Cameron Road Feasts on Second Half Helping of Babaganoutch in 3-3 Thrilla

In a classic battle that goes back 10 years, Cameron Road United and Babaganoutch slugged it out to a 3-3 draw on Sunday. These two teams have been on and off foes since the D4 days when Magilow was running the show and names like Ammerman, Carlos, Gus and Wylie were listed in the game day program. As the two teams renewed their rivalry earlier in the year, Babaganoutch hoped to even the score after Cameron Road’s fall season victory.

It’s always a roster crapshoot with an 8am game, but Cameron Road fielded a strong side with 3 subs on the bench to start the game and the return of Ryan Willis and his Mukaiten panels and Dave, both coming off the shelf from nagging injuries.

Cameron Road started off well with Ciro and Willis manning the center of the pitch, Chappy and Andy out wide and the Italian Stallion and Stevie G rounding out the offense up top. Within the first few minutes, Cameron Road almost drew first blood as Ryan released Andy on the right side of midfield. Andy raced down the ball and arrived as the keeper was coming out. He was able to scoot around him and had a clear look at an open net. But to his credit, Andy followed strict Cameron Road protocol (which states that CRU must never take an early first half lead) and walked the ball into the back post instead of passing it into the net. Got to give it to Andy, he’s a stickler for details… and his blue shorts also did not go unnoticed.

As the game got into it’s normal flow, both teams battled for an advantage. Baba was having the best run in the center of the field, but Cameron Road was able to work the flanks. McKenna came close off a corner kick that would have put the Honey Badgers in front, but it was Baba who followed the script and got the first goal. Their tricky #5 forward beat the high trap and found himself one-on-one with Jay. The crafty keeper actually blocked the initial shot, but was done in by the rebound.

Down 0-1 at halftime, Cameron Road felt right at home discussing their upcoming second half comeback.

The first goal to get CRU back into the the game came as Steve McKenna worked the ball deep into the box and was fouled. Cuyler, Cameron Road’s defensive rock and free kick specialist, stepped up to line up the shot from 25 yards out. His curling shot beat a diving keeper and squeezed into the near post for the tying goal.

The second of a trio of goals came as Ciro and Ryan hooked up for a silky move down the center of the box. Steve McKenna did ever so well to hold the ball up for ages, rolling and stepping over until more Cameron Roader’s got inside the box. Ryan ended up with it and sent a beautiful knifing pass through the center of the defense that found Ciro at the left of goal. Ciro’s sliding shot beat the keeper to the far post and Cameron Road had their lead.

At 2-1 things were turning in Cameron Road’s favor, but Babaganoutch had good control of the center of the field and their #5 was becoming an ever-present threat down the center, and his powerful header off a corner kick tied the game up at 2 a piece.

Cameron Road’s final goal also involved Ryan as he let loose a 30 yard cross/shot from the left that the keeper parried away. Unlucky for him he sent it right into the path of the Kraken who was following up the shot and blasted it home from short range. Advantage CRU.

As Baba laid siege to the Cameron Road end of the field, everyone packed it in to protect the lead – defending multiple attacks, corner kicks and free kicks inside the box, but Cameron Road wasn’t without a few counterattacking opportunities as well. Chappy’s only worthwhile central midfield offering was a 20 yard pass over the defense that found Adam with acres of space on the right hand side. Adam had time to blast a shot on goal, but it went just wide.

As time wore to a nub, Cameron Road continued to defend, and was the unfortunate victim of an inadvertent shoulder ball inside the box. The referee called for a penalty kick and #5 got his hat trick and earned Baba a draw.

Exciting game though – especially a thrilling 5 goal 2nd half. Next up is the always tricky Libertad at NEMP. They are still suffering the effects of multiple suspensions, and if Cameron Road can keep their cool and stifle their short passing game, 3 points could be in the offering.

Man-of-the-Pre-Match: Adding to CRU’s compliment of badass match balls, El Jéfe procured an official Champion’s League ball to go side by side with Ciro’s Premier League special. Jeff was also first to Onion Creek as he arrived to personally inspect the tree line at 5:07am.

Man-of-the-Match: This week’s race was a tough one to call. Ryan and Cuyler were neck and neck for the award. Ryan provided two assists, Cuyler scored two goals and both brought ladies to fill up the sidelines. But it was Cuyler’s 90 minutes at the back and constant verbal torment of the Babaganouth’s whiney little #2 that tiped the scales in his favor. Congrats big man, job well done at both ends of the pitch.

Man-of-the-Post-Match: As if scoring a goal wasn’t enough, Ciro rocked the after party with a trifecta of upper class beers for a thirsty 10am bunch.