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After a disappointing exit in the Roy Bailey cup last week, The Geese knew they had to show ‘Bouncebackability’ in the last sixty-four of the Junior County Cup, today’s visitors were Skew Bridge. Adamo Castiglione was recalled to the starting eleven after Chris Cedrone tweaked a muscle in his back in training and was named as a substitute. A kit clash meant that our visitors had to change their strips, however not being able to produce one, Tony Vullo worked his magic and showed the generosity of the Geese, by lending them one machined by his mum the night before. One problem was that the blue colour shirts lent to Skew Bridge clashed with Rob Cully's goalie top. The Referee forced Rob to change his top opting for a multi-coloured creation, his idol Bob Ross would be proud of. (let’s add a couple of trees in there)
The geese started purposely, working at a high tempo and finding the majority of neat passes. The ball was being worked up towards the front two efficiently, however the poor playing surface was mud-ridden, and despite council man Rob Cully prioritizing our pitches grass-cutting, it was only going to get worse. As the Geese pushed forward Paul Dodd carved out a chance from a ball in from the right, turning a defender only for the Skew Bridge keeper to save from point blank range, tipping the ball wide for a corner. Just as things were looking positive, a throw from the right touchline saw Skew Bridge play a diagonal ball over the top, finding the last man on the back post who volleyed in a well-taken goal from close range. With ten minutes gone the Geese found themselves 0-1 down.
But it was a game the Geese felt they could win. The conceded goal kick started the team into gear, knowing that finishing chances was now essential. A ball into Craig Norris in the area saw him flick the ball (Kanu style) over one defender’s head and strike the ball at goal, but once again the keeper was equal to it. As pressure mounted a corner from the left was swung in and headed in by captain Neal Dodd for the equaliser, as he says himself he really is ‘deadly from four yards”. Silly fouls saw the geese take advantage of dead ball situations. A free kick just in the opposing half was cleverly drilled in by Neal Dodd, as the back four misread the cross, Craig Norris tapped home for his sixth of the season. But by no means were Skew Bridge out of the game; they were proving resilient, using a three-man midfield to break up play.
As they forced a corner kick, Rob Cully’s dedication to ‘incidents in football matches’ seemed to take over his body; he fell to the floor, and tried to Jens Lehmann his way into the minds of the Skew Bridge attack. Mid way through the half confidence grew, as the Geese looked for a third, Tony Vullo picked a ball out of the sky and stopped it dead. It would have been treasured in a game of ‘how’s ya touch’. As a Skew Bridge attack was broken down by Peter Enefer on the half way line, he strongly closed the ball down twice more, allowing himself a free run at goal, as he drifted to the right, the keeper went to ground, Peter (pressing L1 + ) saw his delicate little chip, trickle its way over the line.
As Skew Bridge attempted to mount another come back, tempers began to flare. Matt Cully was clearly stamped on after making a strong challenge. Close to the action lurked Uncle Nick, who done well to control the picture written on in his expression, 1-0 to the beret. Angry brother Rob was quick to react leaving his posts quicker than the recent spread of bird flu, but the same calming powers helped slow him down and return to his goal, 2-0 to the beret. The referee didn’t want to know, and as the foul was not dealt with, the remainder of the first half became reckless. Tackles sliding in from both sides meant the football being played by the Geese in the first thirty minutes were lost through stupidity.
Although the Geese went in 3-1 up, no one wanted a repeat of last week, especially after a great midweek consisting of outings organised by everyone’s parental Guardian, Neal Dodd. Instead of discussing the plans of the half yet to come, Paul Cully was fired up, his team talk was motivating to say the least, he wanted the Geese to calm down and control the game again. But with it came passion, a manager’s passion, and passion fruit.
