DEA Bedford Over 30

The Bedford Pacers and the North Andover Hotspurs battled to an exciting 3-3 draw this afternoon. The Hotspurs led three different times, but the suddenly resiliant Pacers batteled back each time to level. The game was considered a win for the Pacers, as North Andover trounced them 7-0 earlier in the year. North Andover lead 1-0 at the half, but Bedford was content to let North Andover hold the ball and possess, but clamped down inside the 18 in holding them to only 5 shots in the half. Early in the second half, Bedford received a gratuitous call inside the area. Chris Laberge slammed home the PK, and the fun was just getting started. With JD playing his best match of the year, defensively the Pacers were really playing well. As the match wore on, they possessed the ball more and created more and more opportunities. North Andover went ahead midway through the half by deposting home the go-ahead goal from an offsides position. A tough call for the fill-in ref to see...but this would just force Bedford to continue to battle back. After Chris Cloutier made a nice save on a low cross, the Pacers headed up the field. Chris Florek dropped a nifty ball into the right corner, where Laberge took an adventageous first touch and headed towards goal. He slipped a feed to John Guild, who laced a low screamer to bring this exciting match back to level. With under 15 minutes left, Bedford had turned the corner fitness-wise and looked to be the better team. The backfield of Dale, Paul, Rob Easton, JD and Rich Powlowsky stopped wave after wave. Midfielders Florek, Jon Cloutier, and the Brothers Guild created more and more opportunities for Laberge up front. Laberge, on a scary goal-scoring streak since being moved to forward, spearheaded nearly every opportunity inside the Hotspurs "18". Could Bedford finally climb into the lead? After a grossly exaggerated dive inside Bedford's box, the Hotspurs took the lead once again with their unjustly awarded PK. That made one for each squad. With the lead back in their hands, some Hotspurs turned to taunting Bedford. Never a recommended thing to do... Bedford would get the equalizer with 4 minutes left. After taking the ball to the corner in an attempt to run out the clock, the Hotspurs were forced into a turnover by JD's smart defending. Florek's ensuing corner kick bounced around the area before Laberge potted home his second of the day. Not content with a draw...Bedford looked to take the lead. Instead, the Hotspurs got one more opportunity with a restart 20 yards from goal. The shot was perfectly placed inside the short post, but Cloutier came up huge by just getting enough of it to keep it out. The Keystone Kops routine was somewhat comical, as the ball rattled around for a bit before finally being cleared. The game ended soon. A splendid match on All Hallow's Eve. Bedford, undefeated in their last four matches, looks to close out the season with a win next Sunday against Westford. The game is at Legacy Field at 9:00. A great effort by all!