Front Row L to R:  Joao AC Paiva, Jeff Guild, Ed Ibanez, Jim Eilenberger, Mike Robichaud, Rob Easton, John "JD" Demeritt, Back Row L to R: Peter Cline, Chris Cloutier, John Guild, Woody Harper, Dale Dubois, Jim Walker, Jeff Bailey, Joe Masci, Scott Sharby

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DEA will host the high-scoring Framingham United team, winners of the Southern Division, on Sunday.  Gametime has been pushed back to 9:00 for everyone except JD.  He needs to be there for 8:15.

DEA has been untested for nearly two months, winning seven straight to ensure promotion.  To be sure, Framingham looks to be a formidable challenger, based on their history alone.

A long time participant in the Masters Division of the OTHSL, the were mainstays in Division 1 throughout the late 90's.  As the Millenium dawned, they were more inconsistant over the last six years.  They played two seasons '03 and '04 in Division 3 before climbing back up to top flight soccer for the 2005 season.  They remained a mid-table squad in Division 1 before the uprising of 2008.

A few teams broke from the league, forming some sort of colony with Stoneham Ralph as their leader.  Needless to say, that lasted but a few short weeks before the teams came back to the OTHSL.  Considered a new team, Framingham was placed in the bottom Division 6 for the Fall 2008 season.  There, they put on a disgusting display.

Going neck-and-neck with another returning squad (Shake-Shake Soccer Club), Framingham poured in an unheard of 78 goals in ten games, allowing a paltry 3, in their historic run.  Both teams had to run up the scores in an effort to climb back to upper echelons of the League.  League elders decided they would place Framingham in a more reasonable Division 3 this year.  There, their offensive prowess was still evident, but scored a more tame 30 goals in ten matches.  

 Both DEA and Framingham bring an identical +21 goal differential.  They got there a bit differently.  Framingham was in danger of losing the division to FC Needham (whom they were tied with despite taking 4 points from them) as they racked up 9 card points.  DEA still has not registered a card point this season.

 Defensively, DEA has the edge.  They have given up more than one goal just a single time this season, during the Groton ten-minute debacle in the third week.  Since that time, they've allowed only 4 goals, two of which were classified as garbage at the end of blow-outs.  They have not allowed a goal in their last 240 minutes of play.  At Sportsman's, DEA has allowed just two goals all year.

The two teams look to be very evenly matched.  Framingham looks to bring the potential for a high-scoring attack if last  year's results are any indication.  The big pitch of Sportsman's Field should help DEA's superior fitness direct the game in their favor.  Las Vegas Oddsmakers have slotted them a 1/2 goal favorite.

DEA continued their winning ways after touching up Westford for a 5-0 whipping at Sportsman's Field.

With the division already clinched, but a homefield playoff game at stake, DEA methodically went about dispatching a Westford team that is struggling to stay in Division 3.  Jim Walker and Jeff Bailey led with way with two goals apiece; Jeff Guild took over the team lead in assists with three more on the day.

Again, DEA got off to a strong start and took the lead off a beautiful long ball by Guild.  With Bailey sneaking in at the back post, Guild sent a beautiful 40-yard cross that Bailey met in full stride, tipping home a half-volley to put DEA up 1-0.

DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger was called up to make a solid save when Bill Farmer launched a 25-yard scorcher that 'Berg had to get up quickly for to keep DEA in the lead.

Late in the first half, Westford defender Craig Himmelberger then went postal.  After having Chris Cloutier do nothing more than touch him, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble went off because he didn't want to be touch.  Dropping f-bomb after f-bomb, Bubble Boy wouldn't let it drop, constantly whining as Cloutier made attempts to find out what his problem was.  Finally, Cloutier took to just touching him out of sheer amusement, and Bubble Boy continued to lose it before the ref shut him up with a yellow.  It was actually very amusing.

Early in the second half, DEA put this one away.  Joao Palva seemlessly waltzed through traffic and slipped an absolute beauty of a through ball to Bailey.  Bailey touched home from close range to put DEA up 2-0.

