DEA Bedford Over 30

Due to the weather, we have moved the game to the Hampshire Dome in Milford, NH. It is a very nice indoor facility with a high dome roof and a full size turf field. Very easy to find. Follow route 101 WEST into Milford. Get of at the Route 13 exit. Take a left on Route 13. Go 1/10th mile to a stop light and take a left on Emerson road. Field is 1/2 mile on the right.

Stoneham showed why they are consistantly one of the top teams in Division 1 by pulling away from DEA late and winning 4-1. DEA had schedule this makeup game from Easter for 6:00pm. Stoneham's Manager, Dino Buttafucco, complained that his players couldn't make that game time, and instead was kind enough to offer his field and have the match be played on a Saturday, "When it's more convenient for them". Since 6:00 was too early, DEA rescheduled for 7:00. That was still too early, so DEA rescheduled for 8:00. This time was agreed upon. The match was held at the Hampshire Dome, an impressive new facility that allowed for full field indoor play. As 8:00 rolled around, there was DEA with near a full squad but no sign of Stoneham. At 8:15, when DEA had every right to take the forfeit win with still no word from Stoneham, they patiently waited. At 8:30, Stoneham looked to be a no-show and DEA began to split up for an intra-squad scrimmage. Finally, at 8:35, Stoneham rolled into the parking lot. By 8:45, the ref was ready for the coin toss and Dino asked instead to have the start held for another 45 minutes to wait for the player with the rest of the uniforms and cleats to show up. OK, I have a question: Who doesn't bring their own uniform to a game? This is ridiculous. DEA demanded Stoneham get out there to play or we were walking. "Let's go" said the ref. Enough of the editor's commentary, let's get to the actual match... The Field Turf played fast, which played into the quicker Stoneham's hands. Sending ball after ball over the top, Stoneham made DEA a bit harried in the back. Manual Santos would take a pass just outside the 18, and had a clear untouched look at the goal. He scorched a low drive the whistled by a slow-reacting DEA keeper Chris Cloutier to get the scoring started. Minutes later, Santos had a similar look and fired another scorcher, but this time Cloutier smothered it. Dan Martin was playing a marking sweeper, and doing a fine job of holding Santos striker Rogerio DaSilva in check into the halftime. Offensively, DEA didn't create much. However, as disorganized as DEA seemed at times they did clamp down when needed and rode the 1-0 deficit into the half. Second half saw DEA being industrious on their counters, while Stoneham held more of the possession. By bringing in late runners, they pressured the DEA back four with 6-7 players at a time. Martin, with some solid help from Chris Laberge, Dale Dubois, and Chris Florek held strong. Offensively, Gary Duplessis and Jeff Bailey were beginning to break free and made the Stoneham midfielders work hard in their own half. With about 20 minutes left, a controversial call allowed for a Stoneham PK. They easily converted, and DEA looked to be in a big hole. Not 5 minutes later, however, Marco Koolman's quickly-taken restart found netting and DEA was back into it. Stoneham errupted like little children. Repeatedly kicking the ball all over the place and verbally thrashing the ref. After another five minutes of more DEA pressure, Elvis Zukovic sprang Duplessis on the left side. He beat his man, and sent a cross to a leaping Laberge. His header slipped over the bar, just missing a chance to level. Stoneham took advantage, sending Rogerio streaking down the right side. His pace with the ball at his feet outdistanced himself from three defenders. Cloutier was slow to come out, and Rogerio deposited the insurance tally and back breaker. When Laberge turned a crossing header into an own-goal on a tough break, the nail was officially in the coffin and DEA dropped to 1-7. DEA now has two games left. A Sunday rematch with Hollis, again at the Hampster Dome. They close out the season with Pepperell that is looking like it will be a battle to avoid relegation. Great effort in a tough loss. A special thanks must be extended to Dale, for taking the lads out to Shorty's after the match for a few too many brews.

