News and Announcements
Cornie calls cause DEA to drop a 5-2 loss to Ipswich
On a wet and rainy morning DEA took the soaked and puddle laidend field against Ipswich. For the 1st 30 minutes both teams struggled to gain any type of flow. Ipswich using strong counter attacks tested the DEA defense but the work of FLO, Jones, and Jerold in the back kept the Ipswich offense at bay. DEA countered with possession in the midfield and flank balls to Chris and Scott, to try and breakdown the strong and well balanced Ipswich defense. Both teams however were still stalemated!
However this was not a game to be decided by the players on the field, a couple of Cornie calls started to occur late in the 1st half, when Ryan “the giver” Carvalho was told by the official that if he holds on to the ball too long, he deserves to get kicked! This in sighted and infuriated the DEA team with great vengeance and furious anger, especially Jerold “the pacifist” White. Not soon after Ipswich on one of their counters got into the DEA box and they looked to send the ball across the end line. The serve, however, inadvertently struck the arm of a DEA defender. The official immediately blew the whistle and signaled for a PK.
Then the circus started, cost of admission free of charge as long as you were not African and had dread locks, otherwise no need for a green card or passport for entre, just come up and get your yellow card. In the span of 5 minutes Junior (AKA African Tackle) and “The Pacifist” received a total of three yellow cards for stating their opinion and in “The Pacifist” case holding his hands up and dancing in a circle like a jackass. What was looking like a good half went for not as Ipswich bared the PK into the lower left hand corner of the net and DEA went down to 10 men. For the last 10 minutes DEA continued to battle Ipswich, DEA got a couple of chances in the box, created by the passing of Ryan and Barry on the wing and the dribbling of Elvis. However the Cornie calls kept continuing. Ryan “the giver” Carvalho and an Ipswich play both got yellows for interactions that were less than pleasant. Soon after the same Ipswich player got sent off for voicing his displeasure at the Cornie official. He however was off the field, so Ipswich still was at full strength.
DEA tried to re-group at half time and played even with Ipswich for the 1st 15 minutes of the 2nd half even though down one man DEA held most of the possession and although they gave up a couple of counters Chris “AKA Powder” came up with some terrific stops to keep the game 1-0. Unfortantly someone gave a “MUPPET” a whistle, although a very tough challenge on the Ipswich player just outside the DEA box by Junior, the official handed out a 2nd yellow card to Junior. Now down two men the DEA defense could not hold back the Ipswich counter attack putting two goals in the next 15 minutes one off of a cross which was headed into the bottom corner and the 2nd off of an odd man rush which the Ipswich player slotted it past the GK.
DEA however found some life when Ipswich miss played a ball out of the back and Scott Gagnon was able to pass the ball into the back of the net just outside the 18. DEA than scored shortly after that when Chris beat the Ipswich defense and went on a breakaway. Chris fighting off one of the Ipswich defenders was taken down in the box from behind. The official quickly sent the Ipswich player off with a straight red and awarded DEA a PK, which Elvis placed into the corner of the net making it 3-2.
The comeback however was not to be. Still down a man and tired after exerting all their energy earlier in the game defending against the Ipswich counter attack. Ipswich sealed their victory with 2 more goals in the last 5 minutes. Unfortantely 5-2 lose was not the worst thing for DEA, now two games in they have 5 card points, and more importantly lose both Junior and Jerold for their next game which is against Seacoast.
