Front Row L to R:  Joao AC Paiva, Mike Robichaud, Brendan Gilmartin, Jim Eilenberger, John "JD" Demeritt, Chris Florek,  Back Row L to R: Peter Cline, Joe Masci, Curtis Harper, Woody Harper, Chris Cloutier, Jim Walker, Dale Dubois

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Welcome to TWELVE time Division Champion's, DEA Bedford Soccer Club home page. DEA Bedford Soccer Club is a very talented mens team that competes in the NHSC and in the NEOTHSL Masters division.  The core of the team has been together for longer than anyone can seem to remember (but we are working on that). The team has captured many championships in the NHSC and in the NEOTHSL dating back to the early 80's.  

Our home field is Joppa Hill Field in Bedford, NH. Come see a game...

Thanks For Visiting and Please Sign our Guestbook. 

DEA, with nothing to gain, or lose, scrapped together a 10-man squad to play Danvers to close out their season.  The game meant nothing to DEA, as they were already assured of avoiding relegation, and playoffs were out of the picture.  However, the game meant everything to both Marblehead and Danvers.  If DEA won, Danvers would be sent down.  If DEA lost, Marblehead would be sent down.

League rules, along with a mandate from the league President, dictated that teams are to play out their season, especially when playoffs and relegation are on the line.  Suprising that it actually has to be stated, but nonetheless, the league put it out there clearly for all clubs to follow. 

DEA did their part, and gave it their all.  In the end, an early PK and an injured p*nis tip did them in, as Danvers beat DEA, 4-0.  Marblehead will be replaced by North Shore Rovers for the upcoming Spring 2012 season.

Soccer can be a fickle game sometimes.  This morning's emotional victory by DEA proved that, and then some.

DEA was forced to forfeit their make-up game vs. Marblehead -- which was originally cancelled due to Hurricane Irene, and then the make-up was rescheduled shortly after the Snowtober event that buried the Northeast.  As a result, DEA was three points clear of Marblehead, but still held the tie-breaker in head-to-head competition.  A loss by DEA could prove a sticky situation; a win would almost virtually ensure they remained in D1.  They surely made the fans sweath this one out until the final whistle.

Winchester had an outside chance at a playoff spot, needing to win out and also get a bit of help out of the Southern and/or Central divisions.  They showed with 9 players to start, DEA had a full compliment of players.  Bookmakers quickly tried to reset the odds just before kick-off, as DEA was slotted as half-goal favorites.  Seeing the short attendees for Winchester, the line was reset and DEA was giving away two goals by the opening touch.  Whatever bets the bookies took did not end up panning out in the end.

As is often the case when playing a squad that is down a man, DEA had a lethargic start.  Winchester played it perfectly, looking to secure an early lead and then try to defend.  The got the strike at the five-minute mark after DEA poorly played out of the back.  Winchester quickly countered, and after Sal Chnoiy slotted a cross, Jorge Gonzalez punched home unmarked to put Winchester up, 1-0.

DEA then knew they would need at least two goals now to give them their rewards.  While lacking a sense of urgency overall, they were creating chances just by outnumbering them.  However, their final touch was left wanting.

Scott Sharby missed a sitter from a yard out, latching onto Ian Wallington's cross before pushing his half-volley meakly over the bar.

Chris Laberge thumped a header that careened off the bar, and the scramble saw Winchester's fill-in keeper save nicely off the foot of Joao Palva.

Second half saw DEA start again slowly, and they were punished for it.  Winchester was content to defend and counter, trying to spring the ever-dangerous John Dumbaya when allowed.  Dumbaya got free once, before Jim Eillenberger saved nicely to the short post.  Dumbaya broke free again moments later, and after rounding 'Berg he was set to touch into the open goal.  Chris Florek, in a moment of instinct, hauled Dumbaya down in the box.  He was rewarded a red card for his textbook tackle, and Chnoiy potted the ensuing PK.

A few minutes later, a late arrival showed for Winchester, so it was down to 10 v 10 as DEA needed to climb back in the match.

Second half saw Winchester defending bravely, but DEA continuing to keep the pressure on.  Laberge found himself in free.  He had enough time to take his touch, survey the gaping frame, and cleanly beat the keeper.  Unbelievably, defender Walter Masucci flailed across the net and cleared from the line.

