DEA Bedford Over 30

After the season's most crushing defeat to Hollis, the Bedford Pacers are in danger of relegation to Division 3 with only two games left. At the start of the season, Bedford was hopeful of jumping up to Division 1. After today's blown opportunity, Bedford is narrowly ahead of Marblehead with a makeup game at Marblehead this week. How did this happen? Bedford and Division-leading Hollis both brought close to their 'A' squads for this match. Hollis started strong, and when newcomer Brendan Gilmarton took a feed inside the area he ripped a shot that was destined for the short-side upper ninety. Pacer keeper Chris Cloutier harmlessly pushed it aside, but this was a wakeup call. After the initial five minutes, the play levelled and each side displayed some stingy defense. Bedford did have a couple of very good opportunities, the best was Gary DuPlessis' clear shot midway through that scorched wide. The halftime score was level at nil-nil, and as well it should have been as it was a solid, evenly played half. Early in the second half, Bedford finally broke through. Chris Florek found Barry Fitzgerald down the right flank. Fitzgerald beat his man and sent a beautiful cross to the back post. DuPlessis elevated and volleyed home the go-ahead tally. Not 10 minutes later, Hollis stopper Jeff West had a chance inside the area. As Bedford went to clear, the tough field caused the ball to bump up and instead of ball...they got a lot of leg and West went down in a heap. The referee never saw the play, as there were at least six players blocking his view. Hollis was all over the referee, but to his defense he really didn't see the play. Soon after, Mark Wilensky sent Jeff Guild through. As Hollis keeper Brock Bair and Bedford striker Jeff Guild both slid after the loose ball. Guild got there first, and after gathering himself from the collision pushed home the insurance tally. Hollis again erupted at the referee over the play, which was borderline and could have been called either way. Bedford had the important 2-0 lead as they looked to close this out with 20 minutes left. When Chris Laberge's cross was pushed home accidently by a Hollis defender for an own-goal, Bedford had a three goal cushion for the first time this year. Unfortunately, they played their absolute worst 15 minute stretch of soccer of the year as Hollis methodically pecked away at the lead. First, Ryan Carvalho took a short restart from 25 yards out and screamed a low liner towards goal. Cloutier got a late break on it and the ball just skimmed under his outstretched left hand. Hollis was on the board and even though they were down by two, seemed to have the momentum. Five minutes after, Chris Fitzgerald beat a man in the corner and found Dave Goupil completely unmarked in front of the net. Bedford thought he was offisides, but the play stood and just like that it was 3-2. Many of the fans who were streaming towards the exits not 10 minutes earlier began to shuffle back to their seats. This looked to be an entertaining final 10 minutes. I guess it would depend on for who you were rooting for this to be entertaining.... After Hollis' DiverMaster Koumaiz Emmanual took a look at the goal, he dove forward two strides into Bedford defensive personnel, let out a blood curdling scream, and fell to the pitch writhing in mythical pain. While we were all waiting for the magic sponge to come out, he ref pulled a classic makeup call and pointed directly to the spot. I hope he cleared his conscience and slept well. Ivan Crnilcvic neatly placed the leveller into the side webbing, and it was three-three with under 8 miunutes left. It was just a matter of time before they took the lead, and after Cloutier's poor punchout went directly to Ivan at the top of the box, he turned and mishit his shot wide of the goal. In a cruel irony, the Legacy pitch let Bedford down as Ivan's dribbling shot took a fortuitious hop and snaked it's way into the side netting. 4-3 Hollis. Bedford's heads were down. The heat had sapped all their energy, and after one more opportunity by DuPlessis that was turned aside the ref blew his whistle and ended Bedford's misery...and, quite possibly their stay in Division 2. This was one of the toughest defeats this intrepid reporter has ever been a part of. While Bedford certainly didn't deserve to be ahead by three goals, they just as certainly deserved a better result from a very solid 75 minutes of soccer. Three points seperate four teams in the race to stay in Division 2, with Marblehead mopping up the rear right now with a game in hand. Bedford is in a dead-heat with Pepperell in fourth place, one point behind Billerica. Bedford finishes their season with Marblehead with a makeup game this Wednesday, then they close the season out in Billerica on Sunday. Basically, if Bedford wins both of their games, they'll get through. If they split, they will be looking for some outside help from Hollis and Westford to ensure they stay in the table. Just a depressing, depressing Sunday....PLEASE MAKE THE TRIP TO MARBLEHEAD THIS WEDNESDAY!!!