CRU 3 – FC DeVille 1

Cameron Road United battled a pesky FC DeVille as well as a NEMPish gale force wind, but remained undefeated with their 3-1 victory. The win wasn’t quite as convincing as the previous week’s mauling of Slaughter FC Phoenix, but the workman-like effort kept them at the top of the Over 30c table.

CRU sported a few reinforcements from the previous week as Billy, Ciro and Z were all available for their first spring action. Billy slotted into his customary right back position, fresh from the mental anguish of watching his Arsenal side capitulate against Spurs. Ciro was back in the central midfield, and Zoran stood on the sidelines, clutching his lucky striped shirt in anticipation of his first action since his foot injury. All three would have a part to play in the victory.

Going into the wind was a tough proposition, and FC DeVille were making it twice as hard with their twin towers in the lineup, and their good time on the ball. Still, CRU attacked more often than not down the right side, with Andy and Chris dumping in crosses. After several missed opportunities, the game was starting to take on a frustrating tone. And to add to the frustration, CRU conceded an early own goal.

But with Honey Badger like tenacity and the patience of a giant 3-toed sloth, Cameron Road finally found a breakthrough goal at the feet of red-hot Ryan Willis. Playing the ball down the right, Dermot cut back and sent a ball into Ryan at the top of the box. With a defender to beat, Ryan cut back a la R.V.P. and sent in a left footer off the bar and into the back of the net for his 3rd goal in 3 games. And just like that, Cameron Road was back on level terms.

As the tide started to turn, Cameron Road started to turn the screw and gain more of a foothold on the game. Ciro bobbed and weaved his way around the titanic 7 footers in DeVille’s midfield. Danimal headed away ball after ball from the back. Cuyler surged forward to support the attacks. And Zoran got into the game and started to feel comfortable again on the pitch.

With the game tied at halftime, Cameron Road tossed away their frustrations and knew that the wind would aid their attack. Hopefully it would only be a matter of time before they took the lead.

Following that script, the second half saw CRU retain 80% of the possession in the DeVille half with only the odd counter attack to trouble Jay. Billy moved into central midfield and added some bite as Cameron Road started to up their small ball passing game, looking to slice through the defense and notch another goal. And the man with the plan was none other than Big Z, who snapped up a lose ball and sent it into the top corner from a van Nistelrooy like tough angle. CRU was back in control and up 2-1.

With the exception of FC DeVille’s lone meaningful attack that sent a shot off the crossbar, the remainder of the half saw Cameron Road dig out more chances to add to their lead. Ciro came close with a shot just off the far post and Zoran fired in another two powerful shots at the keeper. The Cameron Road defense also issed out some stern warnings as Cuyler had “had it up to here” with some dubious undercutting tactics that were being employed.

But with the game winding down, it was Andy who somehow managed to bungle in a back heel from 6″ to close the deal at 3-1. How he managed to score w/o the aid of Chappy’s pristine white Nike socks we don’t know.

So a workmanlike performance saw CRU through in a tougher than advertised match with FC DeVille. Next up is a rematch with the Hooligans on the 17th.

Man-of-the-Match: Back from a long layoff, Zoran scored the game winner and had a part to play in the third with his fox-in-the-box display.

Cheers for post-game beer. There was plenty to go around.