Johnny Football Does Not Score as Cameron Road and Chopped Liverpool Fight to a Goalless Draw.

The Honey Badgers pitched another defensive shoutout against table toppers Chopped Liverpool yesterday and earned a well-deserved point. Everyone was probably expecting a rain out since the fields were a wet, muddy, freezing cold mess, but the league said “game on” and the badgers assembled on the sidelines with a few subs ready for battle.

Cameron Road has had a hard time getting positive results against their Crown & Anchor arch rivals lately, so they were very happy to be nestled against the awe-inspiring tree line. They were also happy to have key offensive and defensive lynchpins back on the pitch as Gigi and Danimal showed up to bolster the squad.

With about 85% of the regular defense missing in action this week, Jay was protected by a bit of a patchwork lineup that featured Peterson at left back and Andy partnering Danimal in the middle. Dave slotted in on the other side. Gianluca was back up top for the first time in almost a year, and the familiar huff and puff of his sprints was a wonderful sound to hear that has been missed for many a moon.

The Honey Badgers started off nicely, carving out several early opportunities from long range set pieces. The first came to the back post where Danimal tried to call off Chappy, but the Captain’s DNA would not let him alter his path and his header missed the mark. (to be honest, that bald bastard should have scored). The second was almost the exact same scenario, but this time Danimal couldn’t quite find the net. But it was a good sign that Cameron Road was finding it’s spots.

Filling in for any number of defenders, Peterson fit in nicely at left back, cutting off attacks and surging forward in front of Chappy when play dictated those tactics. On the right side, Dave was able to also stretch the field and push forward, and his 40 yard bomb of a cross sailed right over the keeper’s outstretched arms and nearly found Chappy at the back post. (again, that bald bastard probably should have scored).

This was a cagy match, with both teams evening out the chances and pretty much keeping their cool. The mud was definitely a factor as the ground became a muddy place where no cleat could find purchase.

Ryan had a great run from the right but as Steve played him in, his cutback at the bast of the goal landed him on his backside with a ball in the face. (a familiar scene for Ryan I’m told)

About halfway though the first forty five, Jefe shouted from the sidelines that there was a Johnny Football sighting. As he entered the game, the Honey Badgers knew that they would have to button down and defend him tightly, as he is one of the league’s top goal-scoring threats. For real, he’s pretty damn good.

Cameron Road closed out the half on level terms feeling pretty good about the game and huddled on the sidelines for warmth.

The second half started out with Liverpool really turning up the heat. They were burrowing deep into Honey Badger territory and had several chances, one of which narrowly missed as a shot was flashed across the goal but couldn’t be put in at the back post.

Johnny Football was his usual, calm, terrorizing self inside the box, the the badgers defense dug deep and kept him at bay.

On the other side of the ball, the Honey Badgers welcomed Travis for the second half, even though he chose to cover up his claws with gloves in a very un-Bill-Bates type move.

Cameron Road did find some more good attacks as the crossed kept coming in and the keeper kept spilling saves out. BT had a nice header in front of goal that landed him face down in the muck, and Ryan came close with a rebounded effort.

This game was looking like a well-played draw as both teams were pretty solid at both ends of the pitch, but it was not without controversy as the match came to a close. As the keeper spilled out another shot, Chappy rushed in and got upended in the box by a leg to the shin. A pretty clear-cut penalty from his point of view, but the referee and his flag-up flag-down good-for-not-much linesman didn’t give it. The Captain went on a foul-mouthed Miltonesque tirade which landed him a yellow card. Rumor has it he’s still hot, very hot, about the incident.

After that non-call, the Honey Badgers still managed a few more looks at goal as the game ground to a halt. Stevie McKenna smacked a wicked volley from a corner kick that whizzed by the right side of the goal. It would have been a fantastic ending to the game, but as time expired both teams settled for a draw. Considering their positions in the table, it was a much better point for Cameron Road.

Good team effort though, another solid clean sheet for the Honey Badgers.

Man-of-the-Match: Playing in a new position, Peterson proved he was a solid defensive option as an emergency left back as he helped thwart Johnny Football on one end, and delivered some long-range shots and free kicks from the other end.

Post-Match: The post match was in full effect as the Punters got an earful on field #9.