DEA Bedford Masters 2

DEA showed up with just enough players to beat Northshore United 4-2 in the pouring rain last Sunday. In one of the few games that was played around the league due to the weather, DEA showed that it is an all climate team. Sporting their new long sleeved uniforms, DEA dominated the first 15 minutes of play but could not find the net. Bedford started out heading into a strong wind that continued throughout the game. Northshore would score first on a long lofting shot that would go over the reach of Eric Burger, who took net duty for DEA. DEA continued to dominate even down 1-0 and would be awarded a PK for a trip in the box. Jim McCall's shot would be blocked and Bedford was still down one. DEA would keep the pressure on however, and with 30 seconds left in the first half, George Wegricht would head a ball across the goal mouth. Bruce Walsh would collect the header and ding a shot of the post. Northshore would attempt to clear the ball but hit it into their own net. Bruce would be credited with the goal. DEA was happy to switch ends to be going with the wind. This would prove to be a big difference as Bedford would bring the play to Northshore early. Stan Wisniewski would miss high on two hard shots and Jim Pellerin would miss wide on another. The next shot was handled by a Northshore defender and DEA would be awarded another PK. George W would finish the PK beating the keeper to the right. DEA was now up 2-1 and looking for more. DEA would take the ball wide out of the back. Pat Walsh would feed Jim McCall at midfield. Jim would beat a defender and give a great pass to George in front. George would net his second of the day and put Bedford up 3-1 with about 15 minutes to go. DEA would give one up on a miss punt from the keeper that would find its way to a Northshore striker. It was a one goal game again, but not for long. With about 8 minutes to play, Jim McCall would again beat two defenders and bring the ball down into the left corner. Jim would hit a cross directly to Stan's foot in front. Stan would finish off the scoring for DEA and the win 4-2. DEA played very well all around. Mitch Green had another outstanding game at sweeper. Mitch shutting down any attempt by Northshore to equalize. Jim McCall controlled the midfield for DEA. His speed and ball control would force Northshore on the defensive mode. George and Stan would cause all kinds of havoc as usual up top. A very good showing all around for Bedford. Next Sunday DEA takes on the Lynnfield Raiders in Lynnfield at 8:30AM. Lynnfield is currently sitting one spot below DEA in the standings so this game will prove to be an important one.

The DEA Bedford Masters played the second game of the Bedford home opener, following their over 30 counterparts, Bedford Pacers. The Masters started out well controlling 80% of the play but failed to score in the first ten minutes of play. A quick counter from Nashoba would result in the first goal. This was a crushing blow as Bedford had been dominating the match. George W. and Tony Alvanos, who played well up top, would have their chances in the following 10 minutes but could not register a point. Jim McCall was back from vacation and made a hugh difference in the midfield for Bedford. Bedford would threaten again and again but would get caught by surprise as Nashoba would sneak another passed Morrison, Bedford's keeper. Half time would show DEA down 2-0. Bedford would make some changes for the second half and would go right after Nashoba. Again controlling 80% of the play. Mitch Green, Mark Major and David Poole would really tighten things up on the defense and only allow a couple shots to trickle in on DEA's new keeper Eric Burger. DEA was really pressuring and drew a foul about 25 yard out. Dale Dubois, who checked in following his over thirty match, would take the restart. Dubois would loft a high shot over the Nashoba keeper and put DEA on the board. With a hugh momentum switch Bedford would keep up the pressure, even shutting down the Nashoba throw in specialist, Buno(or something like that). This time, a take down in the Nashoba area would result in a DEA PK. Jim McCall, Bedford's PK expert, would go to the stripe. Jim would blast one to the left side of the keeper for the equalizer. Bedford would pressure for the win and had many chances. Stan Wisniewski would miss high on two good oportunities. George, Tony, Rick Plichta and McCall would each miss wide in a great offensive push. DEA could not net the winner and the final whistle would blow. A much better showing for DEA. Next Sunday at 9:00AM, DEA Masters takes on the talented Northshore United Soccer Club at Amesbury Sports Park in Amesbury, MA. Lets have a good turn out for this game also and come home with a win.

With a slightly less than brilliant performance, DEA Masters dropped their opening match against the Lexington Eagles 4-2 on Sunday in Lexington. DEA's match was only one of two that were held in the division due to field conditions. Lexington plays on a beautiful turf field which took a little getting used to for DEA. DEA would draw first blood about the midway point of the first half as George Wegwricht would bring the ball to the right touch line after beating one defender. George would turn the ball on the goal line and place a nice pass on the foot of Dave Crespo. Crespo slammed home the first goal of the 2005 campaign. Unfortunately, it was short lived as Lexington would get a turnover and a fast transition would send their striker in alone on John Morrison, DEA's Keeper. John would get a piece of the ball but not enough and the score was tied going into halftime. The second half saw a bewildered referee make a long series of horrendous calls against both sides. However, two against DEA probably cost the game. First, George had an exact repeat of his first assists. This time to Tony Alvanos who slammed home the goal. However, the referee called the goal back as he claimed that the ball crossed the goal line prior to Georges pass. An easy call from 45 yards away!!!This drew alot of angry response from DEA and resulted in a yellow card being issued. DEA fell apart a bit after this as they would wander away from the passing game. Defensive blunders would allow Lexington to score two quick goals and DEA was now down 3-1. The ref would strike again against DEA. This time it was David Crespo who was hauled down inside the Lexington area as he attempted to turn a ball to shoot. DEA felt that they would be back in the match with the PK only to find the ref pointing in the other direction. Did he realize that we switched sides?? It was truly a joke, for lack of a better word. Lexington would then score another on a breakaway that would put them up 4-1. Lexington brought a boat load of subs and would sub 6 or 8 players at every stoppage of play, which was not to classy. The ref would award DEA a PK for a handball in the Eagles area late in the match. Tony Alvanos would collect the freebee to bring the final score to 4-2. Next game should be much better as more of the core of DEA will be present. DEA takes on the new team, Nashoba, in the home opener at Legacy field at 10:30. The Bedford Pacers(Over 30 Div 2N) will play before DEA at Legacy.

The DEA Bedford Masters will open the Spring 2005 season April 10th at 10:15 AM on the road against the Lexington Eagles at Lincoln Field in Lexington, MA. DEA has a bunch of new talent and has the promise of better commitment from the returning players. DEA should have a good chance at capturing the division crown and moving up in the fall. DEA will wear the same White and blue DEA shirts as last year. Please show up 30 minutes before the kickoff. Maps and directions are on this site under 'locations'. Print out the emails for a list of team members cell phones in case you get lost. Hopefully all are in shape and ready to go. Don't forget to bring your ID to check in.

The DEA Bedford Masters ended there season on a sour note with a 2-1 loss to the Lexington Eagles. DEA was short numbers once again for this away game. All in all, a good first season for the 0-40 DEA team. In the off season we will concentrate on finding more committed players. DEA should have a very strong team in the Spring. Stay in shape and see you in April....