DEA Bedford Over 30

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!