With 'Berg nursing a hamstring injury, DEA put Cloutier between the pipes so ensure the shutout remained in tact.  He was forced into making one save on a hard shot by Joe Royal.  One cross by Mike Sawyer appeared to pick out Bubble Boy, but Rob Easton touched him so Bubbles got all flustered and the cross went for naught. 

Intent on keeping the shutout, Dale Dubois and Joe Masci kept any other chances well outside of the area.  DEA just doesn't give up many shots at goal.  Masci did pull one off the line when Cloutier was caught chasing butterflies.

DEA then broke Westford's spirit with three goals in quick succession.  First, Guild picked up his second assist by springing Walker in clean.  Walker dribbled the keeper before potting into the open net for a 3-0 lead.

Mike Robichaud got on the board when he found saw Walker's open backside run and fed him a beauty of a pass.  Walker finished neatly for a 4-0 lead.

Joao got one of his own when his deflected shot found goal to make it 5-0.

It looked to be an even six a few moments later when Peter Cline tip-toed the backline and found Walker free at the back post.  Walker just couldn't get high enough, sending his open header just over the bar.

DEA is on the road next week in Lowell, currently residing in the relegation zone with Westford.  A win next week for DEA means they will host a playoff game the following week.  A loss, and it's anyone's guess.

Great Win, DEA.  And, remember...don't touch The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.

DEA ensured themselves promotion after winning their fifth straight game in a 3-1 thumping over second place Groton.  DEA used the same recipe that has carried them for the last month:  score early, defend with tenacity, and don't let your opposition off the floor when you have them down.

Groton, the table leader for the first month and proud owners of the only team to take three points from DEA, came into the game with a bit of an identity crisis.  After starting the season with three straight wins, and four games without a loss, Groton was in the midst of a three-game losing streak that had them closer to the bottom than the top.  They looked to reverse the recent trends, however DEA had other intentions.

Curiously, Groton started very well, while DEA was on their heels in the early going.  Groton took their first meeting after DEA fell asleep for the first ten minutes of the second half.  Today, it was the first ten minutes of the game that saw a similar, lousy effort from DEA.

After no less than five direct restart opportunities, all less than 25 yards from goal, saw DEA flummoxed, they finally got out of their own end.  A goal would be the result.

Jeff Guild and Jim Walker worked a clearance down the right side.  Walker looked to find Scott Sharby on the back post, but his pass was cleared out for a corner.  The ensuing restart saw nothing come of it, and the Groton keeper smothered an easy chance.

As Groton players looked to break quickly against the aggresive DEA defense in the box, the keeper threw an ill-advised outlet pass.  DEA left back Chris Cloutier stepped in front and picked off the clearance and immediately attacked into the area.  Looking for Walker, his pass was high and Groton swept a clearance off to the right.  Jeff Guild kept the pressure on, keeping the play in the area and fired a low drive the somehow made it's way through a maze of bodies still camped in front of the goal.  The play seemed destined to go out of bounds, but Cloutier was still out wide and managed to keep the play alive, 8 yards from the far post.  He took one touch before feeding Sharby alone in front.  Sharby non-chalently one-timed an inside left heel flick that caught everyone watching and DEA was in front 1-0.

After that, DEA played with more enthusiasm.  Peter Cline and Joao Palva were dominant in the middle, working hard to win the ball, but also keeping possession after.  

Groton's offensive attempts were rudimentary.  Long drives in search of striker Barry Doust became easier to read.  As has been the case for nearly every game this season, the defensive duo in the middle Dale Dubois and Joe Masci were quick to clamp on anything with the slightest hint of danger.  Not coincidentally, the only games the two of them missed was the earlier game against Groton.  Go figure.

