Mixed-A 1-5 Wild Geese

South's mixed team's second match of the season saw them up against old friends the Wild Geese (a.k.a. Pelicans HC of Kings Lynn), in a match played in unseasonably summery weather at the Perse.

The last time the Southerners had faced the Geese, we had taken an early lead through co-captain Gemma Thomas only to be pegged back to two-one behind by half-time, and then to spend the second half mostly on the defensive, conceding 3 more goals for a final 5-1 scoreline, with Lino, our keeper, getting the man of the match award for keeping the score respectable. Now, you know that Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day? Where whenever he wakes up, it’s to re-experience the same events all over again? Well…

The match started with both teams testing each other out, probing for openings. The Geese had the majority of the possession, without getting all that close to the South goal. For South, the central midfield pairing of Gemma Thomas and Jo-Ann Read were winning their share of ball, allowing wide midfielders and forwards Dan Pippard, Rupert Webb, Tash Cox and Kevin Rowland to have their most productive spell of the game. Halfway through the first half, some good quick ball movement by South sprung Gemma high on the right point. From there she unleashed one of her trademark drives and we led one-nil.

As keeper Lino Di Lorenzo remarked to sweeper Jan Brynjolffssen whilst waiting for the Geese to take the centre pass, “Yeah, it’s good, but remember what happened last time.” And, well, you know the rest. Come half-time it was two-one to the Geese, despite some resolute defending by South defenders Brynjolffssen, Margot Overbeek, Chris Clegg, Jodee Davis and Ellie Raffan. First they reacted quickest to a brilliant stick save from Lino to knock home the aerial ball for a slightly dubious equaliser (though if it hadn’t have been given, the umpires should probably have given the Geese a penalty flick, and it was very skilfully done if of doubtful legality, so on balance, fair enough). They then took the lead in the dying minutes of the half, with a neat penalty corner move. The injector making a late run across the face of Margot and Lino, adding a flick which looped high and just dropped in under the bar.

South switched umpires at half-time, with Chris Clegg and Gemma Thomas taking over from Emma Clarke and Johnny Benedikz, who had both done good jobs. Also introduced was Mens 1st team captain, Chris Baker. All the positional changes these subs necessitated proved a bit confusing for South, and the Geese quickly added a third, spectacular, goal. The Geese right winger went on a mazy run, cut into the circle and pulled the ball back sharply for her teammates. It was meet by a late arriving midfielder, who uncorked a fizzing uppercut into the top corner giving Lino not a hope.

With the South defence all at sea, Lino had to be at his best to keep the score down, making numerous saves. The weirdest one being an unintentional block with the back of his helmet in a scramble following a smothering save. During this pressure, the Geese added a fourth from a short corner, cleanly struck into the corner, with Lino’s defence running out down the wrong lines leaving him unsighted.

South began to get some more play, when the generally excellent Margot stepped up from defence into midfield for the final quarter of the match. Her calmness and tackling ability was much appreciated, especially one beautiful clean tackle on the Geese captain (who on Saturdays plays in the East Premier). One further goal was added in Punxsutawney when numerous Geese players were let unmarked on the far post, allowing the ball to be walked in. And then it was off to the pub, having first convinced the Perse caretakers that having cleaned the floors of the changing rooms earlier wasn’t enough to render the showers “Out of Order”…

The player of the match award has to go to Lino Di Lorenzo, for his solid, occasionally spectacular, keeping. Also worthy of another mention is Margot Overbeek, South's most consistent outfield player.

Comments

You must be logged in to comment.

If you haven't created an account yet, you can sign up here.

GK
Lino Di Lorenzo
Player of the Match

For his solid, occasionally spectacular, keeping.