WIN: 6-4 vs Austin Power Outage – Badgers Continue To Thrill in a 10 Goal Father’s Day Spectacular!

The league gave the Badgers the honey pot spot with an 8am game on Father’s Day. It was cool, cloudy and not yet into triple digits. Jefe was out, but he made sure to give the precious Real Ale cooler to newcomer Matt (did you happen to hear Cameron Road has a sponsorship with Real Ale?), who also brought a tent, a dog, a fan, and a fiery attitude while Danimal was also celebrating his brood on the links.

When the game kicked off, the Badgers had plenty of subs on the bench as 16 players made the journey to Onion Creek.

In the early periods of the game, something strange was happening. Cameron Road were controlling the ball in the Austin Power Outage final third, taking their time probing for openings. Matt, Ciro and Peterson were zipping the ball around the center of the park as the Badgers scrapped their typical counter attack for a more Pep-like game plan.

But with all that hard work, Austin Power Outage struck first blood with their first shot of the game from way downtown. Lucky bastards. Not to worry, as there would be plenty of scoring happening in the next 80 minutes.

And just like that, the Honey Badgers tied up the score as Derek connected with his tiny left foot from close range. 1-1

Back at the other end, the duo of Scotty and Hoguer were getting stuck in at central defense but for the second week in a row, the Badgers got stung by another bad call from the referee. One of the Badgers cleared a ball from the back line and smashed it right into Scotty, who barely had time to turn around as the ball came off his chest and bounced off his arm…. How is that a penalty?! ElevenBadgers wondered not to silently. Just more drama as Austin Power Outage went up 2-1.

Over to you, Badgers! Just like last year, Father’s Day was pretty special as Jesus and his kid, Mark, were on the pitch together. Now, Mark should have been trying to get his old man an assist (which, to be fair, he did try a few times), but at this point in the game it was time for him to do what he does best… smashing the ball into the back of the old onion bag. 2-2!

20 minutes in, this game was already more exciting than the entire Austin FC season, and both teams were just getting warmed up.

Austin Power Outage struck again with a long strike to go up 3-2, but like Jay-z (the rapper, not Jaybone and Zoran’s adopted son), the Badgers just brushed that dirt off their shoulders.

It was time for Ciro to step up and perform some magic from those tiny toes. Getting the ball deep into enemy territory, Ciro sliced through the back line like a Hattori Hanzō katana, drawing the keeper out to try and track him down. Ciro pivoted and was in mid-cutback inside the box when the panicked keeper gave him a wack in the shin to draw a penalty. With seemingly no-one to take the kick, Connor decided to cement his name into Honey Badger lore with a shot that took a few twists and turns to finally find the back of the net – becoming the second CRU guest player to score a p/k on Father’s Day, as Nick the Punter had one last year. 3-3!

To say Matt was getting stuck in was an understatement. He had a 50/50 challenge that the ref didn’t like which caused a bit of “feedback” from the second number 7 in yellow on the pitch as he moved up the DEFCON ladder of intensity.

But wouldn’t you know it, as Austin Power Outage won a corner kick, they scored from a powerful header from close range at the back post. 4-3, but little did they know their afternoon of scoring was over as the Badgers defense closed up shop from that point on. And to get that party started, Jaybone made the save of the day, which was just what the doctor ordered as the Badgers lost the ball at midfield setting up an Austin Power Outage breakaway. Jay sprinted out of the net like a jungle cat and swallowed up the shot, making the play that turned the tide of the game for good.

With the half winding down, Matt got called for another tackle which the referee didn’t like. As he attempted to plead his case to the ref and was in desperate need of a pineapple, play resumed with the Badgers on the attack. Mark again stepped up, and like a drunk snake, he weaved his way down the touchline, finding Derek in the middle of the box to slot home the tying goal at 4-4.

The half ended with Chappy going to the turf to win the ball, but like Peterson visiting a Turkish bath house, the studs were up.

Oranges. (must say, they were a bit tough to get open)

With an 8 goal first half in the books, what would half number two be like? According to Conor, it would be filled with dangerously close headers that just missed their mark which also rubbed off on the Bald Dome of Power, which also flew one over the bar.

But there was plenty of action left for the half.

The Big Dave Father’s Day slide tackle was back with a rapid fire double deployment down the touch line! Jesus was doing his best to get on the score sheet with two early chances. Pete had a header, most likely set off course by his signature bandana. Peterson nearly found Chappy at the back post with a delicious cross, but it sailed just wide. Derek was looking his hat trick. Billy, Brian Parks, and the rest of the defense were shutting down Austin Power Outage like a February ice storm. The Badgers just needed a little bit of magic to grab the game by the scruff of the neck for good.

Up Stepped Hoguer as the Badgers won a corner kick. With his powerful left foot, the young gun whipped in an in-swinging kick from the right flag which dropped right into the near post! It’s not very often you see a direct score from a corner kick, and this one came at just the right time. 5-4 Badgers.

With time winding down, the other young gun stepped up to put the icing on the Father’s Day cake. Ciro heard the call to square the ball to Mark in space about 30 yards out in the center of the park, and as Chappy yelled “SMASH IT” from the sideline, Mark abided and drove a wicked strike past the keeper for the final goal of the game. Wow. 6-4 for the win.

So far, the Honey Badgers have combined for 17 goals in their first two games this summer, looking forward to what comes next! Wait, the next two games are at noon…. ouch.

Man-of-the-Match: This week you gotta give it up for Jesus on Father’s Day…… for having the good fortune of producing Mark!!

Post-Match-Report: The Honey Badgers were in fine form for the post-game. There was Real Ale for all, a Danny McBride on-field sighting, Billy Elliot references, an actual Billy at the post game, and a tiny p/k tourney which saw Ciro taking his customary spot when playing goalie…. falling down on the ground. It was a good day for all.