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Kenneth Kelley, of Frost, brought in this story about the Frost Soccer team. Kelley also filled in the blank about the missing name last week. E. G. Sharp is seated third from the right.

The Pocahontas Times
September 5, 1929

The Football Game
Some observations by Douglas McNeill, Umpire

There appears to be sort of a soccer football revival in Pocahontas these days, and the Newport News vs. Frost game at the Fair decidedly increased this interest. The Editor believes that the Newport-Frost game should be written up for publication and he asks that, as referee of the game, I do this write-up.

From the standpoint of the spectator the game was the best the younger generation of Pocahontasites has seen, and the writer has not seen another soccer game so cleanly played and so devoid of rough tactics. From the standpoint of sportsmanship the game must be given a grade A-plus.

As to the technique and performance the score of 4 to 1 correctly indicates that Frost was outplayed by the visitors. The play of the Frost team lacked some of its usual dash. This is to be charged to the poor management which permitted the team to play throughout Fair Week, then attempt the major game while in poor physical condition. But the Newport News partisans may also argue with justice that the trip from Newport News was a handicap.

The age of the members of the Frost team also told in the result. A number of the Frost men must be approaching 50 years of age, and it is a remarkable testimonial to their stamina that they are able to give such an exhibition of endurance and activity. The Newport boys were too young for Frost -- too limber in the knees.

The Newport News team was coached. Mr. Jacques, president of the club, was a noted player in England and coached there for many years before coming to America. Mr. Dawson, manager, was, in his day one of the greatest soccer players England had ever produced and on one occasion kicked the only goal scored in a game for the championship of the Empire. With these men coaching and managing it is small wonder that Frost found itself outmaneuvered, for Frost never had a coach, and it is doubtful whether in 30 years the team has spent 20 minutes discussing offensive plays or working out defensive tactics. An excellent example of this lack of coaching was shown in the scoring of a goal made by Newport shortly after the game started. Immediately after kick-off the Newport center secured the ball and on a short dribble down center drew two half-backs out of position. A pass to outside right and 15 yard dribble close toﾠthe sideline completely uncovered the opposite side of the field and when the right end passed to the extreme left the goal kicking Scot found not a single player opposing him and was able to score with ease. I have not been asked to give the Frost team good advice. However, I am risking the opinion that it is unfortunate in having two excellent fullbacks. I say "unfortunate" because against inexperienced teams the fullbacks have been able to hold the five opposing forwards thus leaving the halfbacks and forwards entirely to offensive play. No pair of fullbacks, however great, can cope with five speedy forwards who pass the ball. Hence it is suggested that the Frost team work out some plans for supporting the fullbacks after the opposing forwards break through the line of halfbacks. Am also venturing to assert that with Dawson coaching the Frost team one week, the scoring by Newport News would be cut in half.

The big thing is that we had a real game of soccer. Frost, though beaten, played a game that should win against any but a powerful team, and it predicted that the team will do much better if a game is arranged for next year.

The Newport News team throughout was made up of real soccer men who play for the love of the game. They lost some money on the game here, and their center forward, Janes, made a wild drive by car from Toledo in order that he might get into the game. I do not know the plans of the Fair management, but if a football team is to be imported next year, Newport News gets my vote.

Your History

The Pocahontas Times
September 12, 1929

Soccer Football
Playing before a crowd of more than 3,500 persons who jammed every available inch of space around the field in the Pocahontas County Fairgrounds, the Newport News soccer club, undefeated champions of Virginia, staged a great uphill battle to whip the crack Frost Club, four goals to one, for the interstate championship at Marlinton.

The West Virginia champions had prior to this game an unbeaten record for four years. The Frost Club was formed 30 years ago, and has a unique history, being one of the first clubs in the United States to organize the dribbling game, and since its inception has held a very high place among the numerous soccer clubs of West Virginia, where the game is extremely popular. Another record held by the Frost Club in the monopoly of positions on the team by one family, six Sharp brothers being regulars in the lineup.

