Bethlehem at the start immediately put on pressure, and Johnny Jaap had hard luck with a fast shot that just skimmed the top of the crossbar. Then Gillespie went clean through the Nats' defense, but slipped right in the goal mouth and the Nats' goalie kicked away. At the other end McGhee, the Nats' outside left, kept Gibson busy. Most of the visitors' danger came from the left wing where Leonard and McGhee played a bang-up game. Fifteen minutes from the start the Nationals took the lead with a penalty kick when Carnihan was penalized. Warden took the kick and sent the ball in the corner of the net without giving Beveridge a chance. Gillespie equalized ten minutes later after receiving the ball from Purgavie. Tommy dashed between the backs and didn't give Renzulli a chance to even seen the ball. It was Gillespie who gave Bethlehem the lead a little later. Dick sent in a humming shot that Renzulli got to and only partly cleared and Tommy rushed in and made it two one. The Steelmen were not allowed to enjoy their lead for long. Beveridge saved from Leonard and Gallagher just missed by inches. Leonard and McGhee worked the ball up and the latter evened up the score. The teams crossed over at two each.
Bethlehem missed a chance to take the lead soon after crossing over on a penalty kick awarded against Martyn. Johnny Jaap took the kick, but the ball went straight to Renzulli, who kicked away. Purgavie, Jaap and Massie took turns at potting the Nationals' goal, but their shots went wide. At the other end Beveridge saved from Carlson and Leonard. With about twenty minutes to go the visitors sorely tried out the Bethlehem defense. For a time they kept Bethlehem well in their own half except for occasional breakaways. Carnihan, Gibson and Billy Allen were kept going to keep the determined National forwards from scoring. McGhee was always a danger to Bethlehem and time after time he dropped the ball into Bethlehem's goal mouth, but none of the other forwards could take advantage of these opportunities until finally Leonard met one close in and gave the visitors their third and winning goal. Johnny Jaap outguessed a couple Nationals and he finished with a shot that Renzulli was lucky to tip over the bar. The New Yorkers returned to the attack and Beveridge barely saved from Nelson at the expense of a corner. The Nationals forced three corners in succession but could not score from them. The Nationals kept up the pressure until the final whistle.
The lineup:
Bethlehem -- Nationals
Beveridge -- G -- Renzulli
Gibson -- RFB -- Warden
Allen -- LFB -- Donald
Reid -- RHB -- Wegnan
Carnihan -- CHB -- Chatton
Stark -- LHB -- Martyn
Dick -- OR - -Gallagher
Jaap -- IR -- Cameron
Gillespie -- CF -- N[...]
Massie -- IL -- Leonard
Purgavie -- OL -- McGhee
Referee, J. Walder. Goals: Gillespie 2, Warden, McGhee and Leonard. Time of halves, 45 minutes.