DEA Bedford Masters 2

As everyone predicted, the showdown of the top 4 teams in division 7 would be battle. It is clear from their regular season records that the top two teams in both the North and South of Division 7 should be moved up and out of this division. The dinosaurs that run the league, however, are allergic to any type of change. DEA Bedford, who topped the north with a 9-0-1 record and a +29 goal differential would take on the 2nd place finisher of the south. The Canary Square Veterans came to play this morning after their long ride from Jamaica Plains. The Canary Square Squad had an impressive 7-2-1 record with a +24 goal differential of their own. This was sure to be a match. Bedford would be missing their regular keeper for this match, but Jim Kellogg stepped up as he has done in the past and stood between the pipes. Canary Square would have 12 to start and would eventually get up to 15 players. After watching a juggling display in front of the Bedford bench, by what turned out to be a Canary fan... the game was under way. Bedford came out strong and controlled the tempo of the game early on. The Canary Square team seemed to be a little lost on the large pitch and tried to force the play inside. Bedford refused to give into this type of play and continued to keep the ball outside and use the full width of Sportsmans Field. Bedford would get a few chances early on in the match but shots would go wide. The strategy was to lure the speedy Canary sweeper, one of the two Zanini brothers, out of the middle to the outsides. This would work well for Bedford, who would continue to control the tempo of the half but there was no score. Jim Kellogg would make a couple of saves to keep things level. Things got a little chippy with the Canary striker, Louis Diaz, as he tried to run Kellogg but Jim remained calm. About 35 minutes into the first half, Bedford would drive the ball down the right side to the corner that would be knocked over the touch line for a corner kick. John Morin would line up to take the corner kick. John would hit a long cross that was toward the outside of the eighteen to the head of John Valickus, at center mid. Johnnie V would send a nice header in to Nick Masci who in turn would head it passed the keeper to put Bedford on the board. Bedford would continue to press for the all important insurance tally but could not find the net. In the mean time, Mitch Green and Ray Luscinski controlled the DEA backfield. The half would end with DEA up 1-0. The Canary Crew would come out stronger in the second half of play. Bedford lade off and allowed them to control the ball for a 15 minute stretch of time. Jim Kellogg would come up with some key saves to keep DEA up by one. Kellogg would also launch some very impressive 60 plus yard punts to put Bedford on the counter. It would be Canary, however, who would counter on a nice through ball. The Canary Striker would hit a right footed outside bender that would just find the right side of the net. A great strike that would level the match and temporarily swing the momentum to Canary. Bedford would really push to find the winning goal towards the end. Stan W. and Johnnie V. both had good shots go wide right and George would head a ball off the upper cross bar that was denied. Regular time would end in a tie 1-1. On to sudden death overtime. DEA's GM was on hand and gave some words of wisdom... and contract threats... to the team... and drew out a plan in the sand. From the opening kickoff the plan worked .. The ball was knocked out to Jeff Guild on the left. Jeff would bring it down the side and launch a cross to George W. in the middle. George could not get position on it and had to head it back to John Valickus and his shot would go wide. On to plan "B". Bedford was really pressing to get the winner but was left open for a counter attack. Canary would counter and Mitch would have a foot race. The Canary striker would hit a hard left footed drive just wide of the goal.... Now DEA would build an attack. This time it was it was worked up though the back to Jeff Guild. Jeff would find Nick Masci in the middle. Nick would beat a defender and have a clean look at the goal.. Nick would hammer a screaming shot off the keeper. The ball would rebound out towards the right of the goal. George Wegricht would see the opportunity and slam an outside of the foot shot into the right side of the net for the winner. A GREAT win for DEA. A very well played game all around on both sides. It was a pleasure to play such a talented team. There is no reason that this team should remain in Division 7. But this is a fight for another day... DEA Bedford now goes to the finals. The Finals will be held in Lexington, MA this year on the turf fields. They will be on Saturday or Sunday... For some reason it is a big secret which day we all will play..... Hopefully we will know before the game... More to follow.. GREAT WIN DEA..... The GM is pleased......