Before a crowd of enthusiastic soccer fans, Bethlehem eliminated the Joliet F. C. of Illinois, champions of the Middle West, 6 goals to 0, in a semi-final contest in the national cup competition on the new athletic grounds of the Bethlehem Steel Company on Saturday. Weather and field conditions were ideal. Bethlehem gave perhaps the best exhibition of football in its career.
Major A. B. de Saulles threw out the ball at the beginning of the game.
By playing Easton at center forward, this player's style of football bewildered the entire defense of the Joliet team. He scored 3 goals himself and but for his unselfish play could easily have helped score several points more. Murray and Fletcher covered Vidano, the visitors' star outside left, to very good advantage, while Kirkpatrick and Ferguson took care of Faletta, their outside right. After the second goal, Joliet's defense crumbled as if it had been scattered with shot and shell, and the westerners lost heart while Bethlehem simply romped away with a much easier victory than confidently anticipated before the game began. Saturday's defeat was Joliet's first reverse out of thirty-three games played this season.
After the contest Manager Shea admitted that it was the worst defeat ever suffered by his team, and he cannot quite fathom the remarkable showing made by Bethlehem except for the wonderful forward playing. For Bethlehem, Easton easily carried off the honors as the star performer , with Campbell, Pepper, Ferguson and Fletcher giving a good account of themselves. For Joliet, Vidano and Jones showed to the best advantage.
Duncan - G -- Purdy
Fletcher - R. F. B. -- Eneretta
Ferguson - L. F. B. -- Gommora
Murray - R. H. B. -- Born
Campbell - C. H. B. -- Jones
Kirkpatrick - L. H. B. -- Shaw
McKelvey - O. R. -- Faletta
Pepper - I. R. -- Smith
Easton - C. F. - Oberta
Forrest - I. L. -- Herron
Fleming - O. L. -- Vidano
Goals: Easton, 3; Pepper, 2; Fleming (penalty). Referee - O. E. Creighton, New York City. Linesmen - Waldron, Philadelphia; Carpenter, Bethlehem. Time of halves - 45 minutes.