CRU 2 – Taboka 0

Cameron Road continued their Fall 2012 assault with a resounding thumping of Takoba FC, more commonly well know as Havoc from you O.G.’s out there. In stark contrast to last week’s massive turnout for the “non-game”, this week the pickins were slim with only 11 at kickoff, and Gianluca arriving late to give us one sub.

The defense lineup also had to be altered due to so many defenders either on the mend or unavailable on the day. Ryan replaced his Pirlo hair with Maldini’s as he partnered Luke in the heart of defense. Crosley and Andy patrolled the perimeters while Chris and Ciro provided the engine in the center of the pitch. Adam and Danny started on the wings with Chappy and Dermot up top, but everyone was available to swap around if needed.

Cameron Road started off nicely, looking for an opening goal. The passing was looking good, nobody was panicking and the defense was figuring out the Taboka threats. Coach Jefé was on the sidelines blurting out instructions, informing teammates of men to mark, and providing others with much needed sideline beer in between subs.

It was the Honey Badgers who struck first blood with one of their patented plays. Luke got the throw in deep in enemy territory and provided the gargantuan throw in that met Chappy inside the box. Chappy said “well how do you do son” to that ball and flicked it to his strike partner at the far post. With the keeper beaten, Dermot stroked in a Fellainiesque header to smash CRU up 1-0.

Taboka did manage some good attacks and the former Havoc hitman, Ashook, missed a good opportunity with his one on with with Jay, smashing it over the bar from close range.

There were more chances as Cameron Road did well to keep it calm and look for open men to attack the net. Peterson and Cito both had strikes on goal, and Dermot volleyed one into orbit as the keeper was out of position.

At the back, Ryan and Luke played some cat and mouse with the increasing Taboka attack, with their feisty #7 becoming a pesky threat on the ball – as well as their chief complainer. Jay was called into action to make a fantastic near post save to close out the half as Cameron Road headed into halftime 1-0 and looked to add another goal and lock it down in the second.

The start of the second half was probably Cameron Road’s poorest spell, with Taboka forcing the issue and trying desperately to get back into the game. However the defense stood strong, and CRU eventually climbed back into the driver’s seat and started creating chances. Gianluca started winning deep balls and trying to hold up play as others got into the action. Dermot had another long strike attempt and Ciro hit Chappy with a giant cross that he headed just over the bar.

The second breakthrough came as someone played in a long cross (or corner kick) to the far back post. Chappy chased it down and gave it to Danny S, just on the outside of the penalty box. His cricket-like dash into the box caused the Taboka defender to chop him down, unearthing a divot that no referee could refute: Penalty Kick.

Luke neatly tucked the ball into the bottom left corner like he was stuffing one of his Grandma’s biscuits with gravy and neck meat to push his season-leading goal tally to 5, and more importantly Cameron Road’s lead to 2 goals.

With ten minutes to play and the game firmly in hand, Taboka tried desperately to get back into the game, and this included many haymaker elbows from the ever charming captain. (who has a long history of douchbagery and fouls with all the old school Cameron Roader’s from his Shiner FC days). Anyway, not wanting to give “The Commish” any more pub, his team was the latest to fall to the onslaught of Cameron Road bad assery this fall. With one more game to come next Sunday and a possible reschedule with the Hooligans in the forecast, Cameron Road is looking for it’s first undefeated regular season maybe ever. Keep it up lads, time to finish on a high and go into the Fall Cup hot.

Man-of-the-Match: He was a possible no-show and sick, but Dermot arrived to spark Cameron Road to victory. His first half header was the winning goal and his overall tenacity (and lack of a yellow card) lead the way.