TheCup.us introduces “The First Cup” series, which revisits the first running of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (then known as the National Challenge Cup) that took place from the fall of 1913 to the spring of 1914.
Editor’s note: As you read this, you’ll notice a lot of players with just one name. This is not an oversight on our part, but rather, many of the sources of this information (newspapers, publications etc.) only use the last name of players in their stories. If you have confirmation of any of their names, or any other details that would add to our historical records, feel free to reach out to us HERE. We are always looking for help with historical research.
Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.
The New Bedford Football Club reached the semifinals of the 1914 National Challenge Cup with a decisive 4-1 victory over Peabody FC of Philadelphia’s Allied American League.
Playing in front of over 3,500 spectators at home, the New Bedford club jumped to a 2-0 halftime lead, although the visitors looked early on to be the stronger team. In the first five minutes of play Evans and J. Marley of Peabody tested New Bedford goalkeeper Howarth with fast drives which were turned away. New Bedford took control of the game, with Klem scoring the first goal from a splendid centering pass from Murphy. By the halftime whistle Freddett doubled the lead with a hard drive.
New Bedford’s lead grew to 3-0 shortly after the start of the second half on a goal from Chadwick. Peabody avoided the shutout when M. Marley scored after a serried of short passes. New Bedford notched their fourth and final goal when Morgan headed in a corner kick from Jimmy Murphy. Murphy was singled out by the Philadelphia Inquirer as the standout player of the game, noting that his “work at outside right was remarkable to behold.”
Path to the Quarterfinals
New Bedford FC
Round 1: Forfeit win over Farr Alpaca (Holyoke, MA)*
* New Bedford won 3-1, but Farr Alpaca’s protest was upheld. Farr Alpaca was unable to play the replay due to a conflicting league game.
Round 2: 3-0 win over Presbyterian FC (Bridgeport, CT)
Round 3: 2-0 over West Philadelphia FC
Peabody FC
Round 1: Bye
Round 2: 1-1 draw vs. Wissinoming FC (Tacony, PA), 3-0 win in replay
Round 3: Forfeit win over St. George FC (Manhattan, NY)*
*Game in Philadelphia on Jan. 24 called off due to weather, St. George was unable to field a team for the replay.
1913/14 National Challenge Cup Quarterfinals
New Bedford FC 4:1 Peabody FC (2-0 HT)
Scoring Summary
New Bedford: Klemm 1H’, Freddett 1H’, Chadwick 2H”, Morgan 2H’ (Murphy)
Peabody: M. Marley 2”
Lineups
New Bedford: Haworth, Preston, Mahen, Holden, Raistrick, Brown, Murphy, Klemm, Morgan, Chadwick, Fredette
Peabody: R.W. Hanna, Whitson, Hawley, Lynch, W. Hanna, Leslie, Evans, M. Marley, J. Marley, Jacovelli, Meadows
Att – 3,500 Referee – Schofield
THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup
Sept. 12, 1913 / Oct. 11, 1913: How the 1913/14 National Challenge Cup began
Nov. 1, 1913: The inaugural National Challenge Cup gets under way
Nov. 2, 1913: Brooklyn Field Club begins their journey as Round 1 concludes
Nov. 29 1913: Farr Alpaca forfeit Round 1 replay with New Bedford FC
Dec. 6, 1913: Four teams move on to Round 3, two more to be decided by protest or replay
Dec. 14, 1913: Second Round nearly complete as USFA announces protest results, draw for Round 3
Dec. 21, 1913: Third time’s the charm for St. George FC as Round 2 comes to a close
Jan. 12, 1914: Rochester’s MacNaughton Rangers forfeit replay with Niagara Falls Rangers
Jan. 24, 1914: Differing opinions as New Bedford FC eliminates West Philadelphia FC to reach quarterfinals
Jan. 25, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club, Columbia Oval join the quarterfinals
Mar. 8, 1914: Pullman FC beats Hyde Park Blues in Chicago derby to complete quarterfinal field
Mar. 28, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club defeat ‘cup holders’ Yonkers FC to reach Challenge Cup Semifinals
Mar. 29, 1914: Brooklyn Celtic defense carries them past Columbia Oval, into Semifinals
Apr. 5, 1914: Niagara Falls Rangers topple Pullman FC to complete Semifinal field
Apr. 18, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club edge New Bedford FC to reach inaugural National Challenge Cup Final
Apr. 26, 1914: Brooklyn Celtic cruises past Niagara Falls Rangers to reach inaugural National Challenge Cup Final
Before the 1913/1914 Final: By boat or by train, Brooklyn Field Club, Brooklyn Celtic prepare for inaugural National Challenge Cup Final
May 16, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club wins inaugural National Challenge Cup on late winner over Brooklyn Celtic
