DEA Bedford Over 30

Led by the midfield maestro, Peter Cline, DEA topped Peabody 4-2 on a picture-perfect morning at Sportsman's Field.  DEA, Hollis, and Seacoast are now in a 3-way tie for 2nd place with 3-2-1 records, six points behind table-leaders Ipswich.

 Cliney, playing in the center midfield, got DEA going at the 15-minute mark after taking a Willie Mungere pass and driving a shot home from 20 yards to give DEA a 1-0 lead.

DEA kept in pursuit of some insurance, with wave after wave of attempts at goal mostly started down the right flank which saw Barry Fitzgerald's pinpoint crosses to the box.  The last touch would go astray, with Ryan Carvalho's low shot the best of the numerous opportunities.

Peabody would level late in the half off a restart.  With keeper Lucas Hill screaming to get the defense to step up, they were slow to react.  The ensuing shot wormed through the crowd, where Lucas was caught between playing the pass -which it was- or the shot.  It didn't touch as soul and found the back of the net to level it at the half, 1-1.

Second half saw Willie, just back from a stint in the Witness Protection Program, causing problems with his energy.  It has been almost 18 months since Willie was playing this well, but it was a welcome return.  He would get the eventual game-winner when he rose to volley home another of Barry's crosses from 15 yards out close to the opening bell of the second half.

Cliney then set up Scott Gagnon with an acrobatic half-volley through ball in traffic that was pure artestry.  Gagnon finished off from close range to make it 3-1.

After Barry was taken down in the box after beating his man along the endline, Elvis took the PK and made no mistake by making it 4-1.

Peabody would pull one back to make it 4-2 late.  Lucas was then called upon to smother two drives to make sure it wouldn't get any closer.

DEA now has their toughest stretch of the season coming up.  They play away at Ipswich next week; then follow it up with back-to-back home games against Seacoast and Hollis.  If they continue to play as they did today, they will prove dangerous in the final month of the season.