DEA made it 2-0, and again it was forced from defensive pressure.  Again, Cloutier started the play.  This time, he dis-possessed Groton midfielder Paul Rhea 30 yards from goal.  His pass had intended to find a streaking Mike Robichaud, but never made it that far.  Instead, Cliney intercepted and quickly found himself in a hornet's nest of three defenders swirling about.  Cliney waltzed through all of them, appearing unfazed on the other side, with a clean look at goal inside the 18.  With time to calibrate, he scorched a drive passed the keeper and Groton was stunned.

Ed Ibanez sprang Jeff Bailey down the right, and after beating his defender like a rented mule he was in clear.  His dribble went astry, forcing him to slow down and see Walker off the back post.  His threaded attempt would have just a bit too much pace to it, leaving DEA to rue the missed opportunity to go up 3-0 before half.

Sensing the urgency of the situation, Groton pressed forward as the half wore down.  With midfield momentum swinging back to their favor, they forced DEA to retreat and eventually eight players were camped inside the box.  Unfortunately, no defenders were the danger zone...25-40 yards from goal.  George Manthous saw the opportunity, and found stopper Simon Ditchman stepping up.  Simon received well, took a long look, and let fly a 30-yard missile that DEA defenders all swivelled in unison as it sailed by.  DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger did well to get a good mitt on it, but not enough as this rocket hit top corner.  Groton felt some confidence heading into the locker room.

While Groton did have a few opportunities with possession and crosses into the box in the early stages of the second half, DEA began to impart their will more as the game wore on.  Then, they got their two-goal cushion back.

John Demeritt latched onto a through-ball and tip-toed along the left touchline.  Forcing his defender to miss, JD laced a perfect pass to the back post where Sharby had the easiest of touches for his second.  

Sharby looked to have his hat-trick five minutes after when Bailey's long pass was perfectly placed to a rising Sharby who headed home.  However, because Scott's defender was much smaller the ref assumed an infraction must've occured, and waived the goal off.

Eilenberger had his typical game.  Doing his best work in quarterbacking and enforcing good defensive shape, he was called upon only a couple of times to make saves.  By keeping the backfield to maintain their marking and posture, shots are prevented...crosses easily cleared.  The mark of a true great goaltender.

'Berg was forced to make one acrobatic save when he rose to meet a deflected shot with his defender storming from the far side.  'Berg somehow rose above the fray, held on, spun away from danger, and landed as if the area was covered in your finest goose down.  Visions of Lynn Swann appeared in this reporter's head.

Even as Groton attempted to throw attackers at DEA, they held strong and finished out with another 3-1 victory, their third game with that exact score this season.  

With 19 points on the board, DEA sat back and enjoyed quite a few brews while the afternoon scores trickled in.  It was later revealed that Boxford upended Lowell, giving DEA the title with two games left to play.  There is a logjam in the rest of the division, with no team above .500 and only four points separating table-dwellers Westford from second-place Wenham.  Any of the rest of the division could finish in second or find themselves in Division 4 in the fall.  The only thing for sure is the DEA is moving on up.  

A closer look at the statistics reveal just how dominating DEA has been.  Take away the previously mentioned ten-minute abberation in their third game, DEA has run roughshod all year.  By only giving up 7 goals in 8 games, their GAA is a half-a goal better than their closest competition, and almost a full goal better than the league average.  Offensively, DEA has scored almost twice as much as any other team, and is one of only two teams with a positive goal-differential (Groton being the other at +1; DEA comes in at +14).  Oh, and ZERO CARD POINTS to boot.  Dominant.

DEA can now look to the other divisions with an eye on the playoff picture.  With three brackets competing, DEA needs to keep winning to ensure a home playoff game.  With two games left, they sit on 19 points, good for second place overall in Divison 3 behind Central leading-MPS Newton (20).  The Southern bracket has Framingham and Needham deadlocked at 17 points.  DEA can ensure a home playoff game by winning their last two games against Westford (home next wek) and the season finale (at Lowell).

GREAT WIN DEA!!

DEA is on the brink of ensuring themselves promotion to Division 2 after a 3-1 swamping over Wenham United.  DEA now has a two-game lead over reeling Groton and the hard-charging Lowell with three games left. 

