Football Poets

Boro v Dnipro (03-11-2005)

¶ 1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Tonight it’s Dnipro, all the way from Ukraine,
Who stand in Boro’s path to a lengthy campaign,
But I don’t doubt the outcome, no, not for a minute,
And I really do hope that Boro go on and win it.

¶ 2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Little’s known of Dnipro from over the seas,
But I’m told it’s for sure that this won’t be a breeze,
They show steely resolve and they’re usually so thorough,
And victory would prove a giant step for the Boro.

¶ 3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 It’s a terrible evening, I mean weather-wise,
And the crowd is so small but that’s no real surprise,
The atmosphere’s said to be really low-key,
So, to cheer things up, let’s now have a goal-spree.

¶ 4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 In attack Dnipro were the first team to show,
But the shot was sent well wide by Nazerenko,
Mendi collects a clearance and then tries one from distance,
But the ‘keeper did so well and showed quite admirable resistance.

¶ 5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Boro force a corner: it’s the first of the night,
When Pogatetz, down the left, gave the visitors a fright,
Mendieta’s corner-kick’s fisted so far clear,
That it threatened to land on distant Saltburn’s pier.

¶ 6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Schwarzer then delayed as he came out for the ball,
But Riggott’s there to make sure that the Boro don’t then fall,
We were just a little fortunate that their number 10 had slipped,
Though Riggott showed he’s much more than just adequately equipped.

¶ 7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 Dnipro’s challenge seems to be, “Break us down, if you can,”
That’s what comes across to me as being their number one game plan,
So the match is crying out for that vital Boro goal,
And if it comes to us we might see something of a stroll.

¶ 8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 We waited quite some time and then Yakubu made the kill,
A great one-two with Mendi showed tremendous football skill,
With his left foot he caressed it: he’s delighted: with good reason,
For the strike brings to the big man, number seven for the season.

¶ 9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 The ball is cleared by Doriva, who then picks out Mendieta,
And what a left-peg strike! It couldn’t possibly have been better,
But through the air flew Kusily to parry it somehow,
And Mendi couldn’t believe it as he stroked his furrowed brow.

¶ 10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 There’s not a second added time and we say, “Thank God for that,”
The referee’s had enough and to him I doff my hat,
A bit of magic was required and by Yakubu was provided,
After Mendi’s brilliant ball came, like a missile, laser-guided.

¶ 11 Leave a comment on verse 11 0 ———-

¶ 12 Leave a comment on verse 12 0 Soon, within the second half, advantage was allowed,
Despite a foul on Mendi, and it pleased the meagre crowd,
We got a lucky ricochet then the warning was quite stark,
With a shot just like a cannonball, Viduka made his Mark.

¶ 13 Leave a comment on verse 13 0 His turn was so magnificent: the ferocity quite rare,
And Dnipro’s ‘keeper, Kusily, was left grasping at thin air,
So we have a two-goal cushion and relief is clear to see,
Now the crowd has finally come alive and is crying out for three.

¶ 14 Leave a comment on verse 14 0 Mendi’s touch deserted him, but his recent form’s been gleaming,
He’s capable of things, of which most others are just dreaming,
Then the ball fell right for Morrison and he struck it really well,
But the ‘keeper was behind it and once more managed to repel.

¶ 15 Leave a comment on verse 15 0 He survived for just a moment and then further danger beckoned,
Following a great save from James Morrison, Viduka got his second,
He had got his just reward and he proved he can be ruthless,
In comparison to Dnipro who, up front, are totally toothless.

¶ 16 Leave a comment on verse 16 0 Mendi and Yakubu are both quickly substituted,
And on comes Jason Kennedy, who’s been magnificently tutored,
And a place is found for Macca to advance the Boro’s cause,
And from all around the park there comes magnificent applause.

¶ 17 Leave a comment on verse 17 0 What a save by Kusily, as young Morrison he did thwart,
To leave the promising Boro lad looking quite distraught,
And, although he’s on a hat-trick, Mark Viduka then makes way,
For striker, Szilard Nemeth, to further turn the tourniquet.

¶ 18 Leave a comment on verse 18 0 Pogatetz was unlucky when he sent one inches wide,
He’s given a powerful performance and that cannot be denied,
The ‘Mad Dog,’ as he’s being called, will take quite a bit of shifting,
His performances have, by and large, been wonderfully uplifting.

¶ 19 Leave a comment on verse 19 0 Macca’s clattered from behind, towards the end of this session,
When his Ukrainian opponent showed a bit too much aggression,
Immediately, it seemed, the hand of friendship was extended,
Which Macca violently pushed away, and that cannot be defended.

¶ 20 Leave a comment on verse 20 0 Unnecessary petulance earned the Italian man a caution,
His reaction was, quite clearly, out of all proportion,
But the game was then concluded as a job well done,
And paved the way for Boro to have a long UEFA run.

¶ 21 Leave a comment on verse 21 0 At last for Boro and their fans, the season starts to brighten,
Based on recent displays, we see expectation once more heighten,
With six points already in the bag, things are really looking up,
And hopes are high for Boro to have a great run in this cup.

¶ 22 Leave a comment on verse 22 0 ———-

¶ 23 Leave a comment on verse 23 0 After long and careful thought, my mind is now made up,
I am calling it a day and I’m winding it up,
I’ll now put up my feet and I’ll lay down my quill,
There are so many things that I wish to fulfil.

¶ 24 Leave a comment on verse 24 0 I’ve finally decided that the time is now ripe,
To put on my slippers and to light up my pipe,
So this is the end, it’s my last episode,
For the old Boro Bard, it’s the end of the road.

¶ 25 Leave a comment on verse 25 0 Lack of time, I’m afraid, is one very good reason,
For me pulling the plug, like this, in mid-season,
But I’ve had major problems, as some might have heard,
So, that’s it, my dear friends: my very last word.

¶ 26 Leave a comment on verse 26 0 George Kirby