Match Reports 2

Today the Geese embarked on their junior league cup campaign, the completion consisting of teams from divisions four, five and six. The first round saw us drawn away against fellow division six side, Dynamo cross. For the fourth consecutive week the starting line up was forced to change. Chris Cedrone failed to shake off his ankle injury, but was replaced by Martin Belsey who had recovered from his. Andy Perry’s calf injury forced him to the bench, being replaced by Chris Wicks who recovered from a pulled hamstring.

The Geese started slowly, not being able to keep possession and showing a lack of composure. Adamo kicking air to get his ride in the taxi early on. With no real game plan the Geese were failing to find the easy ball, instead using longer balls against a wall of full-grown men. A dubious free kick on the edge of the goose box was bent around the wall and into the bottom corner; Danny Dan (with stitched up bum flap) was unable to palm it away. He told Pino Packer “I got a glove to it, but my mitts ain’t shovels” 1-0 down.

The conceded goal sprung the Geese into the game knowing they were capable of better things. No disrespect to Dynamo Cross who started the game brightly and deserved their lead. To make matters worse, Chris Wicks tweaked his hamstring and had to be replaced by Tony Vullo the eager Sicilian beaver. This substitution seemed to inspire the Geese, Vullo's first involvement saw him bring the ball down at left back and slot an inch perfect pass to Paul Dodd who finished comfortably. The roars of “VULLO, VULLO” were heard by the shepherds on Mount Etna, they have an empty seat in every house for their beloved son.

Turnford looked around and knew that their easy football would win them the game if they could carry on. The Geese rode the waves. A quick roll out to Neal Dodd from Danny Dan turned defence into attack, Neal then picked out a short pass to Matt Cully who dribbled up the line. Cully put through to Paul Dodd who’s perfect flicked touch (reminiscent of Michael Owen vs Argentina) into his stride and found the inside of the far post to put the gaggle in front. The crowd were certainly in good spirits, another Dodd strike just over saw Tony Perry let out a yelp even though everyone else could see it was never going in. Constant pressure forced a corner, Matt Cully again delivering a wonderful corner for wee-Musk to rise like a salmon and bullet header into the top corner. He showed his appreciation to Cully for the assist and put last weeks missed header behind him. 3-1 at half time. Paul Cully praised the performance, but just advised the boys use both wings and to play it easy, easy like Sunday morning.

Second half the Geese looked in control, having the greater share of chances. Martin Belsey came close with a sweet long shot; Brett Norris had a hatful of close long range efforts, and the best move of the game saw Musk through and hit a narrow angled shot across goal, clipping the outside of the far post. The Geese nearly had more injury worries when Paul Dodd went down holding his shoulder, luckily enough he was able to put the dislocation back in himself and carry on. Tired legs enforced changes. Craig “Butcher” Belsey replaced Adamo (who slid more than his new patio doors) and Matt Cully made way for Andy Perry. The crowd felt the game had more to offer, and they weren’t wrong.

With ten minutes to go Paul Dodd’s hassling forced a mistake from the defender who slotted in his third and rounded off his hat trick and his tireless performance. 4-1 up the gaggle were already ordering their rounds at the bar. A late attack from Dynamo Cross crept through the two layers of defence and dribbled round Danny Dan for a consolation. He wishes he’d never sewn up that goddamn bum flap. Pino Packer caught up with him again “I got a glove to it, but my mitts ain’t shovels”. The game was over and sprits were high, the game was played in a fair competitive manner, the referee not producing any cards and controlling the game well. A real nice guy, pen-pal material.

Paul Cully’s interview with Pino Packer was full of admiration for his team “Well we’re through and that’s the main aim in cup football. I’m pleased for Paul Dodd too, he puts the work in on the training pitch and today it paid off. Adamson was a rock, but today for me Jimmy was outstanding. Full marks. I want this cup, every manager does. I want this cup more than I wanted that wicket back in my bowling days, ivory tusk, shaven Musk”.