DEA started with 9 men, but with Wenham's tiny pitch it wasn't a problem.  Chris Cloutier was keeping the goalmouth warm while First Choice keeper Jim Eilenberger got himself ready.

Soon after stepping onto the pitch, Cloutier got the scoring started when he was gifted an open header 10' from goal.  After Jim Walker looked to force a corner, the Wenham defender inexplicably tried save the corner by sending his clearance back across the goal, where Cloutier was sitting all alone, sipping his morning coffee and reading the paper.  He merely had to put down his coffee cup and nod home into the gaping goal.  An awful error that DEA was smart to capitalize on.

DEA made it 2-0 fifteen minutes later, through more conventional means.  This time, it was precision passing right through the heart of Wenham.  Jeff Bailey slipped a ball to Joao Palva.  Joao beat a man, and as two defenders collapsed on him they left leading scorer Jim Walker open on the left.  Walker timed his run perfectly, received Joao's through ball, and chipped the onrushing keeper to make it 2-0 DEA.

Wenham did have one good opportunity, their Stopper stepping into a bouncing clearance and hammering a hard drive that bounded high off the bar.

DEA salted this away midway through the second half.  Ed Ibanez, looking fully recovered from an offseason knee injury, tracked down a loose ball in the corner and found Bailey open in the middle.  Bailey poked home a short drive into the far webbing to give DEA an insurmountable 3-0 lead.

DEA's backfield quartert of Dale Dubois, Joe Masci, John Demeritt and Rob Easton again showed themselves as the class of the league.  Coupled with keeper Jim Eilenberger, their defense has been outstanding all year, giving up just 6 goals in 7 games.

DEA take on Groton next Sunday at Sportsman's Field.  Groton, after starting the season 3-0, hasn't won in four games including dropping three straight.  DEA can clinch at least a tie for first with a win next week.

DEA put in their third straight strong performance, running their record to 4-1-1 and pushing themselves three points clear of second place Groton with a 2-1 victory over reeling FC Boxford.

It was pouring for long stretches of this match, with a heavy swirling wind making an appearance on occasion.  Other than a few spots of standing water, the conditions had no effect as DEA rode Jim Walker's two goals to victory.

The small pitch took DEA a while to get used to.  In the opening minutes, a skimming through ball caught Joe Masci wrong-footed as he watched it squish by.  With Boxford striker Michael Collins in clear, he debated between trying to thread a pass to compatriot Paul Roscoe before electing to shoot.  DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger slid smartly, aggressively taking away any daylight before pushing the low drive aside.  The ensuring scramble saw some smart defending by Mike Robichaud clear from safety.

As was the case in the first game with Boxford, DEA couldn't gain possession long enough to mount a threat.  However, defensively DEA held strong and kept the chances at bay.

DEA broke through at the fifteen minute mark when Joao Palva linked up with Peter Cline.  These two are quickly getting in tune, and their one-two saw Cliney free in space.  Cliney's first try for Walker was blocked.  Nobody gave up on the play, as Walker continued his run and Cliney's second attempt found Walker on the right side.  His first touch was true, and he easily potted home from close range to give DEA an early lead once again.

After the goal, DEA did much better with possession and held the play for the remaining half-hour of the half.  Twice DEA looked to double the lead, but Joao's header was saved and Scott Sharby's drive sailed over the bar.

Second half play some some hard work defensively, but only sporadic forays offensively.  DEA were careful to keep players behind the ball in their cohesive defensive effort.  They needed to guard against just defending for 40 minutes.  Another goal sure would help.  Again, it was Walker.

With John Demeritt busing his arse to keep a play in bounds while still defending, he turned up the easy play of just clearing it away and held on, two defenders in tow.  Dale Dubois came over to help, and JD's short pass allowed Dale to clear.  The ensuing clearance found Sharby, who received well and saw the swimming Walker off to the right.  Leaving defenders in his wake (literally), Walker again beat the onrushing keeper to give DEA an important 2-0 lead.

