DEA Bedford Over 30

Chris Laberge had a wide range of emotions, netting two goals, creating a third, and possibly being lost for the season with a knee injury in DEA's Opening Day Festival win against rival Hollis.

With numbers problems last year, and a turnover of several players, DEA spent freely in the transfer market this winter with an eye on a complete roster overhaul.  Based on the results of today's match, it appears it was money spent wisely.

Despite all the new names on the back of the jerseys, there were several old reliables on the pitch and it was those familiar faces who led the way in front of the drunken crowd.

Hollis came in with a few new players as well, so it was sure to be a battle on this chilly morning at Sportsman's Field.  It was DEA, however, who would take an early lead.

When Jerold White stepped in front of Reyad Mohamoud's pass, he slipped Barry Fitzgerald down the right flank.  Barry put on his after burners to create some space, and fed Laberge through beautifully down the middle.  Laberge, the old cog on the team and still fighting to keep his first choice striker's position, showed the young guns how to finish by calmly slotting home from 12 yards to make it 1-0.

Five minutes later, Ryan Carvalho, looking the part of a Neuremburg prison guard, found himself with an open area and a clean look at goal.  As a defender closed, Ryan couldn't decide if he should pass, chip the keeper, or hammer a hard shot.  He did neither, woefully shooting well wide.

Back in DEA's end, Lucas Hill was a welcome return after missing last season to a back injury.  The poor haircut aside, he was his typical solid self in the goal.  He calmly punched over a long drive from Winston in his only real tester of the first half-hour.

Hollis would level late when Winston was left alone at the back post and scorched from close range to make it 1-1 at the half.

On a positive note, Junior didn't maime anybody in his season debut.

Second half saw Hollis imparting their will for long stretches.  The game reporter must admit that he spent much of the second half trying to warm up by continually swilling beers, so the details are a bit sketchy.  However, the action was in DEA's end for a long time so I guess it sounds accurate.

Hollis would take the lead in the 70th minute, and again it was Winston.  He slammed home to Lucas' short side, again from close range, and it looked like the O-30's were going to follow the O-40's with a 2-1 L.

Instead, Laberge, who was only coming back on if needed, did just that.  After working a one-two with Elvis, Laberge fired from just inside the area.  His shot was saved, but as Hollis cleared it found a fellow defender's arm and the ref called a PK.  A tough call that could've gone either way, the now overly-imbibed crowd could only assume it was a makeup call from the earlier match.

Jerold stepped up to take the PK, and calmly pushed home leveller as he forced the goalie the wrong way.

DEA now pushed for the go-ahead goal in the waning minutes.  Much of the action was coming off the right side, via Barry's continually spot-on crosses.  One found Laberge inside the area, but he pulled his header just wide.  The crowd took notice, as a comment was made "He's impossible to mark.  He's just took f-en big up there."

Two minutes later, it proved to be prophetic as Laberge was left open on a missed offsides trap.  He seemed suprised he was on, and pushed past the keeper before touching home from close range to give DEA the lead.

With his work done, Laberge was calling for a sub.  Unfortunately, in what could be a very costly injury, before he could vacate the pitch his right boot found a "field blemish" i.e. a hole, and his knee paid the price.  The sound was clearly audible from the sidelines, and immediately a call for the stretcher was placed.  At presstime, all that is known is that surgery is on the horizon in what looks to be a tendon injury to the right knee.  DEA Management wished Laberge well in his recovery as they still hope for some good news.

The final whistle wasn't much longer, as DEA took home the "W" against an improved Hollis team.

 Kudos to Lucas' mom, he spent her 61st birthday on the sidelines.  That's just quality.