Sharby then took a short feed, and rifled a low shot that took a deflection.  Again, the fill-in keeper saved well, keeping his shutout in tact.  As the game cleared the 75-minute mark, it began to get comical.  Winchester and DEA players alike could only laugh at the chances DEA had, but still the netting remained untouched.

Once again, Wallington crossed into the middle, where it found it's way to Sharby off the back post.  He slammed hard off the bar (their fifth woodworking event of the day).  In a moment of well earned good luck, however, the rebound came back to Sharby and he slipped home to get DEA on the board.  The clock had just cleared the 80th minute.

Five minutes later, Palva was hacked down just clear of the area.  His beautifully taken restart got up and down over the wall, just under the bar and DEA were back to level.  One point was nice.  They smelled blood, and were determined to not go level.

Instead, Dumbaya once again broke clear.  And, again, it was 'Berg who forced hs angle wide before Dumbaya found the outside webbing.

With under three minutes left, DEA finally got the lead.  Sharby sprang Laberge down the left flank.  Laberge beat his man and stormed in from the left.  His low cross found Jim Walker, making a sandwhich at the back post.  Walker cooly slotted home and DEA was now up, 3-2.  The crowd roared.

DEA saw the game out and took all three points.  Both sides were impressed with the other.  Winchester showed, in November, after a long ride, and almost took a smash-and-grab, soul-crushing victory.  The earned total respect from DEA.  Conversely, Winchester was just as impressed with DEA's resiliancy...never faltering and proving that you keep playing.  As bad as it seems...just keep playing.

While the league directors sort out how to play the last make-up games, DEA now sit on 10 points, Marblehead on 7 (after upsetting faltering Danvers, 3-1).  Danvers is now in the zone, with 5 points (due to their 15 accumulated card points to date).  Marblehead has a make-up with Andover (still trying to sneak into the playoffs) and DEA has a date with Danvers still to play.  DEA now sits on 9 card points, so all they have to do, if forced to play the make-up w/ Danvers, is just not get a card.  Should that happen, they would need to beat or tie Danvers.  Another scenario would be if Marblehead loses to Andover, this would allow DEA to remain secure no matter the outcome.  Said differently, it would be just about impossible to be relagated at this point.

Great heart, great win!!  Overall, a very good season for DEA.  They, legitimately, could have 8 wins on the year.  They battled through 4 games where that were decided by one goal or less.  Only Hollis showed they were the better team.  DEA can be proud of the season, with the coup de grace the emotional final ten minutes today.

DEA, in desperate need of a win to keep them safe above the relegation zone, couldn't muster any points as Andover escaped with a 2-1 victory at SNHU.  Their second-consecutive loss drops DEA to 2-4-1 on the season, but still six points clear of bottom dwellers Maaahblehead.

The chilly, autumn morning was perfect to play.  The slick SNHU turf allowed for some fast movement, and the spacious dimensions saw plenty of open space.  DEA showed with a deep bench, very deep, with 19 players suited up and ready to play.  That proved to be troublesome.

DEA controlled the opening minutes, trying to bring play slowly through the middle and spreading it out to the open flanks.  It was successful, with most of the action in their offensive third, however there was a lack of danger to the attck.

Andover would be the first to break the seal, however, off a quick counter.  In a play the resulted from nothing, a harmless cross filtered through a crowd and found Thomas Ringler storming toward the backpost.  Thomas got up and volleyed the cross in off the post to give Andover a 1-0 lead.

Fifteen minutes from the break, Kevin Bell (making his DEA debut) sprang Jim Walker down the right flank.  Walker steamed toward goal one-on-one, only to see Andover keeper Brian Cronin parry his shot out danger with a fine save.

DEA felt good about themselves at the break.  They were playing fine, and surely their possession would result in a chance eventually.  Instead, Andover would be the one to find netting again with just over 5 minutes into the half.

After DEA was slow to step up to corral a wayward clearance, Thomas broke free again.  This time, his pace allowed him to run clear on goal, where he cooley finished past DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger to give Andover a 2-0 advantage.

DEA then began to break down into a serious of squabbles, with some players looking to play one way; some another; and nobody playing together.  The deep bench was causing continuity issues as well.  The result was ten minutes of sewing-circle activity...

