DEA Bedford Masters 2

A solid victory under tremendous wind conditions for the DEA team. 30 plus MPH winds blew across the field, most shots would end up 10 yards off the mark. DEA needed to play very controlled and on the ground, and was able to do so for the most part. DEA management had earlier applied pressure on the team to win this one, not being happy with the teams tie last time these two played. It took time to figure out the conditions but Bedford clearly produced better opportunities, with a few good misses early on. About mid-way through the first half DEA struck first with Jim McCall breaking down the left side then cutting the ball past the goalie to Stan Wisniewski who knocked it home. It must be noted that there were no off side infractions for the star forward this game, he was clearly focused on the task at hand. Lexington tied it up early on in the second half as the ball bounced around the front of the goal, DEA was unable to clear with the extreme wind conditions and Lexington poked one in. This was the first goal scored on the DEA keeper, Jim Goddard, other than PK's. Now that the pressure of the 'streak' was off, Goddard started locking on to some tremendous goal kicks, at one point kicking it 75 - 80 yards down field, bouncing to the opposing goalie. At the 80 minute mark, the game was still tied. DEA kept locking the ball into Lexington's end, but just couldn't put it away. Finally John Morin made a great head pass (clearly one of his more exposed parts) to Jim McCall who then side steps a defender to strike a left footed shot into the corner leaving the goalie to wonder what just happened. Bedford then kept up the pressure not allowing their opponents to get out of their end until the game clock ran out. A good win for the team under such extreme conditions. Highlights: No off sides to speak about this game. Three early yellow cards, this spurred on by a very aggressive Lexington team. Wind, wind, wind, wind, wind, wind. Several muscle strains from the aging DEA team. Numbers may be more important then we know. A good variety of combinational passes during the game. Defense was strong all game. DEA is back at home for a rare Sunday and Monday game. The Sunday game will be a clash of the titans as the two top seeded teams in the division go at it, DEA vs Lynnfield. Please note that the game is at 10:00 AM at Sportsmans. The DEA O-30 team will play after this game. Then on Monday night, in an ESPN-2 televised game, DEA will take on Weston at 8:00 PM at Sportsmans. This is a makeup from a rainout on the 9th. This should be a great prime time show. Tickets are still available at the DEA Ticket Office.

DEA Bedford remains undefeated and on top of the division with their latest victory over the Good Guys of Melrose this past Sunday. DEA posted a decisive 5-1 road win as they have their sites on the championship. Bedford has only been scored upon 4 times in 4 games. More importantly, 3 of the 4 goals were on PK's. Goal Keeping and Defense has been excellent for the DEA squad.
On a very cramped field, Bedford went with a 4-3-3 line up to find any available space. This field was smaller than Raco-Theodore Field, the famed field where some of the older West High Alumni called home. DEA 1st goal came from Jim Kellogg in the sweeper-forward position - hitting a long cross that went over the goalies head. Melrose then tied it up with a PK after one of our fearless defenders gently knocked someone over in the box. This is the 3rd PK called against DEA in as many games. If it weren't for the PK's, Jim Goddard would have 3 shutouts in a row. Things got chippy early on in this match and the referee was trigger happy with the cards. John Valickus got an early yellow followed by Nick Masci. David Poole would just escape a yellow before DEA realized that this ref was CRAZY.

DEA would score their second goal as Jim McCall would find John Guild on a nice pass back.  Johnnie would one time it into the back of the net to put Bedford up for good.  Both Jim McCall and John Guild would finish the day with a goal and an assist for DEA.

Bedford's next goal came again from the famous Guild brothers connection, John to Jeff putting it away. This is two consecutive games with this goal scoring connection that proves to be a power house for the DEA offense. The first half would end with the score 3-1 for DEA.

The second half was all DEA. The 4th goal would come as George Wegricht would send a great feed to Jim McCall. Jim would head in on a breakaway, beating the goalie to the low right corner. George would ring up his second assist on the final goal as he would hit another cross into the box. This time finding Stan Wisniewski using his mid section to walk the ball into the goal. Some thought it was a below the waist shot. Stan did see stars after that. The final whistle would blow and DEA would remain undefeated. Final score - 5-1 Win for DEA.

Highlights of the Match:

Stan down to only 2 off sides.
 
Only 18 players showed up for DEA.

Jim Goddard still not scored upon other than PK's.

John V with the quick yellow card - Nick Masci with a yellow - Dave Poole just missed getting one, and Dan pulling himself from the field in order to avoid getting carded (did not like the call against him). Good thing Paul Cote did not show up as he would not have lasted long in this game with the Ref's quick card approach.

Talk of goalie bonuses due to the low goal per game percentage. Rumors of Sean providing low priced and low quality beer after the game. Is this to cover the goalie bonuses?

Ray L. showing great field goal kicking, he was one with the trees.

George and Rick P properly showing how to miss a wide open goal after a great cross.....

DEA Bedford heads home for a two games now. This Sunday they take on the Westford Grey Goats at 10:30 AM at Sportsmans Field. This should be a good match as Westford is coming off a tie with the other division leader Lynnfield Raiders.

GO DEA....

Sean buy some good beer....

DEA Keeper, Jim Goddard's response to an article that mentioned how he was verbally abusing( shouting positive reinforcement) to the DEA players on the field in front of him.

DEA Bedford's Army of 21 troops showed up to take on Northshore's Platoon of 28 in what is now being termed the Battle of Amesbury. DEA's General Dubois even made the trip to watch the first part of the battle. Everyone was there except the referee. So DEA pulled out one of those too. Dan Roberge suited up in his yellow to start the game off. The league ref would finally show up 1/2 hour late and take over for Dan. DEA started the game out a bit slow as they would try and get a handle on the quick turf field. Play would go back and fourth with no one getting a good look at the goal. Bedford got on the board late in the first half with some good ball movement in the Northshore end. The result was that Nick Masci would get tripped in the penalty area. Nick would take the PK and put it away for the 1-0 advantage. Northshore United would return the favor shortly after on a very questionable hand ball call in the DEA Box. They completed the penalty to tie the game at 1 a piece. After studying the enemies position and looking over terrain, Major Kelly and Captain McCall made some strategic moves for the DEA offensive. The second half started with lots of pressure by DEA. After several missed opportunities, a ball bouncing off several defenders was netted by Doug Wolfe, getting him his first of the season with many more to be expected. DEA was now up 2-1 and could feel the victory. DEA started to apply constant pressure. First Lieutenant, Jim Goddard, would hand out lots of verbal abuse, I mean encouragement and support, that would push DEA onward. Bedford found its 3rd goal coming from a great threaded ball from John Guild that found his brother Jeff running on to a perfectly one timed shot. The shot would beat the keeper to the far corner. Shortly after the white flag would be raised over the Northshore camp and the prisoners were rounded up. DEA had a strong defensive effort from Sean, Mitch, Ray and the rest of the defense to keep the ball out of our half the better part of the game. Now that the Battle of Amesbury has been won, Bedford has it sites on Melrose. This camp is occupied by "Good Guys" and is located in a Urban setting. DEA command will need to go over all options to come up with the best military formations and tactics to defeat this enemy before returning home. DEA has been very impressive with the the great numbers they continue to provide that over powers the enemy. Other Highlights: Stan only being off-sides 4 times this game. Bill Jean's good passing efforts - to bad the rest of us took so long to get control of the ball on that field. DEA heads to Melrose next to take on the Melrose Good Guys at Knoll Field at 9:00 AM. Give yourself some time to find this field as it is tricky to locate. The over 30 team started with 8 here as no one could find the field. GREAT WIN DEA !!!