Non-league feature: Joe's pulling out the stops (From Thisisdorset)

Non-league feature: Joe's pulling out the stops

7:00am Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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THE name of Joe Prodomo might not be that familiar to Bashley’s Recreation Ground faithful – but the club’s emerging goalkeeping prospect is already accustomed to the limelight.

At 18 years old, the young stopper is just making his way in the game. Yet, despite his tender age, Prodomo has already experienced the highs and lows non-league football can provide.

The Mudeford-based talent hit the headlines when he featured in Weymouth’s embarrassing 9-0 thumping at the hands of Rushden and Diamonds last season.

With a number of Terras’ first-teamers refusing to play for the troubled club, Weymouth were forced to call in the youth team to bolster the senior ranks. Prodomo, who just four weeks earlier had been playing for Christchurch under-18s, found himself thrown into Conference action – at the deep end.

Despite the unfortunate experience of having to pick the ball out of his net no less than nine times, his efforts in keeping the score to single figures were recognised with a man-of-the-match award and national newspaper coverage.

It was an eventful introduction to men’s football and some youngsters might have thought twice about their choice of part-time profession after such a baptism of fire.

But almost 13 months on, Prodomo, a sports diploma student at Highcliffe School Sixth Form, has put that day behind him.

An impressive display on Tuesday in his Southern League debut for Bashley – which saw him save a penalty with his first touch after coming on as an early substitute – earned rich praise from manager Steve Riley.

Prodomo is now determined to make a name for himself – for the right reasons.

Reflecting on last February’s Weymouth nightmare, he admits: “Getting man of the match left me with mixed emotions. I was happy to play and get man of the match but, looking at the score, I was thinking ‘what’s gone on here’.

“It was about a year ago. It’s been crazy. I went to Grays Athletic in pre-season but they changed manager so that went. I emailed Bashley then came on in a friendly against Wimborne and haven’t looked back from there.”

And Bash boss Riley could have unearthed another gem if his efforts on Tuesday prove an accurate gauge.

“I’ve never enjoyed football so much,” continues Prodomo, who plays cricket for New Milton in the summer months.

“The squad is great and Riles is the best manager I’ve been involved with. He doesn’t talk down to us. He has got the respect of everyone but he’s also like one of the lads as well.”

While Prodomo has his work cut out to displace long-serving Bashley number one David Elm, he is keen to give Riley a selection headache, should the opportunity arise.

“Elmo’s a really good keeper – one of the best in non-league,” says Prodomo. “I’ve just got to focus when I play on what I do and give the best possible account of myself.

“I really enjoy it so it’s about – every chance I get – making it as hard as possible for Riles to leave me out.”

His Bashley first team appearances have been limited to just four, but Prodomo has got valuable match practice under his belt with loan spells in the Wessex League with Brockenhurst and, more recently, Christchurch.

However, it is further up the non-league ladder, with Bash, where he would like to make an impression.

Prodomo adds: “I’ve always said I would love to have a crack at professional football or the Conference again, but I’ve just got to get in somewhere and get games because you can’t build a reputation if you’re not playing. I’d love to do that at Bashley and help take the club forward.”

With Elm doubtful for the Premier Division clash against Tiverton Town, Prodomo might get his chance to do just that today.