reports0607b

It’s always a good sign when just before kick-off a gaggle of Geese fly over the pitch, in past experiences we have always taken maximum points on these joyous occasions. The Geese players were like children on Christmas day warming up as their newly fabricated tracksuits were handed out, it was a shame that Neal Dodd was the stand-in Santa Claus, dealing with a watchful eye from the boot of his Nissan Micra.

Today’s visitors were Broxbourne Athletic who also gained promotion from division six last season. However the difference this season was Richard Bates who signed to the Geese in the summer from Broxbourne, making this a ‘grudge’ match. After Friday nights shenanigans, Chris Wicks omitted himself from the squad after damaging his heel whilst riding home on Willicombe’s back. Chris Cedrone and Paul Dodd were also rested after tweaking injuries in last weeks win over Enfield Rosaneri. Tony ‘the Tank Engine’ Vullo was drafted in at left back, with Peter Enefer being recalled to centre of midfield, pushing Batesy to right wing and the younger of the two Norris brothers up front.

As the game began it was clear that the long-grassed pitch was to make it difficult to pass the ball around. However within moments a through-ball from Perry found a diagonal run from Brett Norris who was then brought down by the Broxbourne keeper. Despite pleading (and pushing) the referee, the penalty stood and the goalie was booked. Unfortunately Brett missed from the spot, in his defence the air was turned blue by the Broxbourne back four and this must have affected his balance. As soon as the air was cleared, a long throw from Matt ‘Mortar’ Cully found Brett who found the net and redeemed himself with a cool finish.

At one-nil the Geese were pushing for a second, unfortunately this was stalled by Batesy who had to come off to fit a gum shield. His bridge had come loose and so his two front Hampstead’s fell out. Luckily for him it was only his milk teeth, and in today’s market the tooth fairy will leave a fiver under his pillow. Obviously unaffected by his set-back Batesy was re-introduced and after a clever passing move, struck a long range effort that clattered against the right post.

The next spell of play belonged to Broxbourne, when a cross was whipped in, the shot goalwards was blocked by the hand of Craig Norris resulting in a penalty. The referee didn’t hesitate and pointed to the spot; the correct decision. Rob Dodd stood tall. This may have been a factor in the spot-kick being hit against the left up-right. The rebound was cleared by Matt Cully, diffusing the danger.

Before half time, two more Cully throws were headed in by Neal Dodd and Simon Hoy respectively, the score-line now read 3-0 to the geese, but the game was clearly not over. It was a lovely moment at half time when you could sit back and admire the facial hair of two of the Broxbourne players. It is rare these days to see a full grown ‘cave-man’ beard, so it was a nice moment.

As the second half began, the geese were caught a little flat-footed and gave away a free-kick in a dangerous area. Rob Dodd positioned the wall to the best of his ability but the precision at which ‘Jimmy’ struck the free-kick was perfect, Bridgette Neilson would have been proud.

To halt a comeback the Geese had to raise the tempo, and they did just that. The lead was soon extended when Neal Dodd scored a second header making his goal average remarkable for a centre-half. Neal then turned provider when his mazy run took him to the left wing. He whipped in a cross that found the head of Batesy, who scored against his former club and also netted a contender for goal of the season.

The scoring was rounded up by Martin Belsey who turned in a cross from Batesy, also scoring against his former club, being part of the 2004-2005 set-up. The lead should have been extended furher, but a Peter Enefer free-kick was turned wide, and Vullo thunder-whacked his chance towards the corner-flag (but it did go off for a goal-kick). A host of chance were also missed by the front two. Belsey was awarded with a double taxi whilst Brett Norris hit the bar from close range.

The game ended 6-1 to the Geese, the three points important in keeping close to Hadley Green in top spot. The Geese played well in patches of the game however finishing was not clinical late on, a worry when the score-line is not so impressive. Todays referee had a very idiosyncratic approach to the game. This was to his credit as he controlled the game very much aware that this was a Sunday league fixture.

Pino Packer was on hand to interview Richard Bates after the game. “Pino mate, I would have bet my molars on Martin scoring that header. You see, I’m a shark, not only do I sniff out my opponents in that midfield, but my teeth grow back, back for the bears next Sunday”.

Putting the chaos of last weeks game aside, the geese travelled to Enfield Grammar school to take on Enfield Rosaneri. Unfortunately Rob Cully failed a late fitness test after a sudden groin problem; Rob “scatch” Dodd was recalled to the starting eleven, being the only change from the team that beat Oakwood. Peter Enefer was fit enough to make the squad, after some time with Graham Wicks and a glove-full of back oils.

The geese were warmed up by trekking through the maze-like school grounds to find Rosaneri’s secluded pitch, the difficult to find field also made the late Norris’s even later. The game began at a high tempo, it was clear from the start that both teams were well organised and that a challenging contest was ‘in the balance’. After a neat passing move early on, lofty forward Martin Belsey emphatically directed a ball goalwards from a Simon Hoy cross down the left flank. However the Enfield Keeper was equal to it and turned the ball over for a corner

Simon was at hand again when his rebounded free-kick allowed him a second chance to whip in a cross. But instead he beat his man at the by-line and thundered in a low strike; a great individual effort that so importantly put the Geese in front. Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the half, both teams battling hard to score, Richard Bates coming the closest, his effort just rising over the bar.

At half time Richard Bates left in disgust at being substituted and headed for the sperm donors. He was replaced by Peter Enefer in centre midfield. Enefer was involved straight away, when a great move allowed Paul Dodd to strike and double the lead. This took the edge off the game, The Geese now confident to find the easy pass, but more importantly the right one. Soon after, a ten pass interplay from back to front found Paul Dodd again who made no mistake in bagging his brace, making up for a miss that he made just before.

Injured Dodd was then replaced by Tony ‘trumpet’ Vullo who slotted in at right back. His introduction pushed forward all the players on the right-side, Brett Norris now playing up front. This gave Matt Cully freedom on the right wing, a cross whipped in caught a defender and wrong-footed the goalkeeper making it four-nil. The last change saw Belsey give way for Jimmy Musk, re-introduced to the squad after a stint in the Territorial Army. Jim played left-wing pushing on Hoy along side Brett Norris up-top.

At this stage chances were being created a little easier as Enfield tired slightly. A skillful run from ex-Palermo youth player Tony Vullo found Peter Enefer who dribbled his way past four defenders and beat the goalkeeper, not even the linesman’s flag could stop his solo effort, another contender for Goal of the season. The Geese were unlucky not to hit six when Brett Norris struck the bar.

The final score was 5-0, but reading the match report clearly doesn’t do Rosaneri justice. The Geese had the better chances and did deserve to win. However the game was played in great spirit, and it takes two teams to produce a quality game of football. This was helped by a superb official who controlled the game brilliantly.

Pino Packer caught up with todays linesman Christopher Wicks as the final whistle blew “Hellossshh, yessshh, I like the flagssshh, I wavesssshhh the flaggsshh, offfsidddesssshh, thankyoussshh.”