Sunday was a top of the table clash as the Geese took on unbeaten A.C Enfield who also happen to be Division Six new boys. Going into the game the Geese had great respect for their opposition; the game plan suggesting that Enfield were to be the toughest game so far. Conversely the feeling amongst the Gaggle was positive - Lionel Ritchie offered his aid to calm the nerves before the stereo blasted the soundtrack of Hasselhoffs inflated bloater, allowing players to get in the zone.

The Geese welcomed Neal Dodd to make his debut, being handed the captains armband by Adamo Castiglione who was chosen to lead the way the week before.
Neal replaced Tony Vullo at left back, whilst Paul Dodd’s return up front coincided with an injury to Martin Belsey which resulted in a re-shuffled midfield. Chris Cedrone and Andy Perry just passed late fitness tests.

In previous weeks the Geese were slow to start but today they were blazing. The passing was short and precise, but the one major difference was the speed at which the opposition were closed down all over the park. Enfield were given no time on the ball and The Geese pressed most of the play in their attacking third. Ten minutes into the game the Geese forced a throw towards the by-line, a heavy pressed box saw Matt Cully throw long to Paul Dodd at the Near post to head home, a wonderful move fresh from the training ground. The Geese relished there lead continuing to make chances, a series of passing led to a through ball that favoured the keeper, however Dodd’s pace allowed him to get in between and slot home into the bottom right. A chorus of Geese, Geese, Geese echoed across the pitch and to the sideline support who obliged in singing in full voice.

At 2-0 the Geese deserved their lead, it was only when a wonderfully crafted turn and shot by Brett Norris hit the bar, a sign that suggested all was not to be as first thought. The Ghost of Adam Gilchrist haunted the players, exorcising mouths to recite phrases from the beneath the ashes. Unlucky not to get a third the early pressure from the Geese seemed to ease off. Enfield capitalized on this showing why they have won their first two games of the season comfortably. As Enfield pressed, a throw in a similar position to the Geese’s first goal saw a turn and shot scramble past Danny Dan to pull one back. Unfortunately Dan’s view was blocked by the entire cast of wind in the willows who live inside his maimed goalkeeping trousers.

2-1 at half time and a pleasing scoreline, but the fans could see certain individuals were struggling for fitness, although Paul Cully was to name an unchanged side in the second half he was to keep a close eye on the players in question. The Geese new the opening minutes were crucial and that the longer they kept their lead, they would have chances to put the game beyond Enfield, but within minutes of the re-start the visitors snatched a well taken equaliser.

With A.C’s goal came extra confidence, working the Geese harder and creating a string of attacks. Ten minutes in, a reoccurrence of Chris Cedrone’s ankle injury forced him to leave the field, Tony Vullo introduced as left back, Cully filling the right hand side void. Inevitably constant pressure saw Enfield claim a third, Danny Dan spilling the war milk offered by his fellow soldiers, 3-2, the Geese behind for the first time in the season, the Geese-mobil had a puncture.

As the last fifteen minutes approached the Geese began to grow and believe, Enfield were settling for the narrow lead, being forced back and inviting pressure. The Geese went close with a Paul Dodd strike just missing the far post, and a Jimmy header just Musked over the bar, Cara’s whiskers away. At this point it wasn’t going to happen, The Geese were throwing everything, especially a barrage of Matt Cully throws causing problems at the back. With two minutes to go a last effort from Cully panzered a Steffan Freund style launch flicked on and headed home from hero Craig Norris, pleasing the crowd with an off-road celebration, making the Geese pile up on a grass mound. 3-3 the Geese rescued a draw which seemed as good as a victory.

Touchline reporter Pino Packer caught up with manager Paul Cully

“Whats that? The smile on my face? Well you couldn’t write a script like that could you. I’m delighted for the lads, they worked hard to grind that out, and deserved a point at least. We had a messy twenty minutes at the start of the second half, but we got through that. Today I felt like a goose, not a duck man like in my cabinet back home, yes they’re lovely creatures, I slice them with my ram knife, to save a duck I’d take a life.

Ratings - D Hearn 7, A Castiglione 7, C Norris 8, S Adamson 9, N Dodd 8, J Musk 7, A Perry 7, M Cully 9, C Cedrone 7 (T Vullo 7), B Norris 7, P Dodd 8. Subs not used - M Belsey, D Perry, R Cully, D Phipps.