DEA Bedford Over 30

DEA recorded their first win against a top tier team with a 3-2 victory against last year's winners, Ipswich in the annual Mother's Day Spectacular. The 8:30 start meant an early wake up call for Ipswich, but the classy squad made the trek with plenty of numbers available. They travel as well as they do at home. The match started out chippy, with Elvis Zukovic giving a whack before an Ipswich player slid in needlessly and sending Barry Fitzgerald to the pitch. Not two minutes into it, and Cornelius the Ref was already showing yellow. DEA roared ahead with some cheeky play. First, Elvis slipped an outless pass down the middle to Willie Mungere. As Willie slipped to the pitch, he kept his composure an from his ass and one-timed his pass to an on-rushing Chris Laberge. Laberge took a touch and noticed the keeper well off his line. From 45 yards out, Laberge left-footed a beautiful chip that everyone knew was in as soon as it left his foot. DEA had an important lead against the tough Ipswich squad. Five minutes later, Willie found himself open off a Jerold White pass eight yards from goal. The sniper himself admitted 'he got nervous' and shot directly at the keeper. He can do better than that, and he would later in the half. However, before DEA could build on their lead Ipswich moved the ball well inside DEA's zone. A poor clearance allowed for a transition back into the fray. As the DEA backfield was coming up the pitch, they suddenly found themselves allowing an open player through. They finished from close range to level it at one. DEA Keeper Lucas Hill then made a spectacular save, palming a scorching drive destined for the upper ninety. Lucas' pushed aside the drive as it ticked off the post before falling aside. Just outstanding. DEA would build a halftime lead when Jerold beat an off-sides trap and sent Willie in clean. Willie this time did much better, slotting home on the low right side to make it 2-1 at the half. The wind had been with DEA in the first half, so it was important to take the lead before the switch. The second half saw Ipswich all over DEA in the first ten minutes. DEA couldn't string more than two passes together, which was resulting in a turnover and another Ipswich onslaught. Lucas again came up big by laying out to punch aside a corner with Ipswich players draped all over him. Then, after a cross from the right side, Lucas again stretched out his entire 6'2" frame to push aside another shot destined for webbing. DEA had to gain control of the ball, as at this point it would only be a matter of time. Lucas was singlehandedly keeping DEA in the match. Ipswich was not done, however. Another bending ripper from 25 yards left Lucas only to watch, but it bounded off the bar and out of harm's way. And, yet another scramble left Lucas to punch out, and he was caught 12 yards from goal. The ensuing chip, however, didn't make it over Lucas and allowed DEA to right themselves. Ipswich had thrown everything at DEA to try to level, but great goalkeeping along with the defensive duo of Tom Labonville and Chris Florek allowed DEA to keep the lead. The middle portion of the second half saw DEA gain some measure of control back. They struck quickly when Willie sent Jerold down the right side. Jerold saw Laberge steaming through the middle, and sent a cross perfectly into the box. Laberge's brilliant header caught the keeper going the wrong way, and after a horrible first fifteen second half minutes, DEA had a 3-1 lead. Play evened for a while before the next Ipswich onslaught. After Lucas scrambled at the feet of two Ipswich players, the ball squirted free and Ipswich ripped a drive destined for the vacated goal. Peter Cline made maybe the save of the match, skying and heading off the line. As DEA turned to give Cliney the kudos, Corney blew his whistle and called, apparently, Lucas for the handball. He swears he saw a white jersey down in the scrum, but he was just flatout wrong. Ipswich calmly convereted the PK, and DEA was in for a battle in the last ten minutes. However, they held strong and didn't allow a shot as the final ticks went past. DEA has now taken seven points in their last three games, and have them upper tier of Division 1. Just like that, they went from planning on staying in the Division to wondering if they have the mettle to take the title. The all-important third half saw Ipswich again bring their A-Game. Their tailgate was open, and the spread was out as they had numbers for this beautiful afternoon. However, Laberge proved he can deliver in the kitchen as well as the box as he had prepped some sausages for the post game feast. DEA hung on, watching the Masters win their match 2-0 and saw Ipswich finally pack it up to go home. This leaves DEA's all-time third half record 1194-2-1. Anybody know a good liver doctor? DEA is back in action next week as they take on stumbling Hollis. Hollis appears to be having some problems in their own end, having given up 21 goals in their first four games in going 0-4. You know they will be fired up to play DEA, however, so everyone should be ready to play on Sunday. Gametime is 8:30 at the improved Legacy Field in Bedford. HUGE WIN!!!!!