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As the game kicked off, the ball was hard to control but Turnford were winning the majority of loose balls and passing the ball around with greater intent than their opponents. With four minutes gone it appeared that the mentality of the adversaries hadn’t changed from the last game, a ball into the Royals half gained a free kick for the Geese. It was also clear that the Goalkeeper problem hadn’t improved. As Neal Dodd hit a free kick at goal, it was fumbled by the Royal’s keeper into his own net. 1-0 to the Geese. Not long after A long throw from the left by Matt Cully was headed on by Craig Norris and headed in by Chris Cedrone, a textbook set-piece that any team would be proud of. Cedrone was proud, but also angry at the passion of Christ.
The royals did have some long-range efforts, superbly saved by Rob Cully’s radar gloves he manufactured whilst working at Tilly’s. But the resulting corners were all dealt with comfortably, a pleasing factor that has improved in recent weeks. At 2-0 the Geese deserved their lead but knew they had more to offer in the game. Another throw from the left was flicked on and fell to Cedrone, this time as he was further out he executed a volley with the outside of his foot that swerved past the diving keeper.
It was fair to say the Royals were frustrated, but instead of playing as a team, individuals were holding the ball for too long, and persistent defending broke down attacks before they reached the box. In one instance Neal Dodd came away with the ball and was tackled by Dean Barnet who also wiped out a teammate. Although the player couldn’t be understood (with foreign quibble such as, “shoota shoota”), he soon gave up appealing for the foul when he realised he was injured and had to come off. As another attack was broken down deep in the Goose half by Peter Enefer, he played a long pass down the line to Dodd, who’s electric pace beat the defender and saw him home in on goal, as the angle became acute he rolled the ball back to Craig Norris who was in acres of space in the box. As he swung a boot at it, he also booked his taxi, as the ball sailed over the bar. At 4-0 the game would have probably been out of reach, but at 3-0, in a positive light, the game wasn’t out of reach, so the great performance in the first half had to be continued.
By now manager PC had left the ground, and many players were suffering from nose frost, a burning icy chill deep in the lungs and deep in the forest. It was like playing in high altitude, struggling for breath. However no one wanted the game to end, the pitch was defrosting nicely like chocolate gateaux, and the game plan was working. Individual team-talks from players with and without Bear gloves were given, different players adding their fuzzy felt to make a convincing picture of a house with smoke coming out of the chimney.
For the initial part of the second half neither team could make a break through, the game became condensed as Lea Valley opted to put three at the back and pack out the midfield. But it was clear most of our opposition grew up playing football on the continent. Small kicks, and tugs, pulls, trips ups, were producing free-kicks in favour of the Geese, fair enough the Mercury and Waltham league doesn’t have video replays, but please give the referees some credit for spotting fouls, and also try to enjoy the game of football, it is a “beautiful game” when played in the right spirit.
As Paul Dodd was brought down again, a short free kick was out of question as a Royal player stood over the ball; the kick was therefore left for Enefer. It was quite a distance out but was hit with conviction. As the ball was hit it looked as if it was going over, as it got nearer it looked like it was going over, but just before it reached the goal the ball snuck under the crossbar and presented Peter with his third of the season. The Royals now looked buried, the three man defence was being torn apart, a tackle from Peter Enefer was delicately dinked through the gap by Andy Perry and into Dodd’s path who had a one-on-one scenario before reaching anywhere near the box. The keeper didn’t move, before, during, or after the ball was toe poked into the bottom right.
Still Adamo cheered each and every goal against his old club with might. At 5-0, Fresh Brett Norris who was on a high from both his win the night before and his morning trying on clothes from lost property replaced Chris Cedrone. Every PE lesson at Cheshunt school sees them same clothes urinated and thrown at the Billy-no-mates, but Brett seemed in his element. The substitution seemed to work. Chris Cedrone gave his best performance of the season so far, scoring two and winning everything, but Brett is also a great player, showing a vast depth of quality in a young but mature Goose squad.
The next move saw Enefer involved again, crossing an inch perfect pass to Craig Norris who controlled the ball dead and fizzed in a low shot to the keepers left. A finish worthy of the weighted ball he had just received. “Oh dear” with fifteen minutes left it was “All going wrong”, no not the score line, or the performance of everyone’s favourite meatball Tony Vullo who was substituted due to his high demands of staff in sports shops. His replacement was Brad Hewitt (who owns a bouncy castle, the best place to find children shoes) who’s neat and consistent performances in training are not going unnoticed.
Before the game had ended, the Royals were putting on more pressure, but every time they came forward they faced two defenders. Steve Adamson’s great tackle won the ball but saw him receive a push in the face for his efforts. All credit to Steve, he didn’t care, he was there to play football, not fight a grown man who didn’t want to lose 7-0. But unfortunately for that player it became 7-0. As the Royals found themselves stretched once again, Paul Dodd found himself in space and placed the ball past the keeper, he made it look easy. And the game itself was easier than first anticipated; obviously the Royals had players missing, but the Geese proved that they can play on a frozen pitch, and are looking more of a team now than ever before.
Throughout the second half Manager Paul Cully gave instructions to stand in number two Tony Cedrone (also official Goose cinematographer). Pino Packer caught up with Paul Cully at full time at White Hart Lane. “First of all, I would like to congratulate my team on a clean sheet, its primarily what we have been working on for a while, and today it paid off in difficult conditions against a team competing for the title like us. Every one of my players played well, together, for each other, and to score seven is great for us. Obviously there is still a long way to go but at this stage in the season it is nice to be up there. Cedrone was great today, nice to see him get two goals, and Peter, what can I say, he joined us late on but he fits in so well, and worth every penny of his transfer fee. He lost one fight and retired, his best punch was that one where he’d gone in with the right and punch with left, I used to like watching him fight. Great fun. Hamed, Hamed, Naseem, Supreme Hamed.
Ratings - R Cully 9, A Castiglione 8, S Adamson 8, N Dodd 9, T Vullo 7 (B Hewitt 7), M Cully 6, P Enefer 9, A Perry 8, C Cedrone 9 (B Norris 7), C Norris 8, P Dodd 8. Subs not used - A Willicombe
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