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After a recent run of poor results, the Geese desperately needed a win, not only to get more points on the board, but to also boost team morale, and once again find that winning formula that has seen the Geese taste success again and again. If the Geese were to record their first win in weeks it was going to be hard fought, as they were up against 2nd place Enfield Royals who had been looking strong in a competitive Division 1.

Once again the geese turned up with a couple of injury concerns – Armstrong (knee) Captain Dodd (back), Enefer (toe), Norris (knee) and Baker (ankle). In addition to this, Cavell’s return was delayed due to a toe injury and another Goose in the name of Hoy is to go under the knife to repair yet another ACL (The Geese will take a vote at training to potentially call the team ACL United!). After a thorough pre-match fitness test from Turnford Geese’s backroom staff, all injury concerns passed with the exception of Armstrong, meaning he would drop to the bench as a last resort.

As the Geese took to the field for their somewhat relaxed warm-up, there was a complete contrast on the other side with Enfield Royals’ hard core approach rarely seen on a Sunday morning! The bearded one called his troops in to go over the starting line-up (see above) and it meant a first start in 17months for Norris donning the no.10 shirt usually occupied by a tiny little man who recently travelled west in search of Gold, Frankincense and Merck! Cully reverted to right back in the absence of Armstrong in the only other change.

So onto the game…Neal won the toss after Royals’ captain elected for tails, however, a harp turned up meaning Carlton Palmer’s face was like that of a little boy on Christmas morning and not like that of Bill Pratt when told there is a fault with the showers!

First Half
The game began with early pressure from Enfield Royals in the opening 10minutes, getting in behind the Geese defence on 2 occasions, however, squandered both chances to put their side in the lead.

On both occasions, it was deemed by a couple of Geese players (Wicks & Ellers) that their linesman was wrong not to flag as they felt both attacks were offside. The referee picked up on the shouts towards Adamo (lino) and went over to ensure he was okay and not too nervous to carry on – after a quick kiss on both cheeks, and a blood filled love bite (Ayia Napa) on the ref’s neck, play continued.

As the game continued, the Geese found their feet and began to look more threatening with better, more confident passing play and this finally paid off mid-way through the first half when a long ball through by Cedrone found Norris who took it between the 2 colliding defenders and scored at the second time of asking – his first goal in 17 months was duly met with a forward roll after cries from Marathon Rob on the sidelines! 1-0 and the Geese used this goal to take the game to their opponents and begun to dominate the game with regards to chances created. Just minutes after going 1-0 ahead, Jamie beat the offside trap and slotted the ball past the on-rushing keeper, though Cedrone run through and tapped the ball over the line meaning it was ruled out for offside. The Geese didn’t have to wait long for their second goal of the game as Jamie sent a through ball to Cedrone who blasted past the keeper from close range 2-0. The Geese were really taking the game to Enfield Royals at this point and continued to pile on the pressure with another attack which saw Ellerbeck get in behind the defence on the right side of the box but wasted a golden opportunity to pull the ball back in to the paths of either Simpson or Cedrone who would have been left with the simplest of tap-ins – this angered Farmer Enefer as he let out a mighty roar to exemplify his frustration with Ellerbeck.

Enfield Royals began to play channel balls in an attempt to try and create something against a seemingly rejuvenate Geese side, though the Geese were winning 2nd balls all over the park and therefore shutting out any threat from their opponents. To make matters worse for Enfield Royals, the Geese went 3-0 up when Matt Cully unleashed an astonishingly long throw to the back post where Simpson had the easiest of tap-ins, side footing the ball through the keeper’s legs. As the game edged towards half-time the Geese continued their assault on the oppositions goal and almost extended their lead once more when a Cedrone half volley fizzed over the bar – shortly after the half time whistle was blown and a happy Gaggle waddled back towards the ‘bearded one’ for a half time pep talk.

