American Football Association Cup 1913
Upsets were the trend in the latest edition of the American Football Association Cup. Many Ultimate Division squads, including the division champions New York Fomorians, fell in the first round. This led to opportunities for many lower division squads to advance. Baltimore Chimney Swifts were the only Ultimate Division club to reach the final four. Two Penultimate sides – Old Nassau 1869 and Richmond Railers – made it to the semifinals where they were joined by Mid-American team Waukesha Town 1866.
In the first semifinal, the Penultimate Division champion Old Nassau 1869 hosted the two-time AFA Cup champion Chimney Swifts (1901, 1908). The lads from Princeton, NJ, were eager to prove that they once again belonged with the big boys. In addition, it featured a sibling rivalry between Will Blevins of Old Nassau and Bennett Blevins of Baltimore. A goal by Will Blevins from Hoover in the 22nd minute put Old Nassau up, but the Chimney Swifts struck back quickly with goals by Bennett Blevins and Jackson Edwards in the 28th and 30th respectively. Just as quickly, Hoover drew the game even with a penalty kick in the 31st. Early in the 2nd half, Adan Johnson found himself unmarked on a corner kick and headed home an uncontested winner in the 47th minute.
In the second semifinal, Waukesha Town had high hopes of advancing after Erick Shephard hit a bomb from 40 yards in the 37th that befuddled Richmond goalkeeper Chase Faulkner. The lead held up until halftime. In the second half, the Railers came out like a runaway freight train and pounded the Waukesha goal. Within a dozen minutes, Richmond posted 3 goals from Madden, Stanton, and Bauer. After that, there was no hope for Waukesha Town.
The AFA Final was played at Princeton University’s Palmer Stadium, home of Old Nassau 1869. With a sea of orange and black support, the hosts looked to add to the Penultimate Division title. Richond had other ideas, and in the 10th minute, Zavier Madden took a 30-yard free kick that deflected off the crossbar and then off the back of Nassau goalkeeper Atticus Roth for the opening goal. Old Nassau was undaunted and got the equalizer from Greyson Bartlett who raced through the Railer defense and slotted the ball past Faulkner in the 22nd minute. Bartlett did it again 11 minutes later, much to the delight of the local fans. The team spent so much time celebrating that the referee allowed Richmond to kick off while the Old Nassau players were still reveling with the crowd. Madden pushed the ball into an empty goal for the equalizer. Landon Frank put the Railers ahead with his head, knocking in a long cross from Madden in the 38th minute.
As the halftime whistle blew with Richmond leading 3-2, Old Nassau players and fans were unrelenting in their criticism of the referee. However, the goal stood. After halftime, the crowd’s displeasure dissipated as Old Nassau came out playing sparkling football. It only took 3 minutes for the brilliance to pay off as a double pass combination between Adan Johnson and Will Blevins put the latter free on goal where he deftly beat Faulkner for the equalizer. Old Nassau continued to dazzle the crowd and their opponents with nifty passing. In the 57th minute, play on the right side drew the Railer defense that way. In doing so, they lost track of Gil Costigan, whom Blevins found with a quick diagonal ball. Costigan dribbled around Faulkner for the game winning goal.
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