However, at the 60 minute mark, DEA finally got on the board.  After two chances to shoot were squandered, a loose ball found it's way to Scott Sharby.  Sharby is never one to pass up an open look, and he lashed a hard drive past Cronin to put DEA on the board.

Incredibly, the b*tching actually increased after DEA scored.  It carried on for much of the half, while in parallel DEA searched for he equalizer. 

They would squander so many chances, one couldn't possibly capture them all.  Walker met a volley at the back post, only to see Cronin get a finger on it before it ticked off the woodwork; Joao Palva nodded wide; Walker put a header over the bar; Chris Laberge missed a wide open half-volley from three yards out; another massive scramble saw a shot saved off the line as several pokes found no glory.

The OTHSL Masters D1N standings have a clear leader (unblemished Hollis) and the previously mentioned trailers (Maahblehead), the rest were bunched together before today four points apart.  DEA would be left to stew in their missed opportunity to climb into the playoff picture, and instead find themselves closer to teh bottom than they are to any tournament discussions.  One win in their final three games, or one loss by Maaahblead (who are winless so far) should be enough for DEA to avoid any relegation talk.  Which is frustrating, as they have played 7 pretty evenly matched games so far, but only have two wins to show for it..

DEA takes on reeling Danvers next week, who they are level with.  Danvers has already accumulated 11 card points and are coming off a 6-1 drubbing to Winchester.

The talentd Hollis squad went toe-to-toe w/ DEA for a while on Sunday, before finally petering out as DEA held on for the win.

Buoyed by the excellent grill work by Curtis Harper, the barbeque chicken legs were just the added touch needed to counteract the effects of the Magic Cooler.  Curtis worked the chicken well, grilling to a nice crispy touch and keeping the meat nice and juicy.  If it weren't for the windblown napkins, he would've had a perfect score.

With Hollis hanging tight, with Krueger intent on messing up DEA's record, the sheer numbers of the DEA attack wore them down.  When things looked like it would get dicey there, the Magic Cooler kicked and and another 18-pack materialized, on ice.  The 8th Wonder of the World.

As the kids' tournament starting to show, DEA packed it up and headed home to attend to their familial chores. 

Oh, it should be mentioned, the first two halves didn't go quite as well, as Hollis weathered DEA's very strong first 30 minutes before pulling away to a 4-1 victory.

What's got into DEA?  After barely escaping relegation the last two sessions, they have lost only once in the last month, and should've won that game.  Take away the OG situation, and DEA could be staring a 4-1 record in the face and knocking on the playoff door.  As it is, they put in their second straight very impressive performance in all facets of the game in a dominating 4-0 thrashing over spiraling Marblehead.

Again, DEA started smartly and fluidly knocking the ball around the expansive Joppa Hill pitch.  Marblehead was penned in their own zone, unable to escape the pressure as DEA looked to start the scoring before the crowd was settled.

However, in a brief moment of respite, Marblehead broke free on a counter.  Dimos Bikos lashed a sharp drive at goal, but DEA keeper Chris Cloutier shuffled to his left and parried it free.  The wake-up call was necessary, as it allowed DEA to not sit around and instead to keep attacking.

Rich Polowsky latched onto Levi DaSilva's pass and broke in clean.  He was dumped to the turf, where the ref made no mistake in pointing to the spot.  Scott Sharby stepped up, and confidently slammed home to put DEA up, 1-0. 

DEA doubled the lead moments later off a smartly played short corner.  Jon Cloutier stepped up to receive from outside the 18, and sent a dangerous ball in front of the goal.  Jim Walker met it on the half-volley, and his one-timed redirect gave DEA a 2-0 lead with 15 minutes left in the half.

Walker almost had another just ahead of the break, taking DaSilva's through ball and rounding Marlbhead keeper Steve White before hitting the post.

DEA looked to come up flying and had intentions of putting this away early.  Instead, it was Marblehead who looked more dangerous.  Cloutier was again up to the task, however, when Eric Paquette was free from 12 yards out.  Paquette's driven shot was punched away from Cloutier, maintaining the cushion they worked so hard to build.  Sometimes it's not the number of the saves, it's the timing.  Giving up a goal to start the half could've been tough to overcome.

