DEA Bedford Over 30

DEA could have put themselves in the driver's seat for Sunday's title match against Pepperell, but instead drew with Billerica. Now, it's winner-take-all when they take on Pepperell for the D2North crown. DEA started fast and furious, with Gary DuPlessis storming down the left flank. After beating one man, he fed Peter Cline inside the area. Cliney's shot whistled by, but DEA was already setting the tone. DuPlessis had another great opportunity five minutes later, this time beating the keeper to a loose ball but slamming his shot off the post. DEA had a feeling that the two missed opportunities could cost them as the game wore on. Billerica would go on top 15 minutes into the match on a direct restart from 19 yards out. After Chris Florek nudged Billerica's jerk striker Peter Kuleska, fatboy Peter dropped to the pitch with a moan. The ref, a nice guy but in over his head, bought it and awarded the kick. Billerica's Samire Ezzeddine took it beautifully, bending it over the wall and destined for the upper 90. DEA keeper Chris Cloutier got a fingertip on it, but ultimately not enough as it hit the bottom of the bar and trickled in. Cloutier was left lamenting ordering the Ninety-Nine's extra-large Buffalo Tenders for lunch instead of the regular...those extra two tenders were just enough to weigh him down..... After releasing a gas valve, Cloutier was much more spry on the next restart, taken from 22 yards out and off to the side a bit. This time, he dove far to his left to punch away another drive destined for the other corner. DEA would go into the half down 1-0, but ahead in shots on goal 10-2. DEA kept up more of the same in the second half. Barry Fitzgerald had a glorious chance that he didn't get enough wood on. Sonny Gagnon had another. Willie Davis was all over the pitch after coming on. However, chance after chance went for naught. Finally, Fitzgerald and Davis hooked up after finishing off a fast break. Fitzgerald's crisp cross found Davis, who punched it home and DEA had finally levelled. Not content to settle for a tie, they kept the pressure on in pursuit of the important two additonal points. Fitzgerald tried another one of his long range shots that the keeper made a good save on. Jeff Bailey had a good look, but misfired. They kept coming, but couldn't break through a second time. Defensively, JD, Dale, Flo, Rich Powlowsky and Chris Laberge prevented any real chances on DEA's goal in the second half. Finally, one last overhead volley from DuPlessis was saved, and the match was over. It was a tie...but it surely felt like a loss. The tie didn't do much to help DEA, as if they lost or tied they still have to beat Pepperell on Sunday for the crown. Howeve, they did clinch at least the second seed in the upcoming playoffs, their first entry in since the Spring of '03. DEA will be scrounging for numbers on Sunday. This match looms very large, as Pepperell and DEA knotted 2-2 earlier in the year. If the match ends in a tie, Pepperell goes through on a more favorable goal differential.