The locals completed a three week training program under Trainer Ted Dawson before heading into West Virginia, and met the Frost 11 in a feature event of the Pocahontas County Fair at Marlinton. The game was played under ideal weather conditions, and created great interest in that part of the state, spectators coming from as great as 60 miles.

The West Virginians won the spin of the coin. Newport News starting the ball. After a series of even exchanges, the Virginians took up the running and executed several well concerted movements which all the visiting forwards showed to advantage. About 10 minutes from the kickoff, the Shipbuilders obtained possession of the ball, and after a well planned forward movement Janes fastened on the ball and beat the home goalie with a master shot. Keeping up the pressure Newport News kept the ball in the homesters territory, Young and J. Atkinson pleasing the crowd by their play on the left wing. The ball came again to the feet of Janes, who lobbed in a high spot which took Killingsworth by surprise, scoring the visitors second goal.

Nothing daunted, the Frost men got together and took up the running and on several occasions it seemed that their forwards would come through but the Shipbuilders' defense prevailed, Jacques relieving the pressure with several fine clearances.

The close and accurate passing of the visitors' forwards kept the Frost rear division on the run and Young fastened on to a forward pass and registered the third goal for Newport News after 30 minutes of play. The pace was telling on both teams and play consequently slowed down, the remaining 15 minutes of the first half being uneventful. From a scrimmage in front of the homesters' goal, Janes came through again with a clever shot, the score at half-time being: Newport News 4; Frost 0.

With the resumption of play, the Frost team got quickly into their stride, and after several persistent attempts, succeeded in beating Wallace with a shot that gave the visiting custodian no chance.

Play hereabouts became extremely fast with the homesters pressing for the first 20 minutes of the second half. Jacques and Fond however were equal to all demands made upon them, play being transferred again into the homesters' territory.

Several stoppages had to be made by the referee owing to minor injuries to players, Wallace being accidentally kicked in the eye, and Brown suffering from cramps.

It is seldom that a team with such a big deficit against them continues in control of the game, but the Frost players stuck to their guns and gave a very plucky display. At times it looked as if the Shipbuilders goal would win, but their efforts met with no results. Newport News from this point on had no difficulty in maintaining the substantial lead, and ran out winner with the final score reading: Newport News 4; Frost 1.

The Frost team won commendations for the locals for their game display of pluck. Their forwards had good command of the ball and displayed an excellent combination but when close in their shooting was erratic and many opportunities went begging.

As a team the victors seldom have given a better exhibition of the soccer game. Wallace had plenty to do in goal and made a creditable appearance. H. Fond and Jacques caused the home forwards no end of trouble. J. Atkinson, Brown and Barry made a very reliable trio at halfback and supported their forwards with accurate ground passes at all times.

At forward the visitors always in the ascendancy with Janes playing a stellar role by scoring three goals. Young and J. Atkinson on the left wing were a bag of tricks and delighted the crowd by their antics. On the right wing R. Wallace gave with a very able partner to Pollock who not only fed his partner judiciously, but assisted in no small way at times in a role of a fourth half-back.

A final analysis of the game revealed that the West Virginians were beaten by a more scientific 11, who at times drew applause from the crowd by their clever passing and perfect team understanding.

Loyal players were unanimous in expressions of pleasure to Dr. S. B. Wallace, president of the fair association, for the hospitality afforded them while his guests.

Frost Team
Killingsworth - c
M. Sharp -rb
S. Moore - lb
Gibson - rh
H. Sharp- ch
Shrader - lh
A. Sharp - or
Moore - c
E. Sharp - il
G. Sharp - ol

Newport News Team
I. Wallace - c
H. Fond - rb
Jacques - lb
J. Atkinson - rh
Brown - ch
Barry - lh
R. Wallace - or
Janes - c
J. Atkinson - il
Young - ol

Referee: G. D. McNeill, principal Marlinton High School. Linesmen: W. McDale, Upton Sharp- Newport News Times.

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