Second Half
The Geese had been told by the man with the Brett-like beard to keep it tight for the first 10 minutes and withstand any attacks that were likely to come their way - this task looked unattainable when they brought on the John Barnes look-a-like. The ref called him over (the crowd were cheering him, hoping, praying that he could once again get his dancing boots on and dazzle the crowds as he did so beautifully at his past clubs……..Roy’s Rolls & Bill’s Shower Men XI) and asked for his name, though Barnes wasn’t interested in giving his name, oh no. He wanted to give a word of advice to the ref and the fresh faced onlookers, he said….Ref, you've got to hold and give, but do it at the right time. You can be slow or fast, but you must get to the line. They'll always hit you and hurt you, defend and attack, there's only one way to beat them - get round the back. Catch me if you can coz' I’m an England man, and what your looking at is the master plan. We ain't no hooligans, this ain't a football song - three lions on my chest I know we can't go wrong...He then ran over into position and as if by magic Enfield Royals managed to grab a goal back when a flicked on header from a throw found a team mate who headed over Thwaites to make it 3-1. Just after the restart Norris made way for Baker.

The Geese now seemed to panic when they should have still been in control and played their own game, this sign of nerves played into the hands of Enfield Royals as their winger nutmegged Vullo, crossed the ball into the box only for Cedrone to blast the ball off Wicks in a panic which found its way into the bottom corner, own goal 3-2. The impetus was very much with Enfield Royals now and they could sense the Geese were wounded and wanted to go for the kill, however, Captain Dodd and his troops held strong and kept all attacks at bay with the exception of a header which went harmlessly over the bar. The Geese began to gain momentum once again due to the fight shown throughout the team to deny Enfield Royals on several occasions and the rejuvenation of the Geese was highlighted by neat passing move involving Ellerbeck and Cedrone with Baker heading in Cedrone’s cross, making it 4-2 on the day – this seemed excite Cedrone as he performed his angry celebration for the masses of on looking fans (well around 10 but let’s live the dream). Moments later Cedrone was involved again seeing his long range shot float over the bar and behind for a goal kick. This game which would have been previously thought of as a tight affair provided yet another goal for the Geese when a mazy run from the Swedish Born, Cameroonian known as Vullo found the feet of Jamie who passed to Ellerbeck and he confidently found the bottom left corner for his 11th goal of the season.

The game ended shortly after and the Geese were very proud of their efforts, recording a great win after several weeks of disappointing results. The man of the match in my opinion would go to Dodd who was instrumental in keeping the score line positive during periods of constant attacks from Enfield Royals, though he was helped somewhat by the great efforts on the day by all who played over the course of the 90mins – well done Geese, hopefully we can use this win as a catalyst to gain near to maximum points in our remaining games.

Finally, the day finished on a comical note as Graham Wicks was holding Dave Enefer on his shoulders taking down the nets – your help is much appreciated as always.

I’ve been Brett Norris, you’ve been Geese…ah-ha!

With a midweek rest sanctioned by the management team, the Geese physio team set to work on repairing their injured troops. Having not succeeded in boosting numbers, the Geese are looking at Spring breaks in Basra as a chance to reduce chances of injury. Down to 12 including Martin ‘white Wanchope’ Belsey and Adamo ‘growler’ Castiglione who had played less than 90 minutes each in over a year, Gennaro ‘the better’ Vullo came into the squad to bolster an injury/absence hit team now missing eight first teamers.

The positive performance against East Herts was something to build on, and as the Geese arrived at Holtwhites Sports and Social Club they were pleased to see a wide pitch on which some good football could be played (delete ‘pleased’ and add in ‘devastated’ when referring to Pete). The nearby cricket square also sparked conversation amongst members of the Geese XI, victorious in their cricket match of 08 and looking forward to the annual ‘Brooks vs Dodd’ contest this summer.