Only a well-taken header by Boxford winger Chip Bankes in a rare DEA defensive breakdown with two minutes left would spoil the well-deserved shutout, but not their glee as DEA was atop the standings.

Groton, who had stormed out to a 3-0-0 record to start the season, has now gone winless in their last three including a home-and-home sweep at the hands of Wen Ham United.  DEA now is three points clear, with a superior goal differential of +10 to Groton's +4.  The division is in their hands if they just keep up their solid play.  Even more suprising is DEA currently has 0 card points through their first six games.  Unheard of.

DEA goes to Wen Ham this week.  After a rough start, Wen Ham will be a challenge as they are currently riding the longest undefeated streak in the division, going 2-0-2 in their last four.  DEA must avoid looking ahead to Groton and keep their attention focused on the Hammers.

DEA thoroughly dominated PAC Lowell, 3-0 in their Annual Mother's Day Spectacular that put them at the top of the table.

 With the stands packed with with adoring mothers, DEA put on a clinic at both ends of the pitch to run their record to 3-1-1.  Jim Walker would lead the way with two goals and assisted on another.

After a squirley opening ten minutes that saw DEA on their heels, DEA's back four of Dale Dubois, Joe Masci, Woody Harper and John Demeritt clamped down and kept possession outside.  Fifteen minutes in, DEA got the scoring started.

Mike Robichaud picked his marker clean and stormed down the left side.  Cutting to the middle, Lowell's keeper slid out as Robey fired a low drive.  The first shot was smartly saved, as well as the follow-up try.  Luck would run out as the ever present Walker dumped home the opening tally.

Five minutes later, Joao Palva glided through unfettered, but again Lowell's keeper smothered the opportunity.  DEA would take the slim lead into the locker room.  They deserved more.

It didn't take long in the second half before they doubled their advantage, this time through controversy.

Jeff Bailey's probing through ball found Jim Walker with nobody within the same zip code.  Surely he was off, just based on the sheer absurdity of it all.  As Lowell stopped, Walker ran down Bailey's feed and touched past the keeper and into the path of the unrushing Robey.  Again Lowell erupted, as Robey waltzed home to make it 2-0.

As many Lowell players swirled around the ref, old friend Corney, he correctly pointed to the left back, apparently drinking his morning coffee and unaware he was a good ten yards behind the play.

Lowell began to lose spirit, and DEA felt the freedom to find the space to try for more.   With DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger able to use the official DEA Goalkeeping Chair, DEA looked to get another. 

This time, on a restart from 19 yards out, Ed Ibanez drive was blasted into the wall.  However, Corney had blown the play dead as as Lowell defender had charged before the whistle.  On his next attempt, Ibanez slipped a through ball to Walker.  With necks on swivels, Lowell turned to find the wide open Walker in time to see him finish to the short side for the final 3-0 tally.

A comprehenisve victory, DEA goes to 3-1-1 on the year, tied atop the table with Groton with ten points.  Groton suprisingly drew with Westford, giving away the lead to DEA via a +9 to +6 goal differential.  Groton does have a makeup game with Wen Ham United midweek as part of a two-game set, so by Sunday's end they could flip-flop.

DEA travels to Boxford in a rematch of the season opening 1-1 thriller.  Boxford, after following up that game with DEA with a 3-2 victory at Westford, has gone winless in their last three games, scoring three goals in the process.  DEA, conversely, are a bad ten minute stretch away from being undefeated on the season.

DEA came out fast and furious, potting two goals in the first 15 minutes to top Westford and stay within striking distance of suprising division leaders Groton.

DEA has had a stunning lack of success at Westford, winning only 4 times in 13 trips to Jack Wash Field.  Left reeling after last week's disapointing result at Groton, DEA were determined to start quickly.

With 11 players at game time, DEA was glad to not be at their cavernous Sportsman's Field and the cool weather helped them out.  Five minutes in, they got on the board.

