Soccer Fans Were Quite Enthusiastic
What the attendance lacked in numbers at the Bethlehem Steel-Robins Dry Dock, National League game on Saturday afternoon, was offset by the enthusiasm displayed during the progress of the game. It's been a long time since the crowd was worked up to the pitch apparent among the spectators on Saturday and it's a fair indication that the interest of the sport has taken a stronger hold. This feeling of bitter rivalry was particularly noticeable among the fans gathered on the boardwalk located along the field opposite the grandstand and at one time the fans really threatened to surge out on the field and take vengeance on one of the visiting players. Neil Clark, a former Bethlehem player, was the victim of their attack. From all indications, Neil's style of play did not meet with their approval and it did not take them long to voice their sentiments. In the stands, the fans were on their toes throughout the greater part of the game and plaudits were frequent, especially so after Bethlehem forged to the front by annexing the first counter and a short time later added another goal. The contest was spiritedly waged and although Bethlehem had the edge on the day's work, the Robins were dangerous all the time.
Young Appeared Off Color
George Young, recognized as the dean of soccer officials in this section of the country, appeared to be a bit off color on Saturday and "missed many." As a result, he was the target of some severe criticism served out by the fans. George, however, missed them both ways, so in summing up his errors he was impartial to both clans, while it may be that the fans were a bit partial to the home delegation and detected the visitors' infractions more readily than those of the home team. Young may have had an off day, but that is a condition that is apt to occur with the best referees in any branch of sport. Fans should also consider that soccer is by no means a parlor game and that roughness is more likely to crop out in a contest where rivalry is as keen as that existing between Bethlehem and the Robins.
Renzulli Fearless in Goal
As one of the most glowing features of Saturday's contest, one cannot help but point to the work of Renzulli, the visitors' goal keeper. In guarding the citadel he deprived Bethlehem of at least one additional counter and in taking care of the net he displayed excellent ability in performing the task. ON several occasions he accurately timed aggressive movements and deserted the sticks to rush out on the field and bang the ball out of the danger zone. Under fire he is cool and uses good judgment and is fearless of probable physical harm in his efforts to save or clear. This was noticed in one instance when after saving a shot from Fleming, he earned the plaudits of the fans when he threw himself head foremost to recover the ball directly in the path of a terrific charge by Billy Forrest. As a goalkeeper, Renzulli can make them all step, and is surely a valuable man to the Robins' team.
Gentle Hint Suggesting a Transfer
Since officials of the Bethlehem Steel team emphatically denied the possibility of the transfer of the Steel Workers to some other locality, occasional hints, nevertheless, have appeared from time to time apparently in the hope of agitating such a movement and referring to the transfer with glowing prospects. Since the local officials, however, are determined not to make any changes, these efforts will hardly influence them. The latest reference made to such a transfer and apparently in the sports columns of a Philadelphia paper, says:
"By placing the Bethlehem team in this city as one of the teams in the proposed Eastern Soccer League, the spectators would revive the interest in the game which has been lagging since the hey-day of the old Pennsylvania League."
Bethlehem is to remain the permanent home of the Steel Workers, according to the decision of the local magnates, and in view of this it might be advisable if the Philadelphia promoters directed their efforts elsewhere in hopes of luring a representative aggregation to that city.
Protest to be Reconsidered
The Eries apparently are determined to remain in the National Cup competition, despite the fact that several weeks ago their protest of the fourth round National Cup game against the Robins was thrown out. The protest was based on the grounds that spectators encroached on the field. Not satisfied with the decision, the Erie management appealed to George Healy, of Detroit, president of the United States Football Association, and the latter has ordered a rehearing. The whole question will now be again gone over, the result of which will be awaited with intense interest by all soccer followers.
Soccer Dopesters In a Bad Way
Frequent upsets in recent soccer tilts have left soccer prophets in a bad way in doping out the merits of the foremost teams. By virtue of recent performances, the Steel Workers loom up on paper and figures as the leading team. This rating must be given the local clan despite the elimination in the National and American Cup competitions. Erie defeated Bethlehem in the National Cup and then was eliminated by the Robins in a game that is under protest. The Robins, after being defeated by Bethlehem in a National League game, came here and administered the first defeat to the Steel Workers on their home grounds, thereby eliminating them in the American Cup. Yesterday a week ago Erie defeated Robins in a National League game and on Saturday afternoon Bethlehem avenged their cup defeat by scoring the second victory of the season over the Robins. As a matter of comparison, and one that should bear considerable weight in sizing up the merits of the leading Eastern teams, reference is made to the New York F. C. – Erie A. A> game played yesterday in New York. The Gothamites created a big surprise by walloping the Erie clan by the score of 4 goals to 0. Two weeks ago the New Yorkers were completely outclassed by Bethlehem. Hugh Kelly, manager of the New Yorkers, on that visit, expressed his surprise at the showing of the Steel Workers, remarking: "It's a mystery how the team lost to Robins." After comparing the result of these recent games, the mystery is not along confined to Kelly. Out of this entanglement of results dopesters are trying to gather material to substantiate their arguments which will be a rather delicate situation.