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An amazing thing happened at Grundy Park on Tuesday night. An event, that Manager Paul Cully can only dream about. Every Geese player arrived on time, with the exception of Chris Wicks, who had already stated he would be late for kick off. A truly remarkable feat considering the game was to kick off at 6:15pm. The heavy traffic and a full car park did not delay the early arrival. In fact, Phil and Jamie in their eagerness and haste drove the wrong way through the car park to steal a couple of spaces near the entrance, much to the disgust of the oncoming lady driver who had to pull over to let them pass.

Whilst the players made their way to the changing rooms, which apparently were built with smaller people in mind, Tony Cedrone and Andy Perry, who unfortunately was not fit to play stating he had been told by a back specialist to rest, went to put up the nets and were soon joined by Manager Paul Cully. Much of the time was spent clearing the pitch of debris, which included tarmac and broken glass. The lines were barely visible and the pitch very dry and hard, something that Robo-Dodd was fully prepared for in his padded track suit bottoms.

It was a mild and sunny evening, however, some locals were obviously feeling the weather could be better as they started a fire right next to pitch 2 just to keep warm. Their gathering did not last long as they were soon moved on by the arriving White Bear players. The Geese didn’t need a fire to warm them up as a stirring pre match talk from Manager Paul Cully made everyone aware that this would be a tough game. Even Dave Perry who came straight from work was ready to do battle in his suit and hushpuppies.

The Ref arrived and the game started. Neal lost the toss which meant Robo-Dodd (Half Man, Half Zip) had to face a very bright sun. The game started as predicted with the Geese trying unsuccessfully to penetrate the organised Abbey Youth defence. An early corner from Matt was headed on by Dave “seagull” Armstrong to Neal, who headed over the bar. This chance was soon followed by a Matt throw into the box; Lee managed to nod down to Chris Ced who shot over from just outside the box. Abbey started to come into the game but their channel balls were being dealt with fairly comfortably by the Geese defence. After one of the oppositions’ attacks broke down the Geese tried to counter attack but Matt was fouled just after the halfway line. Dave Armstrong sent a teasing free kick into the box which Paul Simpson managed to control, even though it looked like he had been fouled, and lay off to Tony “The Tank” Vullo whose shot went way over the bar much to the delight of Martin Belsey who decided that laughing very loudly would not damage Tony’s confidence. Fortunately, Tony Ced had managed to capture this potential taxi on camera and should join a large list of taxis that may end up on the end of season DVD.

The Geese seemed to find it difficult to pass the ball with any fluency as the opposition worked hard to stop us playing the football that we would have liked to play. The Geese had their own spoiler in Paul Simpson who was by this time had been spoken to by the Ref due to his feud with the oppositions’ central midfielder. It was a good battle but the Ref seemed to think that both players were too aggressive.

Another good ball from the midfield found Lee Ellerbeck through on goal with just the keeper to beat. Unfortunately, Lee scuffed his shot and the ball went agonisingly wide. This seemed to rally the opposition, they pinned the Geese back in our own half and went on to have 7 corners in a row, all of which were dealt with by Robo Dodd and his defence. The half time whistle blew to give respite to the Geese players.

Manager Paul Cully sent the players back out asking for more hard work. An early Geese attack went out for a throw. A long one by Matt was allowed to bounce into the keepers hands who sent the ball over the half way line where the Geese conceded a free kick 25 yards from our goal. They crossed the ball to Robo’s back post and Phil duly raised his flag for offside but was ignored by the Ref. The opposition number 10 spun captain Neal Dodd round by pulling on his arm, a foul that was missed by the Ref, and headed from 5 yards straight at Robo Dodd’ s face, bounced of his nose and into the net. 1 – 0 to Abbey Youth. What looked like an incensed Robo Dodd then questioned the Ref’s decision to ignore the flag and his position compared to Phil our linesman.

Soon after, Manager Paul Cully was forced into making a substitution. Paul “the camel” Cavill had to be taken off after being given a nasty hump on his head by the Abbey Youth striker. He was replaced by the late arriving Chris Wicks. Tony Vullo also came off as Brett Norris joined the battle as Manager Paul Cully went 5 in midfield. This gave the Geese the impetus to push forward. Brett raced on to a through ball but was beaten to it by the Abbey Youth keeper who decided to kick it as hard as he could. The ball landed on the guttering of one of the nearby houses which must have panicked the residents. Tony “ the tank” stood by the fence looking for the match ball when an angry man came out complaining that the ball had hit his window and promptly gave Tony Vullo a piece of his mind. Tony Ced stopped his camera to give Tony some support and missed a typical Peter Enefer run through the midfield apparently beating 6 or 7 players to put the ball in for Jamie Feeley, who had worked his socks off, to place the ball past the Abbey Youth keeper. 1- 1. Jamie’s goal had come as no surprise to Gypsy Rose Simpson who before the match started had predicted Jamie would score the Geese’s first ever goal against Abbey Youth.

The game opened up a little after the deserved Geese equaliser. Pete laid off another good ball to the edge of the box, where Lee controlled well to slot the ball through to the oncoming Paul Simpson down the right who shot straight at the keeper. Another throw in by Matt was cleared by the opposition defence to Paul “Gypsy Rose” Simpson who switched the play to the right where the waiting Chris Wicks controlled the ball and unleashed a ferocious cross shot which just went over the bar. Phil came on for the now tiring Jamie and was soon put through by Pete down the left; unfortunately, the ball was cleared by the Abbey defence. Loud calls of “free kick ref” from Martin were totally ignored by the Ref.