DEA Open 2008 Fall Season with a Big Win - European Flare Brings "Irish Luck"
After hurricane stormed New England on Saturday, DEA showed up in Peabody at the soft, but surprisingly not flooded field. Full squad, with Laberge back in the lineup and some other new faces, was ready to go. And they showed their intentions as soon as the game started. The team physician ruled out Barry Fitzgerald, as the game-time decision, as Barry for no obvious reason threw up three times on the way to the game and about 3-4 times at the field. It looked like European Flare was going to provide his cheerleading services instead of crosses as he changed into street clothes. DEA attacked immediately from both flanks sending some dangerous crosses into the box. Jerold and Ryan controlled the midfield and Tino, Flo, and Jones provided support from the back. After a few chances, Jeff sent a curling pass to the far post where Laberge was lurking in the shadows. Chris rose up over three Peabody defenders and placed the ball into the net. And he is baaack! 1-0 DEA. It looked as if this was going to be an easy game, but DEA had to make it more of a challenge as they usually do. Giving away easy passes and allowing Peabody to counter attack, DEA let in a garbage goal. 1-1. Game on. DEA knew that now they had to push harder. After a great combination, down the right side, coming from the back, Ryan Carvalho faked a cross and slipped a perfect pass into the box for Elvis. He danced, jumped over one of the sliding defenders and unleashed a shot into the top right corner. 2-1. Then again instead of putting the game away, DEA allowed speedy Peabody team to counter. After a huge miscommunication defensively, DEA let another goal in from a left side cross. This one was kind of nice as DEA defense looked like Stonehenge monument. Great volley gave Lucas no chance. 2-2. Elvis had a chance to put DEA back into lead, after Peter provided an excellent pass, but Bosnian couldn’t convert this time, opting for a shot instead of service to wide-open Laberge, sending the ball for a throw from 8 yards out. Then DEA let another garbage goal in and just like that they were down 3-2 and that’s how the first time ended. Half-time break provided some heated team discussions as DEA was not going to go down that easily. Barry had enough of sitting on the sidelines, decided to ignore team physician, put his jersey back on, and snuck on the pitch. That proved to be crucial as he provided DEA with much needed “flare”. DEA took control of the game and Barry’s first touch found the head of Dan Martin. Danny floated in the air, reminiscent of Air Jordan, and released a powerful header. Peabody defense stood still as the ball struck the back of the net. 3-3. Now, DEA was in the driver's seat. Some excellent ball movement allowed DEA to create a few great chances, but the finishing lacked. Ryan, switching between midfield and forward positions, created a few opportunities, while Laberge and Scott Gagnon combined several times, but couldn’t convert. Then “Irish Luck” struck again. After some physical work (translation = tracking down midfielders and defenders) which some claim doesn’t happen very often for him, Elvis forced a corner and Fitzgerald stepped to the ball. It looked like the replay of the last goal. Great cross, Japanese citizens (read: Peabody defense) scream as Godzilla (read: Danny Martin) approaches, and the ball almost tears the net. 4-3. Now DEA defense tightens up. Flo, Jerold, Jones, Danny, and Tino (who actually, along, with Flo, doubled up as a winger a few times) took a complete control of the game stopping everything that Peabody attack had to offer. Peabody was pushing up and sent some long balls up front from the back. One of these clearances by the Peabody keeper found the foot of Elvis Zukovic right at the midfield line. Keeper was out and with the strong wind in his back, Elvis decided to try his luck. He one-timed the lob shot, but didn’t hit it properly. However, wind took control of the ball that bounced in the front of the Peabody keeper (Flo was heard in the background yelling: “That could be trouble!”) and over his head into the net. 5-3. DEA saw this as a chance to completely break down Peabody and they kept attacking. Laberge and Gagnon combined again and this time they were effective. Laberege slipped a great pass to wide-open Gagnon who calmly finished. 6-3. At this point Peabody pushed all of their players up and crowded the DEA box. One of the hard tackles by DEA defense was misinterpreted by the ref (who was surprisingly good up to that point) and he called a PK. Lucas tried his best, but one of the Peabody forwards (we think it was one who Barry described as Count Dracula) converted from the spot. 6-4. Now Peabody became physical. Actually, it was more cheap and dirty, but DEA was not going to take any of that. Jerold was heard talking some trash to Peabody attackers, Elvis clipped one of their midfielders, but the spotlight was on Ryan. Speaking Portuguese he taunted Peabody players. Knowing his cynical comments in English, we could only imaging how colorful he got in Portuguese. Peabody tried to retaliate physically, but Leaping Salmon held his own shoving a couple of them to the ground. Tragic thing happened at the end of the game. With only a few minutes left, trying to calm Ryan down, Laberge and Peter came in for Ryan and Elvis. Going after the ball Laberge stepped wrong and reinjured his knee. We are hoping he will be back soon as his presence upfront was integral to DEA victory, but it seems he may be down for the season. Great start DEA!