As the second half began, The Geese took on board Paul Cully’s advice of letting the ball do the work, and the football do the talking. Clearly our opponents had other ideas, still content with kicking lumps, and clearly frustrated by the Turnford’s control of the game. Yet another foul was committed on Paul Dodd, idiocy took over, No 4 smashed the ball as far as he could, and the game was temporarily stopped whilst a) the Geese and fans laughed/jeered b) No4 sulked c) The Skew Bridge goalkeeper went to retrieve the ball d) The Skew Bridge goalkeeper waited for a bus to get back, returning with the ball e) The guilty player was booked. At this stage it was clear that the majority of Skew Bridge players were not as interested in playing as when they were 1-0 ahead. So manager Paul Cully took this chance to bring on Chris Wicks up front, something that has been tried on the training ground with great effect. Steve Adamson was the player to make way, Craig Norris slotting in at centre half.
The introduction of Wicks looked promising, within minutes he was involved, unlucky not to make more of a ball played over the top to him and had a claim for a penalty turned down. But like in recent weeks, attempts to shake off his dreaded hamstring injury failed. He had to come off. Chris Cedrone this time brought on. Brett Norris pushed up front and Cedrone was asked to feather along the wing. The Geese continued to dominate, Matt Cully’s clay pigeon throws, causing problems down the left, and forcing corners galore. A corner whipped in towards the keeper, wasn’t dealt with, allowing Neal Dodd to blast home on the goal line for his second. The smile on his face was seen again that afternoon, when Graham Dodd’s legendary Burnley scratch card scam paid off for him.
Even though the referee had his own weird style, he hadn’t made too many bad decisions, well, that was until he mistook Cedrone for a malicious goalkeeper basher. The incident saw Enefer’s pass just too long for Cedrone who merely slipped into the theatrical keeper, jumping to the ground and spurring Skew Bridges rioters to make a scene. The referee showed his weakness, he responded to the “make believe fuss” and made Cedrone the second goose to appear in the “Bad Boys” table and also wrote the following equation in his book (Herts FA existing balance + £8). The Geese pushed for a fifth when Matt Cully went close with a stinger across goal; once again the Skew Bridge keeper was able to get a glove to it, showing great form. Also Polar bear No10 was causing problems, passing the ball around well and having an overall good game.
But No4 still hadn’t learnt from his earlier booking, when retrieving the ball to take a throw, he then kicked a Turnford training ball away, and insulted somebody’s mum they same way kids do in playgrounds. Dan Chandler went medieval, taking a Grant Mitchell view on proceedings. As the throw was taken No4 then rushed into the mix of things and with no attempt to play the ball, swiped a leg, up-ending Andy Perry. As the ref sent him off (second booking), the game stopped again for the surrounding players to pick up the toys and place them back into his pram softly, but he threw them out. Again. Along with his shirt (bespoke Rose Vullo) which he flung to the floor, spat at it and insulted another Turnford player by referring to his mother and the night before.
But despite all that, the Geese retaliated through playing good football, Tony Vullo was now offering back-heels in the showboat section (One pound back), and Ad Cas, (fueled on a mixture of old peoples complan and Red Bull) not content with tackling one player, decided it was more effective to take two at a time. A last substitution saw Brett Norris replaced by the butcher, who was on a seek and
Destroy mission. With his first touch he held up the ball (and the defender behind him), Andy Perry burst forward with the lay off from Craig, and as his shot was parried by the keeper, Paul Dodd was there to continue his goal in every game record, making it 5-1 at the final whistle.
Pino Packer spoke to Paul Cully as the game finished. “Yeh, I’m proud of my players, it was tough for them to stay focused today, we went through a bad stage at the end of the first, but we took control again. It was a great performance, and it was pleasing to show good temperament in front of special guest Fred Beer. We made lots of chances today, from all different types of play; all credit to their keeper though, he had a blinder. Good performances today though from Neal Dodd, solid as ever, and Ad Cas, who made so many important tackles. Oh it just walked out in front of me, yeh just walked out. Couldn’t stop quickly enough, gave the ticker a bit of a shock, but that’s Jury service eh? Dear o Deer, how do you feel? Would have broken its legs, in Rob’s Council-mobil”.
Ratings - R Cully 7, A Castiglione 9, S Adamson 7, N Dodd 9, T Vullo 7 (C Wicks 6) (C Cedrone 7), M Cully 8, P Enefer 8, A Perry 7, B Norris 7 (C Belsey 7), C Norris 8, P Dodd 8. Subs not used - D Perry, M Belsey
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