DEA Bedford Over 30

Lucas Hill can talk the talk, but he can back it up by walking the walk. After threatening to toss a shutout on Sunday, Hill did just that in backstopping DEA to a comfortable 3-0 win at the Joppa Hill International Airport. DEA still stands at the top of the table with a lofty 5-1-0 record, one point above 4-0-2 Windham. DEA came out flying, and began to pepper Marblehead's Purple Pizza Eater in the net. However, the first 35 minutes had nothing to show for it as DEA continued to be stymied in similar fashion to the Windham game two weeks prior. DEA Outside Midfielder Barry Fitzgerald was flying down the wing today, having lots of space to roam and continually attacking the right flank. The recipe seemed simple, build out of the back, find Barry with lots of space, let him skate into the box, where his precision crosses found their mark. Unfortunately, the finishing was just off as Willie Davis scorched one wide and Jerold White's shot was saved. Barry himself had the two best chances, one that whistled wide and another that was parried aside as it was bending inside the far post. Back at the other end of the airstrip, DEA employed Chris Jones in the sweeper postion as a reward for leaving an anniversary weekend with his wife to come play the match. That's good stuff. Jonesie was fronted by Dale Dubois, with Peter Cline, Jon Cloutier, and John Demeritt rotating on the wings. Thirty minutes in, Marblehead created one of their first adventurous runs into DEA territory. After Barry cleared the corner, Jerold's long clearance sprung Willie Davis. Davis dribbled the keeper, and was brought down after a 15-yard gain...creating a first and goal from the....oops, wait, wrong sport. Let's try again: Davis dribbled the keeper, and was brought down inside the area when he was in clean. With Marblehead's mouthy forward Adil Nmili chanting on the sidelines, Davis slammed home the ensuing PK to get DEA on the board. That was the halftime score, but DEA was looking for much more. With more and more of the action in the Marblehead Zone, DEA kept creating chances. Willie Mungere had an open look, but dribbled into trouble before being cleared aside. Jerold's backpost run was just seconds late. DEA was patient, but really needed to put this to rest. That came midway through with one of the first touches of the match for Jeff Bailey. Classic Bailey. Lucas' long punt was settled by Jerold about 50 yards from goal. As Jerold turned toward goal, he sprung Bailey on the right with a seeing-eye through ball. Bailey's first touch was all netting, give DEA a 2-0 advantage. Make no mistake, this was a professional goal by two quality players. As is the case with all DEA teams, this cushion meant they no longer had to defend. Marblehead kept pushing, and after chance after chance was either cleared or saved, it looked like Marblehead was going to break through. Sander Van Otterloo turned from the left flank and caught Lucas wrong-footed. He could only watched as the soft drive dilly-dallied it's way toward the far post. "The Post is a Keeper's Best Friend" goes the age-old saying, and it surely was here. The soft drive bounded off the post but skirted across the goalmouth where Lucas swallowed it up to preserve the shutout. To put a finishing touch on the afternoon, Bailey and Fitzgerald linked up again on the right flank. Their quick passing allowed Willie Mungere to spring free, where he unselfishly fed Jerold two yards from goal. Jerold doesn't miss these, and he emphatically slammed it home to close out the scoring. A workmanlike win on this chilly day, this match was never in doubt from the first whistle. The only doubt was who was going to win the Third Half. Marblehead brought their 'A-Game' for the Third Half, playing much better than they did in the first two halves. Attacking with numbers, many in chairs and sunning themselves in the rapidly warming weather, DEA had a battle on their hands. With the big spread they put out, DEA was able to keep themselves fed and the beers kept flowing, and ultimately wore down Marblehead. Thanks to the players who provided a full menu of hot dogs, sandwiches, chips, salsa, brownies, cup cakes, pretzles, potatoE salad, and of course The Magic Cooler. Marblehead finally moved on, and almost on queue DEA squelched the last from the cooler and packed up. DEA next battled Westford on the road next week. Game time is 11:00. Look for updates as the week moves on.