Back to the football and after a relaxed warm up the Geese were ready – Adamo was starting at right back with the Seagull moving inside to support our immovable sausage meat. Captain Paul won the toss and elected to switch ends, much to the disgust of me, running the line. Paul has been doing a great job as Captain, marshalling the team and helping to instill a better work ethic than was seen a few weeks ago. He’s also managed to keep the armband high up the bicep, despite its obvious stretched state having been on my massive muscles for most of the season.

As the game kicked off it was Northmet who started the brightest with a couple of channel balls causing early problems for the Geese back four, getting used to their shape. Both early threats were dealt with by the Seagull and his growling Italian, and they weren’t to be troubled for a while after. After angry Ced had provided feedback for the referee as well as mis-timing his tackle by a split 10 seconds, everyone turned up their energy levels a notch and the game began to shift in our favour.

The big pitch allowed some neat football to be played; Ced and Matt were seeing a lot of the ball, with Wixo and Vullo keen to use the space and play the ball out of defence wherever possible. The positive passing play provided its reward when Enefer contributed a goal of the season contender. Having collected the ball in his own half, a quick one two with Paul bought him some time, and having dispatched a lovely cross field pass to Matt ‘Delap’ Cully, he duly arrived 40 yards later in the opposition penalty area to head home a delightful cross into the top right corner. Total football, I believe is the expression.

With confidence restored there was renewed vigour – pressing the ball and looking to play football wherever possible; the crowd were delighted, although the sight of Andy Perry’s bare chest may have also contributed to the good mood amongst the crowd. As the Geese pressed, it was time for skipper Paul to get in on the goal of the season act. With a cross coming into the opposition box not cleared, it fell to Paul on the edge of the box, after a touch to move the ball away from the oncoming defender, his shot found it’s way to the top left corner. Another great strike and a big goal for the Geese.

For the next quarter of an hour the game remained fairly equal, although the Geese had a third goal ruled out after the referee agreed with his assistant that despite running from in front of defender, Ellerbeck’s fine run and finish began from an offside position. It was another chance created from the ever impressive Jamie, who had been at the heart of the Geese’s attacking moves – calm and controlled with others buzzing around him.

As the half drew to a close, the Geese were content to slow the game down. However, disaster struck with 5 minutes remaining as a long channel ball caught the Geese unawares and the opposition striker made it through one on one. As the player shot, Rob Dodd got his angles right and palmed the ball away. The ball fell to the second Northmet striker who had been 10 yards ahead of play and in an offside position. With the referee oblivious as to why the flag had been raised, he chose to play on and Northmet made it 2-1. Harsh on the Geese, even harsher on the linesman. Inevitably incensed by the strange decision, the Geese lost composure and it was only another Rob Dodd one-on-one save that prevented the scores being level at half time.

After taking on some of Sera’s finest, the Geese restarted the game. A scrappy 10 minutes didn’t bring much from either side, but then the Geese had another strong ten minutes. With Pete and Paul bossing midfield, Lee and Jamie were beginning to open up the opposition defence and it was no surprise when Jamie rounded a defender near the left by-line to fire home from a tight angle, making it 3-1. With continued pressure it was the sort of moment that Keegan might be heard saying ‘there’s only one team going to win this’.

Then came the turning point. After some lovely trickery on the edge of the opposition area, Pete was brought down with a horrendous tackle. After consulting his whistle in a sucking motion, the referee waved play on and Northmet attacked on the counter. They won a corner and whilst the ref was having a chat with some spectators, the cross came in, was only half cleared and it fell to the opposition right winger who smashed in a glorious volley from 20 yards.

At this point the game changed and it was Northmet who were applying the pressure. A tired Geese team succumbed to a hopeful cross that dropped in between defence and keeper, and then to a powerful header from an out swinging corner. 4-3 down, very harsh on a Geese side who could look to a tired final 15 minutes, along with some external factors, which caused the downfall.

It was a positive performance with the wrong result, but with another big game next week there are opportunities for us to recover, particularly with the return of key players on the horizon.