CRU 4 – Valladolid 3
Continuing their recent good form, Cameron Road came out guns blazing and beat Valladolid in a 7 goal thrilla 4-3. Returning to action was the mythical Jared Singer. The once prolific striker from Oklahoma. Always one to talk up a good game, Jared picked up where he left off 3 years ago scoring 2 first half goals and earning himself a honey badger t-shirt and hat.
Cameron Road also sported another unfamiliar face as on-loan Verity player Charlie joined the crew with The Young Way Shong acting as his agent. Charlie also played well on the wing and in central midfield, and sported the best mustache on the team.
Cameron Road started out the game well, passing the ball around and controlling the play. It was clear that for the second week in a row, they weren’t going to be outrun or out hustled by their opponents. This was evident as Ryan sent Jared through on goal with a thru-ball. Jared raced onto the ball and did what he was getting paid to do – he put it right back into the back of ye’old onion bag. Just like that 1-o Cameron Road.
With the back line of Dave, Billy, Luke, Crosley and El Jefé locking it down at the back and distributing the ball, Cameron Road continued to press forward looking for more goals. Jared should have doubled up the score as he received a ball in front of the keeper. Unfortunately his touch was off and his shot was saved. But as CRU won a free kick on the left side of the field, Billy (the free kick specialist for the day) stepped up and delivered a nice cross that smashed off Jared’s head for goal #2. It was looking good for the Honey Badgers, who weren’t used to holding such an early lead.
A bit of controversy as Valladolid pulled a goal back as their forward chicken-winged a ball off his arm before shooting past Jay. The hand ball was seen by everyone except for the ref of course, who was busy not saying a whole lot of anything in particular.
Not to be outdone by Jared’s rapid fire two goals, Ciro was next up on the scoresheet with another assist from Ryan “Puppermaster” Willis. After receiving the ball in the center of the pitch, Ryan surveyed his surroundings and picked out Ciro with a nice chip. Ciro gathered the ball inside the center of the box, and left the keeper standing still as he blasted a shot past him that would have made Cassio proud. 3-1 Cameron Road.
As the half ended, Valladolid scored another dubious goal. There was some controversy as the referee sent one of their players off to remove some incredibly dangerous earrings, but he quickly re-entered the field a la hockey substitution without the referee’s knowledge and ended up scoring.
A bit crazy, but an entertaining game at the half with Cameron Road clinging to a 3-2 lead. But their impressive play gave them no reason to think they couldn’t wrap the game up in the second half.
And as it happened, it was Cameron Road again off to the races with another quick goal. Bursting down the right side of the field on a mini breakaway, Ciro ended up taking a shot on the right side of the box that the keeper parried off to his left. Fortunately Chappy was making a back post run and tapped the ball in with ease to an open net to give Cameron Road a 2 goal cushion.
As the half wore on, Valladolid pressed harder but CRU had some additional chances as well. Jared had a second breakaway with just the keeper to beat but had his last minute shot saved, Stripy magnificently whiffed a shot from close range, Way Shong one-upped Ciro’s leaping karate kick whiff from last week, Luke laid off a perfect ball for Gianluca who blasted over the bar, and Charlie smashed a nice shot at goal that was pushed wide. Lots of good chances for the goal-hungry Honey Badgers.
Unfortunately it was the attacking Valladolid who pulled one back to make the last 15 minutes a tight affair. But Cameron Road stood firm, especially Dave, who for the second week in a row established his physical side by winning a 50-50 header and turning a Valladolid attacker’s nose into a bloody, mushy mess. Of course being the gentleman he was, Dave helped his victim off the field.
As time ran out, Cameron Road celebrated a rare summer 2012 victory as the game ended 4-3.
Man-of-the-Match: Driving down from Norman and delivering the goods that his mouth dished out the night before, Jared Singer earned himself a t-shirt, a hat and some more Cameron Road glory with his 2 goal performance. Even though he should have had 4, we were glad to have him back in the fold, if only for one match. Hopefully he can get some wifey approved time off in November for the big tournament.
Man-of-the-Post-Match: Gigi and Stripy for providing the post-post match ice cream. Stripy also brought the bottled Heinys. It was a damn Euro connection of post game satisfaction.
Non-Man-of-the-Post Match: The great and mighty oak, whose branches and good temper provided endless entertainment as he gleefully accepted all of the CRU offerings including: Ciro’s shoes, Jay’s shoes, Jeff’s flip flops, Ciro’s jersey, Chappy’s hat, Gianluca’s shoes, Ciro’s ball, Jeff’s ball, etc.