The game continued to be a hard fought affair, Abbey hit the bar and the feud between Paul “Gypsy Rose” Simpson and the Abbey Midfielder ended up with both players getting booked. Gypsy Rose unluckily being booked for asking the Ref not to book his tormentor. Chris Ced whose energy invited the Abbey players to clatter him all over the pitch ended the game with a few bruises. Chris Wicks got booked for a little spat with one of the Abbey strikers who looked like he wanted revenge on Chris for hitting him with the ball from a free kick while his back was turned. The draw was probably what both teams deserved.

After the match Pino Packer our roving reporter asked Robo Dodd for his views on the Ref’s decision on the Abbey goal.
“I wasn't really angry, I just asked the Ref how he thought his angle was better for offside decision than Phil's. He couldn't give a good answer, and just threatened to book me, at which point I waved him away."
Pino Packer to Chris Wicks. “Did you mean to shoot or was it a mishit cross”
C.W. “of course I meant it. It was only 40 yards out.”

Today was an away game against Enfield Royals, but after an Easter Egg Trail accident on Enfield Royals’ pitch, the game was switched to the Geese haven of Wormley, a repeat fixture of four weeks prior.

The Geese would be without Petey Enefer and Brettles Norris for today’s clash, both with their respective partners (and not each others), however a small consolation for the Geese existed in a returned Paul Dodd, on a break from the states. All time top goal-scorer Paul would be making only his 3rd game for the Geese this season after his temporary re-location abroad.

Paul Simpson’s twisted ankle had repaired from last week’s defeat at Great Eastern, although his negative attitude towards the new Rory still existed. Paul even took upon himself to remove Rory 2, the so-called cheap imitation, from the changing room whilst we changed. Andy Perry was hopefully in contention of an appearance today, with his back injury improving, his patience being thwarted by Pete’s Pain Pills. Whilst the Geese started their warm up before the game, manager Paul Cully asked for volunteers to go in goal, in case Rodd Dodd couldn’t overcome his muscular conservatory kafuffle. After an exchange of glances, the prolonged response was a hopeful “He’ll be alright gaffer”. This dilemma was OK, because more important squad issues with the Geese’s one-off cricket team this summer were being strengthened by the signings of Paul Simpson and Paul Cavill.

With minutes to go to kick-off, assistant manager Tony Cedrone named the substitutes to the referee. Surprisingly, flasher, woman, rapper, Tony Perry was named as a substitute, which caused a cheer from the crowd, but unfortunately Tony would keeping to his fan-shouting duties today, after his name was erased. There was enough time for some words of wisdom from Paul Cully, the highlight of this information was asking centre midfield Matt, to put in the same work as Pete, which was misinterpreted by most of the players.

Without Pete, the Geese shuffled the squad around to fill his void and as a result started a bit edgy, taking time to settle into our new layout. After a few scares, Turnford started to play their own game. A scuffed corner from Matt ‘Delap’ Cully leaked through the Royal defence and with a darting run through the box Big Wicks connected with a perfect poke past idle Enfield, the Geese finding themselves 1-0 up.

Enfield Royals continued with their pressure and created some good chances, including a couple of one-on ones that went wide. Another one-on-one was saved by the semi-niggled Rob Dodd, the rebound bouncing to the striker who tamely shot towards goal. The ball was on its way towards goal, but Wicks arrived with enough time to clear the ball, until the sodden ground decided to make his feet nearly give away, resulting in a slow motion clearance off the line, luckily saving Wicks of any embarrassment. A scary yet humorous moment for the Geese. Unfortunately Enfield did make a chance count, when the ball fell to a lone Royal, who took advantage and plonked a 20 yard looping curler past the helpless Rob Dodd and so it was equal at the break.

Tony “Vullo Bear” was bought on for the second half, pushing Ced on to left midfield. In comparison to the first half, the Geese looked a new team, dominating in possession, limiting the Royals to minimal opportunities. A few chances from outside the box arose for Paul Dodd, who went very close. Paul Cully decided to mix things up in an attempt to get a different attacking direction. Paul Dodd went back up front, switching from his adopted American Gator centre midfield role and asking a non-plussed Lee Ellerbeck to go out left midfield, stopping him in his tracks with surprise.

Soon after, Matt Cully attained the ball out on the right, who found Cedrone, who in turn dinked the ball down the line to Paul Dodd. Paul advanced with the ball and picked out Jamie who was waiting in the centre to side foot past the keeper with his right foot across the goal, finishing a well put together goal and putting the Geese ahead once more.

The goal advantage lasted less than five minutes. An Enfield Royals free kick deflected off the head of Cedrone in the wall, deceiving Rob Dodd in goal and dropping in agonisingly close to his hands next to the right sided post. Many would have thought that Cedrone was on the payroll of Enfield Royals, who notched his second debateable own goal in consecutive games against Enfield.

The game went on to be an even encounter, the geese having the upper hand in the second half after the Royals dominated the first. The best chance for Turnford to extend their lead came after some brilliant one-twos down the left flank, putting Jamie through on goal, but unfortunately his shot was dragged just wide. Captain Neal also had a rare right footed long shot, which involved laughter and a bush exploration to retrieve the ball that descended into the atmosphere. Tony “Gadget Legs” Vullo made an important block off the line from a corner to round off a pretty balanced game.

After Sera Perry handed out mini-egg treats for the Geese squad, the majority of the Geese then ventured to Wickso’s BBQ for further food and Easter entertainment, including Dave Perry wig action, Octopus meat, Casey football games and a Mr & Mrs Simpson darts duel.