LOSS: 4-0 vs AAC – Second Half Collapse Sees Badgers Fall To League Leaders

The Honey Badgers suited up with 4 subs to take on top of the table leaders, AAC on field 10 out at Onion Creek. The cool, crisp Spring morning turned into a hot, humid day by the afternoon, so the Badgers were lucky to have Jake and his giant tent… especially since Jefe and “the tent” were out again for the third game in a row.. We need our Jefe back!

Cameron Road knew it was going to be a tough game, but for the opening 20 minutes or so, they completely dominated the affair, camped out in the AAC half looking for a goal. Chappy and Derek took turns being offside, you know, just getting into their customary groove. Guillermo was pushing up from central defense providing nice passes too.

Pete cut the ball to his left foot inside the box and let one fly just past the far post. Chappy got a rebound to the B.D.O.P., but wasn’t able to get any heat on it. Things were happening, but the Honey Badgers couldn’t capitalize on their 20 minutes of dominance when they really should have nabbed an early goal.

Austin Athletic got one scrappy chance at Jay’s near post and snuck in a rather weak goal to go up 1-0. No worries though as Cameron Road continued to pass and play well.

Jesus tried to get Ciro into scoring position, but his tiny feet couldn’t hold their purchase on the luscious grassy turf. There was a tiny header to header action as Ciro won one and got it to Derek, but the play fizzled out shortly after.

At the other end, AAC was having a hard time getting into the game, and one one long break Big Dave shielded the ball all the way out to the byline, using what he has been blessed with to deter any attacker getting around him.

On another CRU break, Derek was caught giving the linesman the business for claiming he was offside, but after 15 seconds of ranting he realized that it wasn’t him that had been flagged.

So, going into halftime, the Honey Badgers were feeling really good that they were the better team over the first 45 minutes.

The same could have been said for the final 45 minutes, although the scoreline didn’t reflect it as Austin Athletic dropped in 3 more goals even as the Honey Badgers continued their good play. One of them took a deflection for an own goal, one was pretty weak, and one caught CRU out when they thought it was offside. Guillermo had a slight disagreement with the referee about that one….

With Schwarzy back in the mix in midfield, Cameron Road were not without their chances. Adam flashed a header across the goal that just missed the mark. Derek and the keeper clashed from close range. And with just about the last kick of the game, Big Dave sent in a deep free kick that Chappy nailed with the Bald Dome of Power, but it smacked the far post as he was also called for a questionable offside (aren’t they all questionable?)

Guess AAC is the top dawg for a reason, but hey, at least it wasn’t the 6th 2-1 game in a row as the Honey Badgers decided to switch things up a bit.

With 3 more games to go in the season, the Badgers are looking to close out the campaign on a high.

Man-of-the-Match: Good team game regardless of the score. Jake edges it out for bringing the tent.

Man-at-the-Match: Brian Parks, we see you.

Post-Match-Report: Miguel was there, fresh off his rear-ending car wreck that has him a little sore and banged up. Luckily it didn’t damage his 1982 Casio digital watch. Ciro got his icing from his nemesis with a clever bit of ice pack subterfuge. He did retaliate with a shot to Chappy’s open beer can. The sun went down. Good times were had as the Tree line loomed.