut, a 4-0 win over the Brooklyn Wanderers. Barney Battles, who had been signed after playing for amateur teams in Charlestown, was also in the Boston starting lineup. Boston moved into first place but fell out of the lead with a 4-2 loss at Brooklyn on Christmas Day.

“[Gonsalves] was in great form and he finished up a great play beating three of the Brooklyn men, flashing the ball into the net for Boston’s fourth and last goal.” (The Boston Globe) [Read more…] about Dec. 24, 1927 – Billy Gonsalves makes debut with Boston Wonder Workers

March 11, 1928 – New York Nationals 1:1 Boston Wonder Workers at the Polo Grounds. Goals: Wortmann; Barney Battles

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The Boston Wonder Workers played to a 1-1 draw with the New York Nationals on a field that was “very heavy in spots,” according to The Boston Globe. The Wonder Workers moved 22-year-old Barney Battles to center forward in the second half, and the change paid off as he scored the equalizer “at 25 minutes” after he “whipped the ball past (Pete) Renzulli after a scrimmage a few yards from the net.” [Read more…] about March 11, 1928 – New York Nationals 1:1 Boston Wonder Workers at the Polo Grounds. Goals: Wortmann; Barney Battles

Dec. 31, 1924 – ‘A real old-fashioned soccer night’

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The Boston Soccer Social Club announced a dance at Sir Walter Scott Hall, Caledonian Building (corner of Appleton and Berkeley streets). The Boston Soccer Social Club was comprised of Boston SC Wonder Workers supporters. [Read more…] about Dec. 31, 1924 – ‘A real old-fashioned soccer night’

Dec. 19, 1925 – Boston Wonder Workers 3:1 Shawsheen Indians at Walpole St. Grounds

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Barney Battles Jr. scored twice for the Boston Wonder Workers. “… Boston’s kid forward came into his own … the best game he has played since he joined the pro ranks.” [Read more…] about Dec. 19, 1925 – Boston Wonder Workers 3:1 Shawsheen Indians at Walpole St. Grounds

April 26, 1925 – Boston SC earns U.S. soccer title, trip to White House

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Boston Soccer Club won the equivalent of a national championship, defeating St. Louis champion Ben Millers, 3-2. Johnny Ballantyne, Barney Battles and Tommy “Whitey” Fleming scored for Boston, Jimmy Dunn and Pee Wee Fitzgerald for the Ben Millers.

The Boston Globe story noted: “The day was too hot for good soccer.” The Millers’ Tommy White suffered a fractured leg in the first seven minutes of play (in the second half) in a collision with W. Ballantyne. [Read more…] about April 26, 1925 – Boston SC earns U.S. soccer title, trip to White House

April 12, 1925 – Providence 3:1 Boston at Kinsley Park (Att.: 4,000)

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U.S. national team captain Tommy Florie converted a penalty kick and Tewfik Abdallah also scored as the Providence Clamdiggers took a 2-1 halftime lead, Barney Battles countering for Boston. Abdallah, nicknamed “Toothpick,” moved from Zamalek to Derby County in 1920, becoming the second Egyptian to play professionally in England. Abdallah played for Providence from 1924-26, then moved to the Fall River Marksmen, Hartford Americans and New York Nationals before returning to Egypt to play for Al Ahly and El Mokhtalt, concluding his career with Montreal Carsteel.

The previous day, Battles had scored as Boston took a 3-1 victory over the Ben Millers of St. Louis in the American Professional Championship before a 4,000 crowd at the Walpole Street Grounds.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 11, 1928 — Snowfall Too Heavy for Boston-New Bedford

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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

Feb. 12, 1928 – The story of Barney Battles

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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