DEA broke Marblehead's back several minutes later off some artistic play in traffic.  Joao Palva worked a neat one-two with Walker, finishing off from close range to make it 3-0.

Sharby netted his second by heading home Jim Young's corner at the 75th minute.

One keystone cops moment was left, when Paquette's redirect off a corner beat a screened Cloutier, but Woody Harper held his post, and squirreled it away.

Kudos to the back quintet of Harper, Dale Dubois, Jon Cloutier, John Demeritt and Chris Florek for keeping the dangerous Marblehead attack at bay.  Ian Wallington, Powlowsky, and Ed Ibanez had quality matches in the midfield as well.

DEA looks to get back at table leaders Hollis next week. 

Postives and negatives from this morning's match with Winchester, who sits one point ahead of DEA in the standings.  DEA played well, really well, and fully deserved all three points on the road.  The negatives, their inability to contain the dangerous striker, OG, repeated his magic from last week and snatched two points away from DEA.

DEA started out flying on the swampy Winchester pitch.  The opening five minutes saw DEA fully dominating, keeping Winchester penned in their own zone while DEA swirled about.  They would have no less than six glorious chances in the opening minutes, the best when Easy Eddie Ibanez smashed drive off the bar. 

Winchester gave up possession readily in the opening minutes, so they were content to try to attack via the counter.  They almost broke through on five minutes when Igor Splawsky blew some vodka fumes and rattled a low shot on frame.  DEA keeper Chris Cloutier parried it off the post, which the resulting rebound bounded off his face and settled wide.  The scary moment assured DEA that Winchester was not going to sit this one completely out. 

More dominance by DEA ensued, but not quite as clear as previously.  Winchester then went ahead on 15 minutes with a nicely taken restart 20 yards from goal.  Roy Gomes' shot cleared the wall and settled out of Cloutier's reach.  DEA deserved the lead, but Winchester was all to ready to cash in.

DEA again started out the second half playing well.  Newbie Ian Wallingford played the roll of the mudder, creating havoc on the right side and the Winchester defenders on their heels.  However, as the game neared the 70th minute, it was looking like DEA wouldn't truley regret not taking advantage when they could.

Cloutier parried Kazelyn Levon's shot over the bar to keep it a one-goal game.  Two minutes later, they were level. 

Wallingford took a Joao Palva feed on the right, and sent a cross toward the puddles.  Gary Larusso opened his DEA account as the skittering cross skimmed toward him, where he finished from close range.

Five minutes later, Ibanez settled off a scramble from a corner.  He found Joe Masci, who allowed the ball to settle in the puddle nicely before smashing from 8 yards out.  DEA had a well-deserved lead, and needed to see this out for the last 5 minutes.

Instead, there was more OG magic on the menu for DEA.  One week after OG went down to head home a low cross to give Danvers the win, this time he rose magestically in traffic to thump home a header to the upper ninety as Winchester stole two points from DEA.

DEA is back next week against Marblehead.  Folks...keep playing just as we did today, and we will be fine.

Moving to a better pitch didn't solve DEA's home woes, as they let a lead slip away to last year's D1 Champions, Danvers, in a 4-3 defeat.

Danvers started the better team, keeping DEA pinned in their own zone and forcing temporary DEA keeper Chris Cloutier into a series of acrobatic saves.  Danvers took the lead on the 20 minute mark when their dangerous striker, Marcos Elias Gomes Pechim took a header that was laid off from Marcio Melo, and calmly pushed home from close range.

DEA tied it five minutes later when Flo's corner kick was driven through the box, where Levi DaSilva headed home from close range.

Danvers took a lead into the half when Betinho Moniz, also known as Fvckin DoucheBag, hammered home from the top of the box to make it 2-1.

 DEA came out flying in the second half, and quickly took the lead.  First, Mike Robichaud found the far webbing from distance to level.  Minutes later, Jim Walker laid across the area where Scott Sharby sliced home a low drive to give DEA their first lead.

FDB then goaded DEA into a red card, falling to the pitch and writhing in pain from what appeared to be a waterboarding while waiting for a corner kick.  He came to, in a near miraculous display of pure human perserverance and recovery that surely must've had devine intervention.  He was awarded a yellow for his girly display.  DEA was showed the red, and had to defend the rest of the match down a man.

