New England Soccer Today

#TBT: Pontas Win Soccer Trophy

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Welcome to this week’s edition of “Throwback Thursday,” where we take a trip back in time to spotlight some of the clubs that made their mark on the New England soccer landscape over the past century.

This week, we venture back to the 1939 Times Cup final between District League powers Ponta Delgada Club (Tiverton, R.I..) and St. Michaels  (Fall River, Mass.)  at Bigberry Stadium on May 7, 1939. The Times Cup compeition, sponsored by the New Bedford (Mass.) Times, pitted some of the region’s best clubs every year as they vied for southeastern New England supremacy. Sunday’s match was the second part of a soccer doubleheader at Bigberry Stadium, with the Ponta Juniors and the Silvias taking center stage for the first game.

Note: All information provided in the following game report was drawn from the May 8, 1939 edition of The Evening Herald (Fall River, Mass.)

Pontas Win Soccer Trophy
St. Michaels Lose 1-0 in Times Final
Game Decided on Goal by Lefevre

May 7, 1938

FALL RIVER, Mass. – The Ponta Delgada Club becamse Southeastern New England champions after a 1-0 win over St. Michaels in Sunday’s Times Cup final at Bigberry Stadium.

A paid crowd of 1,350 witnessed second half substitute Armand Lefevre score midway through the second stanza, while goalie Tavares kept the sheet clean for the Pontas. A big turnout was expected after promoters announced that women would be admitted free of charge.

The Times Cup clash was preceded by a Fernley Cup battle between the Ponta Delgada Juniors and the Silvias, which claimed the trophy in a 3-2 triumph.

Bland Comes Close Twice

Shortly after the opening whistle, Ralph Lizotte sent a drive forward that Bobby Bland nodded on frame. But his header only grabbed the top of the crossbar, much to the relief of the St. Michaels selection.

Bland got another crack at goal minutes later when another header barely cleared the crossbar. On both chances, goalie Michaels had been clearly beat.

St. Michaels best bid for a goal of their own came at the dawn of the second half, when Tony Isadore found Mack Almeida in the box. Almeida put a quick shot on goalie Taveres, who briefly bobbled it, but cleared it away shortly thereafter.

No Chance to Save

Although they dominated St. Michaels from start to finish, the Pontas encountered problems in putting their opponents away, despite some fine passing and impressive combinations. Somehow, the scoreboard remained unblemished through the first half, with all three of the Pontas shots missing their target. But the second act would finally see the Pontas pull through.

Lefevre whet the crowd’s appetite shortly after coming on when he sent a sizzling shot from distance that smacked the post. The rebound fell into the penalty area, where a scrimmage ensued before the ball was knocked into the rigging behind the goal.

But the Pontas’ outside left would not be denied moments later. Giving it another go, this time from inside the area, Lefevre uncorked a shot that rose above the reach of keeper Tony Michaels that lodged itself under the bar.

Corner Kicks Cleared

The Pontas continued their offensive displays after Lefevre’s goal, and did well to keep their adversaries at bay until the waning moments, where St. Michaels collected a pair of corner kicks. But both chances were sent out of harm’s away.

Bland, Jack Oliveira, Johnny Travis, as well as Rego and Gordon Andrews put in fine performances. for the Pontas, while Michaels and Frank Almeida featured for St. Michaels. The summary:

Ponta Delgadas – Tavares g, Rego rfb, Andrews lfb, Oliveira rhb, Duarte chb, Lizotte lhb, Lopes or, White ir, Bland cf, Garcia il, Travis ol.

St. Michaels – Michaels g, J. Moniz rfb, Martin lfb, Medeiros rhb, J. Almeida chb, F. Almeida chb, A. Moniz or, Johnson ir, M. Almeida cf, A. Isadore il, R. Isadore ol.

Score – Pontas 1, St. Michaels 0. Goal – Lefevre. Subsitution – Lefevre for Lopes. Referee – Turner of Pawtucket. Linesmen – Costa and Smith OF Fall River. 45-minute halves.

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