DEA Bedford Over 30

The Bedford Pacers Management are in the process of are finalizing the roster for the upcoming season. The Pacers have a long history as one of the dominant teams in the NEOTHSL. Starting way back in 1990 in division 6N and clawing the way up to Division 2N. History speaks for itself, but the management is not satisfied. Pacers' management is looking to bring home the cup and move to Division 1N, completing a full sweep of the league. Therefore, they are facing tough decisions this spring season. As an Over-30 league, a roster for a squad like this is always changing. As one of the main Pacers feeder program, DEA/Bedford Soccer Club, is responsible for prepping college-level players for the NEOTHSL. This feeder program has been successful so far, but some recent birthdays and changes in the NEOTHSL age rules, has allowed the Pacers more flexibility in finalizing the roster than in the past. Competing at a Division 2 level is tough. The level of play can be outstanding. With Division 1 firmly in their sites, the Pacers have to start to look at what the best assemblance of players they can put on the roster and on the pitch now...and for the future. Quality players only want to play against quality teams. Quality teams need quality players. If the Pacers are to remain in Division 2, and also to move up to Division 1, more overall quality across the board must be addressed. The Bedford Pacers won't be a team like many of the NEOTHSL that makes a run for the top, then falls apart and drops down to Division 6. This franchise is built for the long haul. Player dedication is as important as quality. For the continued success of the Bedford Pacers, we are asking every player to look at themselves objectively. Ask yourself these questions: Am I dedicated enough to consistently show up and be a player that the Pacers can count on? Do my skillsets mesh with the current roster, and the team's future ambitions? The answers to these questions must be an affirmative YES. If you are unsure of your commitment, or unsure if your level of play meshes with this style and quality of play, the Pacers management would like to use the roster spot with one of our "up and comers" from the DEA/Bedford Soccer Club or other player aquired through our scouting network. As we stand at the moment, we have three very talented 30 year old players who would like to join the pacers, but we do not have a roster spot for them. The management would like to sign these players and there is a real danger of loosing them to the Division 1 Hollis team or possibly our rival Windham if we flounder. Please reply to this email ASAP with your decision as to this upcoming spring season that is slated to begin on April 11th. On behalf of the entire squad, the Bedford Pacers would like to thank everyone for the continued dedication and excellence on the pitch. "

Sean Kelly, one of the original Pacers, announced his retirement today. He will be moving up to the Over-40 squad. "I wanted to express my appreciation for being able to play with such a great bunch of friends" Kelly recently said. "I've been able to witness this team evolve to a fine football club. Each year playing better ball. So best of luck this coming season. See you all in the older leagues eventually..God Willing" Sean's dedication and effort on the pitch will be sorely missed. The Bedford Pacers would like to wish Sean all the luck in his future soccer career.

In a game that turned out to mean more than could be imagined, the Bedford Pacers lost their last game of the season to an abbreviated Danvers squad. In a word, the game was horrible. Bedford had 10 men and Danvers had 9 to start the game on a 25 degree frozen solid field with the wind blowing down the length of the field at 20 mph. George Wegricht would get net duties for the Pacers, as he was the only one with keeper experience this day. Poor George would have to change into his sneakers at the half as his feet were freezing from standing still throughout the first half of the match. The first half was all bedford as John and Jeff Guild would show up to give the Pacers a two man advantage over the Internationals. Bedford should of had 8 goals in the first half as they had the wind at their backs and the ball in the Danvers end the entire time. However, Danvers packed it in and the half would end 0-0. The second half saw a sparked up Danvers squad. Still with a two man disadvantage, they would place their striker as far up field as possible and keep launching balls over the heads of the Pacers defenders. The stradegy worked and resulted in three goals for Danvers. Not much more to say.. Danvers 3 - Bedford 0... Everyone was glad to hear the final whistle. The win would mean everything to Danvers. On Monday night the NEOTHSL board met and overturned the decision not to penalize Lowell for roster violations. Lowell would receive two losses for their first two games and would drop them just below Danvers for the relegation spot. The entire division was deeply saddened by this relegation. We all looked forward to the yelling, pushing, dirty play, non league referees, trash talk that we have come to expect from Lowell... Oh well, maybe in the Fall of 2004 we will see them.... or maybe they will fall like a stone as Peobody and Tewksbury have done... We all look forward to the Spring season with a more consistent game to game roster. Have a good off season.....

The Bedford Pacers were in a close match against Windham for the first 46 minutes on Sunday. Windham would pull away in the second half early and often en route to a 4-0 drubbing at Legacy Field. On the year, Windham outscored Beford by an ungodly 10-0 margin. That won't get it done. BigKirk would rise above everyone to bash a header off Corlton Simmond's cross for the first goal at the 10 minute mark. Corlton put the ball in the only place a Pacer defender couldn't get to it and Kirk could...about 10 feet in the air. Chris Laberge's right-footed shot from the top left side of the box at the mid-way point would skirt just wide in their best attempt to get the knotting tally. With the match now 40 minutes old, Kirk would again be sent streaking down the left side. Robbie Easton's slide tackle and creative touch would stop the play. Kirk would dish one back to "Shooter" at the top of the box. His laced drive was sent skidding toward the low-left post. Chris Cloutier made a fine hand save to push it aside to keep the score close at the half. Unfortunately for Bedford, Windham would put away any thoughts of a second-half comeback with two goals by the 50th minute. The first was caused by a turnover that allowed Kirk in on a breakaway. His bending left-footed shot would kiss of the post. Minutes later, Ellie's cross found Kirk again. His shot would bend the collarbone of Cloutier, and the ensuing rebound and scramble was tucked away and the rout was on. Corlton would finish off a two-on-none at 75 minutes for the final tally. Pacers mop up the season next Sunday in Danvers.