DEA Levels with Table Leaders Ipswich
In maybe their finest outing of the year, DEA took it to current table-leaders Ipswich all game today at Sportsman's Field. Unfortunately, DEA had to settle for one-point as the results didn't do their effort justice.
After opening the season with a thrilling 3-2 victory against Hollis, DEA stumbled on the road as they went winless in their next four matches and dissention viraled through the ranks. Winning is a good tonic for all ills, and last weeks 2-1 win (again against Hollis) restored the confidence DEA had been lacking.
DEA had only beat Ipswich once prior, so an all-out effort was needed to ensure DEA could take points in back-to-back games for the first time all year. That was just the effort they provided as they thrilled their rambunctious crowd with their quality.
The huge DEA pitch allowed for free-flowing action all game. The best early chance saw a Peter Cline back-heel drop right to Ryan Carvalho, just outside the area. Ryan scorched a one-time drive, which forced the Ipswich keeper hard to his left to smother the low drive.
With 15-minutes left, DEA Keeper Chris Harrington pulled a "Bruce Vitt" and got caught between aggressively corralling a long clearance and waiting for the easy bounce. Instead, it took a cruel hop and went right over his head. Ugh...DEA had played too well to be down due to misfortune.
Not to be undaunted, they kept after it offensively. Their efforts were rewarded when they were given a free-kick, 19 yards from goal. Immediately, Elvis Zukovic went to the spot and surveyed the personnel. He then placed a beautiful shot, bending around the wall and settling just inside the far post for the last touch of the half.
Second half action saw me getting more and more involved in the cooler...and less involved in the on-field play, so you are going to have to realize the only play I really remember was Barry Fitzgerald crossing into the box were the Leaping Salmon, Carvalho, spawned nicely but headed just wide of the post.
As a special note, this game reporter would like to thank Ipswich's #8, Ged White (I believe it was him) for a class move. As I carried my daughter on my shoulder, a long clearance was headed straight for us. I had time to debate where to: settle with my chest, and drive it back into the action; take a step back and volley it back; or take the moment to teach my daughter how to head the ball clear. Neither were particularly inviting at that particular moment. Instead, Ged stepped in front for me and made the decision easier. Ipswich does bring a level of classiness to the pitch that can only be matched by DEA.
So, while DEA deserved the full three points, they will be content with a mini two-game unbeaten streak and knowing, at least on this day, they were the better team against the table leaders.
DEA is also glad to know they finish out the rest of the season at home, where they have not lost yet on the season.
DEA Edges Hollis 2-1 at the Bud Plant
By Chris Fitzgerald; foreign correspondent
Since no one is paying attention on your team, you guys played a good first half, we played a good 2nd half. Junior scorched a one touch ball from the 18 that went through our keeper. Probably the best I've seen in some time. Kirk scored the second goal in the second half. Steve Mirasolo scored for us. Brendan actually scored for us, hit the crossbar, bounced down over the line and spun out. Jerold confirmed after the game it was in, but Corny missed it. He gave out yellow cards like it was candy. Elvis and Brendan had a colorful verbal exchange, with Brendan referring to Elvis as a woman's body part after Elvis second flagrant takedown. It led to Elvis yellow card after Elvis kept talking. We had ample chances to score with Rey and John Lopez pressing, but your defense led by Dan "no Church this Sunday" Martin held. Game should have been a 2-2 tie, but what can you do.... hey, this could be your first article written by a foreign correspondent.....
Seasons
Sponsors