Danvers levelled soon after, and again it was Marcos firing from in close.  An own goal would cost DEA, falling behind for the third time today.

Flo almost levelled late, his low shot finding woodwork and DEA was forced to rue dropping the points today they surely deserved.

Winchester next week.  Keep our heads, folks, and let's get 3 imporant points.

DEA got ontracked today, with a thrilling end-to-end affair that brought the sell-out crowd at the Wood Middle School out of their seats before finishing off Andover Green with some late (Inser player here) magic. 

Andover had been giving them fits since DEA toppled them in the finals of D-II.  Since that time, DEA was winless, losing in both heartbreaking fashion (giving up late winners) and also getting trounced (6-0 last year).  Today, DEA got a little measure of revenge, even though they left it late before finally finishing Andover off.

Andover took the play to DEA in the opening minutes, and even winning a spot kick at the 7 minute mark.  The restart was poorly taken by John Fury, however, as he scuffed his shot well wide.  DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger looked to have it covered if it was on frame, however.

After getting into the flow of the game, DEA held the better of the play for most of the remaining first half.  They broke through with a bit of luck, but it was the result of some fine play and effort.

Rich Polowsky slipped Scott Sharby down the left side.  Sharby, who was a handful to mark for Andover for much of the morning, beat his marker and skirted along the touchline.  Spotting some open white jerseys at the back post, Sharby rifled a fine cross into a dangerous area.  Andover's keeper tried to punch clear, but he was too deep in the net and only managed to punch it into the webbing for a 1-0 DEA lead.

With their confidence growing, DEA looked for some insurance.  They got it with a similar build-up, again it was Sharby crossing to the back post.  Somehow, his cross filtered through several bodies and found Jim Walker waiting.  It bounded high, and for a moment looked to eat Walker up.  He managed to get a foot onto it and pushed it to the side webbing to give DEA a 2-0 lead.

Minutes later, 'Berg came up with two saves back-to-back to keep his sheet clean.  First, Jim Saalfrank unleashed a low screaming drive that 'Berg punched clear.  He spilled the rebound, however, and Don Borenstein pounced on it.  'Berg dove to smother the ensuing follow-up.  DEA went into the clubhouse with the 2-0 lead.

Andover came out flying, and soon reaped the rewards of their improved effort.  After keeping DEA pinned in their own zone, Mike O'Conner found Saalfrank with a bit of open space inside the box.  He turned quickly, and his drive snaked through to make it 2-1.

At the 60 minute mark, DEA was dealt was looked like a fatal blow when someone picked up his second yellow, and a resulting red card.  Basically, he was being punished for being stronger than the other guy.  The result, however, was that DEA would have to hang onto a slim lead being down a man.  Andover took less than five minutes to bring the match level.

A cross was lofted into the box, where 'Berg had a bead on it.  He reached up to corral it, but with heavy traffic around him it slipped from his hands.  Borenstein pounced on the loose ball, and found the unoccupied net to bring it to 2-2.

Suddenly, DEA looked to try to hang on for a point for 25 minutes, when not long ago they were dreaming of three vital road points.  How would they respond?

Well, after surving another ten minute lack of possession, DEA started to take the play to Andover again.  Mike Robichaud locked down Thomas Ringler, the ever dangerous pacey winger.  Walker got free on more than one occasion, and managed to create some uncertainy along Andover's back line.  With the play now in Andover's end, they held it there and looked for the winner.

Peter Cline was molested about 25 yards from goal.  (A Player to be Named Later) sized up the opportunity, and his beautifully struck restart found the upper ninety.  Andover's keeper read it well enough, but Eddie's placement was perfect, and ultimately he had no chance.  DEA had regained their 3-2 lead with just under four minutes to play.

They saw the play out, and took the well-deserved three points.  They also subdued a tricky 3rd half effort to take those points as well.

Overall, a very good effort for a team that really needed a confidence boost. 

DEA has Danvers on the docket next week.  Danvers, last season's Winners, look to be a team in turmoil and DEA is looking to keep their momentum going.  ***PLEASE NOTE:  The match, and remaining matches, have been moved to Joppa Hill Field.  This is one of the finest pitches in all of OTHSL!!!