Soccer Officials Sustain Cup Committee
Soccer moguls comprising the National Cup committee of the United States Football Association in discussing the protest of the Erie F. C. against Robins Dry Dock relative to a National Cup game in which the Robins were victorious, came to the same conclusion as the cup committee and decided to throw out the protest. The Eries' complaint was based on the encroachment of spectators on the field and in hearing the testimony the complaint was made by Judge Archibald, representing the Eries. He apparently was the only witness whose contention was that the Erie club was discriminated against and was followed by Referee George Young, who denied the charge. The referee emphatically denied that the spectators interfered with the game in any way, calling special attention to the important fact that he did not stop the play for a single minute during the contest. This was the second hearing given the protest and since the decision of both was the same the Eries will now have to hand the laurels to the Brooklyn aggregation. The determined stance taken by the Kearny, N. J., club in forcing the issue and clamoring for another meeting is probably seen in the slide which the Robins Club has been making the past several weeks. The Eries no doubt believe that since that game, the club has an excellent opportunity of eliminating the Robins if the game was to be replayed basing their belief probably on the fact that since that game, Erie and Bethlehem both defeated the Robins in a league contest and the New York F. C., a club conquered by Bethlehem by a score of 10 goals to 0, came near accomplishing a similar feat last Saturday. By virtue of the result of these games, it would appear that the Robins are either slipping or the other clubs have greatly improved in their recent form.
The Passing of a Left Foot
it is only a small army of soccer fans that usually witnesses the games on the Bethlehem Steel field, but what they lack in numbers they certainly contribute in enthusiasm. It is interesting to note the remarks heard during the progress of the game and usually on the trolley cars en route after the contest, when the game is replayed among the fans. One thing you must hand these fans and that is they certainly are not backward in expressing their opinion and if challenged, are usually backed up with a pretty strong argument to substantiate their claims. One player that has been the subject of much discussion the past several weeks is Whitey Fleming the speedy wingman, who appears to be slowing up considerably. Gleaned from these discussions, the reputed left foot of Fleming, the terror of Bethlehem opponents for several years, is fast losing its effectiveness and in addition the white-topped speedster has lost much of his accuracy in directing his shots toward goal. One cannot help but notice that in the last several games particularly, Fleming has lost many of the traits that were characteristic of the Fleming of old, and it is apparent that his teammates themselves have arrived at this conclusion for charges of "freezing" the outside left have been made in the last two games. From this it would appear that his mates lack the confidence in serving him the ball. Then again, it may be that the effectiveness of Fleming is well known to opponents and that special attention is usually paid him. Many, however, are of the opinion that it is the passing of a once dangerous left foot.