DEA Bedford Masters 2

DEA shook off a slow start to pull away from Peabody SC in a 4-1 win today at the elusive Connelly Park Field in Peabody.  After opening the season with a 2-1 loss to Irish Village, DEA has run off four straight victories while tallying 14 goals and giving up just four.

After everyone rode the merry-go-round trying to find the parking for the field, DEA was ready to go with nine players as three more were still circling for a parking spot.  You could see the field...you just couldn't get to it.

Before the match got under way, however, DEA had a more-important task at hand.  DEA called for a moment of silence before the start, as news was beginning to filter in that Jeff Guild's son, Evan, had passed away the day before.  A truly tragic event, many DEA players were visibly shaken by the news and wanted to recognize the Guild family in some way.  The entire DEA organization wishes the entire Guild family well in this time of need.

Playing down a couple of players, DEA decided to box it in while the reinforcements made their way.  They held Peabody to only one shot at goal before they got to full force.  Unfortunately, moments after getting everyone on board the Peabody striker got one of his only clean looks at goal and fired from just outside the area.  Sweeper Rob Easton had channeled him to the right side smartly, but the shot took a deflection and just change of direction gave keeper Doug Henion no chance.  For just the second time all season, and the first time in the first half of any game, DEA was behind.

After about five more minutes of getting their feet under them, DEA became accustomed to the small field and started attacking at goal.  The forward combo of Jim Walker and Steve Bicknell were dangerous inside the area.  DEA thought they had sprung  Walker free off Dale Dubois' long pass, but the ref -not accustomed to seeing the pace of a player like Walker- assumed he was offside based on the separation he had created.  The whistle blew and DEA could only rant on the injustice.

Walker thewas then sprung free, this time off Easton's great through ball.  After dribbling the keeper, he woefully touched wide from close range and DEA remained snakebit.  That would only last for a few more minutes, however.

Mike Robichaud, who had another quality game, this time from the left midfield position, latched onto Jim McCall's lofted pass.  After the keeper was caught out in no-man's-land, Robichaud only had to dribble freely into the vacated goal to level it for DEA.

As the first half matured, it became all DEA.  The pace of their outside players were giving Peabody fits.  They began each foray with a touch in the middle, pushed outside, and a dangerous cross into the box.  Halftime came with the score 1-1, but DEA feeling confident they had played into the wind, short numbers, and were level.  Second half started with a bang and never let up.

Not five minutes into the second half, DEA broke the spirit of division-dwellers Peabody with a clinical finish.  DEA strung together five straight passes before Walker volleyed home McCall's cross and DEA had a lead they would never relinquish.  Peabody's defenders had their heads on a swivel as DEA picked them apart in impressive fashion.

Not to be outdone, Jim Eilenberger, making his debut wearing the DEA colors, then stormed down the right side and received a long goal-kick by Henion.  'Berg beat his man and cut inside.  With defenders laying off and looking at a cross, 'Berg pulled out a toe-poke from his deadly arsenal and snuck it by short side to give DEA some insurance.

DEA now was looking to run up some away goals, as Peabody was looking for some shade and began to argue amongst themselves.  The defensive quartest of Woody Harper, Dubois, Easton, and Joe Masci were outstanding all day.  After the initial warming up period, they locked down everything in the box and gave Henion his easiest effort of the season.

DEA would get one more late.  When Bicknell fed McCall about 20 yards from goal, he made a run (or, in Bic's case, a walk, but you get the point) to the right side and drew two defenders attention.  McCall then dribbled through another and lashed a drive to the far side to close out the scoring at 4-1.

DEA absolutely dominated the third half.  With some quality pickups in the offseason, DEA's third half team just might be the best in the business.  With Giselle McCall's cookies on hand, the combo of Woody, Bic, Dale, 'Berg, Chris Cloutier, and Rick Plichta sunned themselves for a few hours and enjoyed their status as division leaders.

In a suprising result, Irish Village was levelled by Westford, 1-1.  Since starting the season at 2-0, the Irish have only taken two points in their last three games.  The other interesting tidbit was Groton topping NS Internationals, 3-1.  These favorable results give DEA a four-point advantage heading into next weekends rematch at the Irish.  DEA is in danger of losing points due to yellow-card accumulation, so three-points next weekend give DEA a much-needed 7-point advantage.  After that, DEA finish with 3 of 4 matches at  home, and are already holding a huge advantage in goal differential and 'away-goals'. 

The surest way to ensure promotion?  Keep winning.