DEA Bedford Over 30

DEA toppled Pepperell, 5-2 and in so doing recorded their first win in Division 1 OTHSL. The win leaves DEA 1-1-1 on the year, having taken points from both of their road games so far. The sideline was stocked, meaning players had to work hard for the minutes. The deep bench paid off as DEA would eventually pull away with a flurry of second half goals. Jerold White got DEA started in the 22nd minute when he hammered a right-footed drive that whistled by Pepperell's keeper. Jerold found just a sliver of space after collecting Elvis Zukovic's pass before unloeading. Five minutes later, DEA made it two-nil when Barry Fitzgerald's toe-poke caught an upper air current and floated towards goal. Again, the Pepperell keeper batted at it, but came up empty for the gift. "That's what happens when the tennis coach is your goalie," came off the lips of one Pepperell player. As DEA looked to go into the half with a two-goal cushion, they let up in the final two minutes after allowing a corner. Though a smattering of white jerseys seemed to be in the area, a Pepperell player cleanly won the header and made it 2-1 heading into the half. The second half saw a missed clearance and an ensuing counter attack catch DEA off guard. Another cross found noggin, and it was level. A disapointing result to what was a pretty well played 55 minutes. The defensive trio of Chris Laerge, Tom Labonville, and Chris Florek had done a good job of keeping Pepperell Dean Reyad Mahmoud from any clear chances. Jerold and Elvis, teamed with Mike Friedin, Barry Fitzgerald and Rob Cissel, patrolled the midfield as well as both ends of the pitch. After Laberge broke free and stormed down the left side, he hammered a low drive that the found the keeper's hands and he punched away. "If we can't cover this guy, we shouldn't even be out here," the sweeper yelled in frustration. Laberge let his action do (most) of the talking, and responded in the final 15 with back-to-back goals five minutes apart. First, a throw-in down by the left corner had Labonville come up and throw toward Kurt Englehart, running to the short post. Kurt flicked on nicely, finding Laberge at the back post where he nodded home to bring DEA back in front. "How's your marking now?" The crowd was just settling down when Barry came flying down the right side with numbers along. He slipped a low cross that weaved through and found Laberge on the opposite side. Laberge one-timed another hard low drive, this one finding goal to give DEA a 4-2 lead. Peter Cline then took a pass from Jeff Bailey just outside and box and scorched a shot that just got tipped and slammed off the bar. In the waning moments, Lucas Hill's long punt was again flicked on by Kurt, where he found Ryan Carvalho in clean. He finished easily for his first to close out the scoring. The Third Half was a letdown, as Pepperell's finest chased us away. DEA is home for four of the next five matches, starting next week against Defending champs Ipswich in the annual Mother's Day Spectacular. Gametime is 8:30, gates open at 6:00.