CRU 0 – Mean Eyed Baker Street Cats 0

Cameron Road United finally got back on the pitch after the spring monsoons made way for sunny skies at Onion Creek. In a battle with the league’s top dogs, pardon me, cats, the Honey Badgers stood toe-to-toe with the former Baker Street Boys and gave them all they could handle. A scoreless draw was probably a better point for Cameron Road than it was for the big cats.

With a Peterson Party the night before, there was the off chance that the Honey Badgers could have been holed up in Gianluca’s tent at noon, sleeping off the night’s epic musical performances. But duty called, and the boys in yellow responded with a full sideline including a Peyton sighting. Peyton!

There was another new face as well, as “New Chris” made his debut for the Honey Badgers at left back and instantly injected the game with his nonstop running and hard nosed defense. Ciro’s keen scouting eye looks like it will pay dividends with this new signing.

With BT in the game for his customary 10 minute burst of quality, Cameron Road almost came up with the opening goal of the game on the first corner kick. BT’s deep corner found the B.D.O.P. (Bald Dome of Power) at the back post free of it’s marker. Chappy’s header to the far post went about 6″ wide instead of into the back of the net. Should have scored.

Mean-Eyed Baker Street soon found out that they would be in for a battle with these Honey Badgers as the game progressed. Both teams were trading blows, but neither could get a grip on the game. At one end of the pitch, McKenna, Gianluca and Stripy were getting into good positions, especially Z, who nailed a few half volley’s from close range.

At the back end, Danimal showed up fashionably late to solidify the center of defense, and Jay made a great hard-charging save. Sticking with the back line, as Danimal and Luke powered headers out of the middle, Billy and Chris protected the flanks.

0-0 at the half and things were looking positive.

With the wind at their backs for the second half, Cameron Road had a great opening 10 minutes jamming the ball down Mean-Eyed Baker Street’s pie hole. With some scrappy play from Andy, Adam and Zoran, the Honey Badgers kept the pressure on looking for a goal.

But as the half wore on, Baker Street’s quality started to show and the Honey Badgers were called back to defend as a team. For the final 30 minutes, Baker Street’s Mean-Eyed Cats probably had the best opportunities, but time and time again they were kept at bay. Billy probably had the play of the game as he broke up a 2 on 1 counter attack with his sexy fitba guile.

With the minutes ticking down, Cameron Road defended a corner kick, and the ball was played all the way to the other end of the pitch, where Ryan and Danimal tracked it down and nearly got a shot at a last minute game winning goal. But both teams had to settle for a point each and a 0-0 draw.

Have to say, this was a really well played game all around and things are looking good for the Honey Badgers as they have started to string together some good results against the league leaders.

Man-of-the-Match: This week’s awards have to go do a defender for helping Jay pitch a third straight shut out. Everyone was solid, but “New” Chris had quite a first game with non-stop running and hard-nosed defending.