After Scott Sharby sprang free down the left side, his shot was pushed aside by Westford sweeper Martin Jenner for a corner kick.  John Guild sent the restart to the back post, where Jim Walker did well to knock it back into play.  Joao Palva was waiting, and after fending off a defender he fired from close range.  It took a furtuitous deflection on the way through, finding netting and getting Joao off the schnide.

Playing with confidence with the early lead, DEA was defending well as the back four saw the return of Dale Dubois and Joe Masci in the middle; Woody Harper and Chris Cloutier manned the outsides and they kept the dangerous striker Mike Sawyer under wraps.

At the 15 minute mark, DEA won another corner, this time on the right side.  This time, it was brother Jeff Guild doing the honors.  He drove his cross perfectly into the fray, where Sharby rose over the crowd to finish with a thumping header to make it 2-0.

DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger had a relatively quiet go of it in the still maturing stages of the first half, only getting called upon rarely and never tested.  His toughest test was met with ease when Luis Cruz' left-footed restart curled to the short side but 'Berg was there to smother.

With Peter Cline and Joao dominating the midfield, DEA kept the pressure on in search of a third.  In the waning moments, it looked like they found the elusive third tally when Jeff Guild launched a long cross that found Cliney eating a sandwich at the back post.  Cliney's mis-timed header trickled wide just before the half. 

Certain to avoid another lackadaisical start to the second half, DEA came out storming and kept possession in Westford's end.  Jeff Guild's throw-in was chested down by Cliney and turned in one motion.  He then ripped a left-footed half-volley to the far webbing that was a beautiful finish to give DEA a 3-0 advantage.  Typical Peter Cline...misses the bunny from a yard out then finishes off the tougher try minutes later.  It felt good to get him off his schnide as well.

DEA pressed for more.  Sensing blood, Sharby sprung John Guild down the left before it was met by the over-lapping brother Jeff.  His first touch got the better of him, with Walker and Cliney waiting in front.

Westford then picked it up a notch in the final twenty.  First, Bill Farmer shook his defender loose and found himself with space, 8 yards from goal.  Dale gave him just a nudge before Farmer clanged it off the bar.

A minute later and John Gregg was in free.  He did better with his chance and the lead was shaved to two.

Westford poured everything into the attack.  Here, 'Berg went to work with four huge saves in succession.

When Dennis Villanueva drove an overhead volley to the left post, 'Berg stymied the effort with ease that didn't do the attempt justice.

Graham Barrowman's header was smothered by 'Berg a minute later, as well as another hard hit shot by Ali Zeydou.  His best was saved for the final five minutes when Villanueva's toe-poke snuck through traffic, but 'Berg was again there to save and left no rebound to the hungry opposition.

DEA broke free for a final rush when Joao sauntered through the middle looking to pass.  After exhausting all his options, and watching defenders leave him aside, he ripped a low shot that seemed destined to the short post before the Westford keeper touched it aside.

A good win for DEA in a tough place to play.  Taking three points today will give DEA confidence as they come back home next week to take on P.A.C. Lowell.  The Pre-Season prognisticators didn't hold Lowell in high regard, but they have already proven they can be dangerous after last week's suprising 3-1 victory at FC Boxford.

Missing several key players, DEA patched together a pretty solid 80 minutes of soccer against newly promoted Groton FC.  However, those solid 80 minutes were the bookend of 10 minutes of awful play to start the second half as DEA fell, 2-1.

Playing conservatively while missing their two best defenders Joe Masci and Dale Dubois, DEA put Jeff Bailey in the backfield to help DEA's organization.  The outside backs of Paul Cote, Woody Harper, and John Demerrit all had fine games as well.  Peter Cline and Chris Cloutier manned the middle, and the plan worked pretty well in maintaining their shape.

However, the 'final ball' was lacking at times, as every promising build-up broke down 20 yards from goal.  Joao Palva and Scott Sharby were forced to retreat back to receive the ball, but weren't getting it in a position to cause a threat.  The outside midfield play of the Guild Brothers, along with Mike Robichaud, was energetic on both ends for most of the match.