A paper-thin DEA squad dropped another tough one to Ipswich, 2-0. This was the fourth time DEA was shutout in seven games this season. A short bench on a hot day again proved to be a deadly combination. Ipswich broke through in the opening minutes when Daniel Matica's outside of the right boot bender missed it's intended target, but instead fell softly into the open far side webbing. The fluke goal was admittedly mis-hit, and DEA keeper Lucas Hill was caught by the tough shot. Ipswich made it 2-0 after fifteen minutes when Hill punched out a corner kick, but didn't get all of it. It rattled around the area a bit, before being nodded into the empty goalmouth. Down by two, still over an hour to play, but with only two subs and a 2nd choice keeper in the starting 11, DEA had their heads down. They did provide a bit of thunder as they attempted to climb back in the match. Rob Cissel's thumping header went just over the bar. Chris Laberge's low scorcher whistled by just wide. DEA could take comfort that they had stopped the bleeding going into the half, and while being outplayed they were still in the match. The opening fifteen minutes of the second half would give DEA a glimmer of hope, but would ultimately break them. First, Laberge was sent through by Jeff Bailey and he took the keeper on. He dribbled him, and was dragged down inside the area. All eyes turned to the ref...would it be a red card? A yellow? Surely, at least a PK?? Befuddingly, he only pointed to the corner kick after declaring "I was screened". Two minutes later, Bailey was pushed through but was whistled for an offsides. The ref missed the Ipswich left back, trailing the play and keeping everyone on. The ref looked stunned when he turned his head to see was DEA was screaming about. Not ready to roll over and die just yet, Bailey was sprung clear twice more. First, his low shot was swallowed up by the diving keeper. His second drive was engulfed by the Ipswich right back's nuts. After creating four stupendous chances, with nothing to show for it, the wind seemed to go out of their sails. Ipswich began to pick up their play again. The solid defending of Dale Dubois and Chris Florek helped to keep the scoring down. Lucas made two tremendous saves to keep some order in the house. But, DEA knew each tick of the clock brought them closer to death. Kudos to Rob Cissel and Peter Cline for playing some solid minutes With three matches left, it looks like DEA and Pepperell are going to battle it out to avoid relegation. Hollis stunned Stoneham on Sunday, winning a 7-5 wild one. Pepperell was dropped by Seacoast, 7-3. Currently, DEA's lone win against Pepperell is the only thing keeping them out of the cellar. DEA has a tentative make-up game with Stoneham on Friday night. After, they close with Hollis (at home) and on the road to Pepperell. Last year, DEA went to Pepperell needing a win to try to jump to Division 1. This year, they may need a win just to say in Division 1. WE NEED SOME MORE PLAYERS TO SHOW UP!!!!!!!!!!!

The commitment level lately sucks. DEA had to forfeit a game to Stoneham on Sunday due to lack of players that were available to make the trip. Hopefully, the next two home games will turn things around. This Sunday DEA takes on Ipswich at 8:30 AM at Sportsmans Field. Ipswich is very beatable if DEA shows up with what resembles a squad. A sub or two would be nice...

With all the rain and flooding going on across the state, DEA Management had to do some last minute maneuvers to acquire a playable pitch. The game was moved to Rising Stars in Bedford on their 11v11 indoor turf field. Seacoast arrived early with an army of players as DEA was sitting with 9 at game time. Two more would show to give DEA 11. DEA would position their players the for the lineup that was present. With Chris Laberge and Chris Florek controlling the central defense and Dale and JD on the flanks, it appeared that DEA was destine to play defense for the match. However, DEA would surprise Seacoast and take the game to them. Gary DuPlessis and Peter Cline would provide the pressure up top and Elvis and Marco would control the midfield. Jon Cloutier and Mark W. would spread the game out at outside mid. Lucas would command things in the DEA net and had a tremendous game. It would be DEA that would strike first, about midway through the first as Marco would find Gary open up top. Gary would beat his defender and bury one for DEA. Seacoast was frustrated with there play and continued to try to counter. DEA's tactic of keeping the play outside and allowing the long strikes worked like a charm with Lucas on his game. DEA would enter the break up 1-0. The second half started out the same, but at the half wore on, DEA started to get pinned into their own end. With no subs the fatigue started to show. Seacoast would ring a couple off the cross bar and Lucas would make a couple of higher level saves to keep the DEA lead. However, with about 10 minutes to play, Seacoast would work the ball down the right side. As DEA was aligning the coverage, the seacoast striker took a tough angle shot that would find the upper left corner of the DEA net. Things were tied up and DEA was struggling to come out with a point. It was not to be, as with two minutes to play, Seacoast's Bob Ricard would hit a great cross from the left side to an unmarked player on the right. The ball was headed into the short side and DEA would suffer a very disappointing loss, 2-1. DEA played very well with the players that they had. It is truly a shame that on a home game in the pouring rain, DEA could only come up with 11 players. Although the frustration level was clearly evident, DEA management had no comment following the match. The commitment this season for some players has been poor and will certainly be a factor in resigning this fall.