DEA Bedford Over 30

Weaken by unnecessary cards, some injuries, and a couple of no-shows, DEA was no match for a strong 20-player Seacoast squad.

DEA was missing 6 of its starters when they took the field on Sunday morning and it has showed by the end of the game. With only one sub, it was hard to keep the pace with fast and always fresh-legged Seacoast players. However, DEA never backs down and they gave it their best.  

First chance of the game came from DEA. After a great interception in the back, ball came to Ryan. He held for a while letting DEA move into counter attack mode. Ryan then sprung Elvis on the left who moved past his defender and broke clear into the box. As Willie was completely alone at the PK spot, Elvis slipped a pass to Will, but he, being a bit rusty (his first game back after missing the whole season), never connected.

Seacoast came back and had a few dangerous chances and one of them resulted in a goal. Ball was played across the box from the right side and first to get to it was Seacoast's Bruce who calmly finished.

DEA tried to respond with some nifty passing down the right flank. Ryan found Ahern, who nicely found Barry Fitzgerald open at the top of the box. Barry unleashed a rocket destined for the top corner, but European Flare was denied by former SNHU All-American keeper. Fitzgerald is still wondering how the keeper got to that ball.

DEA's Lucas was not going to be outdone and made some magnificent saves to keep Seacoast from scoring more.  Let's say that, at least, on 3-4 occasion he came out huge.

Once again, cards were given out like candy, but only to DEA squad. Seacoast players, on the other hand, were hugged by ref (after hard fouls) and talked to instead of being carded. Barry got a card just for being in the vicinity of the foul. However, it was remarkable that Ryan didn't get a card. He seemed to have an amazing ability to taunt the referee the whole game and walk away without a yellow or red.

DEA had a few more really good chances to score. Ryan had a decent look at the frame, but his shot sailed high. Ahern broke free, but his final touch failed him. Willie, once again, was set up nicely by Elvis. He tried to one-time a good thru-ball, without realizing how open he was, but misfired. 

Half ended 1-0, but DEA knew that these missed chances will come back to haunt them.

And that's exactly what happened in the 2nd half. Seacoast kept bring fresh players in trying to run down DEA whose bench was very short.

DEA still had some chances. Peter, Willie, Ahern, Elvis, Barry, and Ryan all had their opportunities, but failed to find the net. Usually, when that happens, the other team executes their chances. It didn't help that DEA was getting tired by the minute and Seacoast kept subbing. Barry was heard saying that every time he needed to do defensive running, he was chasing a different guy.

Compliments to DEA defensive group who worked really hard and stopped many attack. If it weren't for them and Lucas in net, it could have been a lot worse.

Nevertheless, Seacoast found the back of the net 2 more times, before DEA would respond. Ahern and Willie combined this time. After Ahern displayed some nice dribbling skills, he found Willie at the top of the box. Willie looked up, then chipped the ball over Seacoast defense onto running Peter, who turned his defender and unleashed a strong shot from a difficult angle. 3-1.

This little ray of hope was quickly shot down by Seacoast scoring 2 more goals on counter attack and sealed a victory. 5-1.

The reporter blames Jerold White for this loss, but please not that also missing were Junior, Jones, Tino, Scott, Jeff, and many others.

Better luck next game.