Late in the first half, an open header saw left back Paul Cote head off the line.  The ensuing clearance and break found Joao 25 yards from goal.  He received well, took a turn, and was chopped to the pitch. 

Bailey took the restart, thinking 'shot' the entire time.  He sent a low screamer that whistled past the wall and just inside the post.  The keeper had a moral victory in getting a hand on it, but he was overmatched on this shot.  DEA took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The opening ten minutes was awful.  There appeared to be miscommunication...as DEA didn't seem to understand the game was actually on.  A bad first touch, coupled with a bad second touch, a poor effort to retrieve, a poorer effort to clear, and suddenly Groton was taking an open shot 20 yards from goal.  Ro Easton stepped up smartly, to defend, but his blocking attempt only caused a deflection.  Jim Eilenberger was in the process of making a smooth save harder with the change of direction.  The ensuing rebound was poked home from close range and the game was level a mere two minutes into the half.

Five minutes later, another open shot caused 'Berg to make a great save.  The rebound rattled around before a pass left a Groton player open at the left post.  While several DEA players grabbed some popcorn to watch the action (this reporter included), he touched home from a foot away and just like that...DEA was down 2-1.

Groton then set about trying to defend for the remaining 35 minutes.  DEA had their chances, not panicking and changing their play until late when they tossed everyone into the fray.

Two glittering chances were missed in the final five minutes that DEA will rue.  First, Bailey's corner kick was driven low to the front post.  Cloutier flicked it into the box, where Joao met it on a half-volley, 3 yards from goal.  It rose up on him just a tad, causing him to get underneath it and he pushed it over the bar.  DEA won possession back, and after another corner wasn't cleared Bailey found space 9 yards from goal.  He launched a scorcher that was going to the far webbing.  Instead, Cloutier was in the way and Bailey's shot bounced off his shoulder and into the keeper's hands.  Save of the match right there.....

DEA is back in action next week when they travel to Westford. 

 Currently, Groton is in the Division lead with a suprising 2-0-0 record.  Westford is second at 2-1, followed by Boxford and DEA both with 1-1-1 records.  Lowell was a suprising winner last week over Boxford, giving them their first points of the season at 1-2.  Wenham already looks to be a relagation candidate with an 0-0-2 record and a goal differential of -7

DEA put their disjointed play in their opener behind them and laid a 5-nil pasting on Wenham United to vault themselves into first place in the OTHSL MD3N standings.

After salvaging a point with some late heroics in the opener that saw some winter injuries keeping players on the shelf, news broke that DEA talisman Ed Ibanez would miss the game with a knee injury.  In a flurry of mid-week negotiations, DEA aquired the services of the multi-talented Peter Cline from the O-30's team.  The transfer deadline deal brought a buzz to the sidelines, as Cliney had been rumored to be available for some time.  His talents soon became evident

At the ten minute mark, Jeff Guild took a pass from Cliney and steamed down the right side.  Guild sent a low cross into the box, where Jeff Bailey met it at the front post.  Scott Sharby called Bailey off, and Bailey left the ball to Sharby alone in the middle.  Sharby mis-hit his shot, but the keeper misplayed it poorly and DEA took the gift and the lead, 1-0.

Five minutes later, Mike Robichaud made a nearly identical run down the left side of the pitch, and he again found Sharby at the front post.  Sharby hit his shot to the low post and by the keeper for a 2-0 lead.

With the center backfield tandem of Joe Masci and Dale Dubois having superb games, DEA kept Wenham from getting untracked.  Any attempts were from distance, albeit one testing DEA reserve keeper Chris Cloutier before he punched off the bar.  A bit of a keystone kops routine followed before John Demeritt headed clear.  Other than than frantic moment, it was a 'Lawnchair Game' for Cloutier, as he wasn't tested again.  Kudos to outside rotation of JD, Woody Harper and Rob Easton their efforts as well.

DEA looked to put it away before halftime when John Guild took a short pass from Joao Palva, pulled his patented drag back, and launched a left-footed shot over the bar.

Early in the second half, DEA got their 3-0 advantage they were searching for.  Cliney took a Jeff Guild short pass off the right side.  Seeing Dale Dubois' cock open in the middle, Cliney sent a cross right at Dale's package right in front of the goal.  Dale cocked it home from close range, hitting side webbing.  Pure classic.

DEA wasn't done as the spirit left Wenham.  They would get two more in close succession in the waning moments.  First, Bailey launched a cross into the box that Robey headed back at goal.  The poaching Jim Walker pounced on the loose ball to make it 4-0.  Jeff Guild then ran onto Dale's long pass with a minute left close out the scoring at 5-0.

DEA are on the road next week at Groton for an 8:30 start. 

GREAT WIN DEA!!

DEA looked to be heading toward losing their season opener for the third straight session before some late game heroics allowed them to escape with a 1-1 tie to Division 3 newcomer FC Boxford.

DEA was quiet in the transfer market this winter, picking up only one new player from last session's second-place squad.  Instead, they planned on a return from injury of several players.  That had mixed results.

Sniper Joao Pilva, pilfered from North Andover after scoring DEA to the tune of 4 goals in two games against DEA last session, proved to be a good pickup.  He was creative and energetic, and while he went pointless, he will be a threat this year.

Conversely, DEA saw two starters from last year either shelved or playing minimal minutes after picking up injuries on the indoor circuit.  Mike Robichaud (muscle tear) and Chris Cloutier (ankle) had little or no impact.  To make matters worse, three other starters were lost before the game was over:  Woody Harper (ankle), John Guild (groin) and Scott Sharby (left to go to the hospital to be stitched up), leaving only one available player on the bench by the end of the game.

With the early start due to a field change to accomodate the winter snows, first choice DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger was a late arrival.  Cloutier hopped in net, and promptly lost his first shot in the sun before hearing it clang off the bar and settle out of harm's way.

'Berg rode to the rescue after a few minutes of uneventful action, and was promptly called upon to make a huge save when Boxford was put through clean.  'Berg slid low, cutting the angle down, before swallowing the shot and allowing no rebound.  Welcome to the game.

Joao jinked through the middle unmarked, took an Ed Ibanz pass, and poked a low shot past the Boxford keeper before being blocked by the unforgiving post.

Joe Masci came across the field to mop up a mismatch, smartly clearing away one opportunity mid-way through.  His play, along with that of DEA Chieftan Dale Dubois, were responsible for thwarting Boxford throughout the day.

Halftime saw a 0-0 game, and the talk in the pressbox was that Boxford held the better of the play.  DEA couldn't consistently attack, instead being forced to defend and counter.  Risky, but effective as they were still in the game.

Five minutes into the second half, Sharby went down after clanging heads inside the box with a nasty cut over his left eye.  He would leave for the hospital to go under the needle.

Ten minutes later, Boxford was sprung free  on a player that appeared to be offside.  He forced 'Berg low before pushing home from 12 yards to put Boxford in front.

'Berg was called upon three more times before DEA finally began to wear down Boxford.  Boxford attacked with only 1-2 players, at times not even with that, as they put everyone behind the ball and tried to hang on.

Jeff Bailey range one off the bar after schooling his defender on the left.  Then, with under a minute left, DEA finally caught a break and was awarded a restart just outside the area on the right side.  Ibanez shipped into the box, where Bailey flicked to the back post.  The ball rattled around, with several players on each side having a whack at it before last session's leading scorer Jim Walker pounced on the loose ball and finished from close range.

The final whistle would blow a few seconds later, allowing DEA to get a point.  Boxford, new to the division, leads to be a formidable challenger to the top spot.

DEA is off next week for Easter, and will be back at home in two weeks against Wenham (Ipswich) United.