Honey Badgers Suffer 2nd Half Setback As Club America Rallies Late to Win 2-1
Damn. The Honey Badgers let one slip away through their grimy, cobra blood soaked claws on Sunday. With a seemingly insurmountable shot surplus, Cameron Road let Club America squeak back into the game off two second half goals to spoil their unbeaten summer run.
As the team assembled before the game, Cameron Road welcomed back lifetime Honey Badger Way “The Cricket” Shong – the man with the best hair on the pitch. (sorry Peterson) In addition to Way, Ben Lee suited up for the first time this summer. Together with Ciro, the three were set to be deployed as a secret “Far East Trident” offense, reeking havoc upon defenses one small step at a time. (The “Far East Trident” is not to be confused with the second half “Jade Spear” formation, which incorporates several, minute differences in tactical positioning, equilateral distancing, and speed-to-height ratio differential equations – Leif will explain it to you)
The Trident started the game off forming an effective and deadly triumvirate, blistering the Club America goal with shots. Ben’s inclusion in the lineup reaped immediate dividends as he had 3 shots on goal within the first 20 minutes of the game.
Things were looking good for the Honey Badgers. Too good maybe. In an amazing show of firepower, they battered Club America with waves of attacks. Chappy connected with several corner kicks with the B.D.O.P.. Ben unleashed shot after shot. Andy came a whisker away from putting one in from close range. It seemed the opening goal was imminent.
And with a powerful driving corner kick, Cameron Road took the lead as Chappy headed the ball down to the ground at the back post. Andy headed the rebound off the cross bar and then back off his chest to walk the ball into the back of the net.
1-0 Honey Badgers.
For the rest of the half, Cameron Road continued to assault the Club America keeper, clanging shots off the post, but just not being able to convert them into goals. At the back, Cuyler returned to the lineup to marshal the defense, and with Jefe at his side and Billy and Chris G on his flanks they formed an impenetrable shield around Jay. Not even Luke, attempting to snatch the last of his Grandmother’s hot biscuits sitting on a stool in Jay’s box, would not be allowed to pass.
Club America’s style was to play the ball out of the back, pass by pass. So that gave the Cameron Road midfield and defense time to smother the ball and return it to the attackers. Things were looking good as the half came to a close.
At halftime, the Honey Badgers gathered beneath the tent, brimming with confidence.
As they said goodbye to Ben’s wife, Cameron Road took the pitch to see out the game. Things picked up right where they left off as they started winning free kicks and corners in the Club America end. Chappy failed to convert from close range off a corner, sending his rebound attempt skying over the bar. At some point, these near misses were going to come back to haunt the Honey Badgers.
With Way on the sidelines nursling his hangover, and Jake having to bow out with stomach trouble, the bench was getting thin. Club America took this opportunity to get themselves back into the game.
Unfortunately for the Honey Badgers, the somewhat timid referee turned the tide of the game with a few key calls. As Cuyler bodied up his attacker on the side of the pitch, both men were playing some hard-nosed, but fair stuff. Without much warning, the referee called a foul and on the ensuing free kick, Club America scored to tie up the game.
To add insult to injury, the referee called a penalty on Chris G as he rode an attacker to the ground inside the box. It looked like the Club America forward made the most of the situation, going down easily. It was unfortunate for the man who is quickly becoming the hardest working player this side of Scotty Merritt. 2-1 Club America.
Sufficiently pissed off, the Honey Badgers barred their teeth and claws for the final 15 minutes of the game at a desperate attempt to get a result. A full-on barrage of the goal ensued.
Andy almost scored again. Adam was bombing down the right wing. Chris G and Billy were pushing forward. Jefe was barking out orders. Ben was tenacious at winning the ball. Ciro sliced through the middle of the field with old-school Fat Ronaldo moves. Peterson let loose a 30 yard cross that Chappy’s dove at but narrowly missed. Travis became a man possessed, using a combination of brute force and nimble feet as he tried to take on the entire Club America team by himself.
It was some crazy stuff, but the ball would just not go into the back of the net. Even after the Club America keeper spilled the ball several times.
At the final whistle sounded, the Honey Badgers were made to rue their unconverted chances and domination. A few late fouls may have fallen to the defense, but don’t let that fool you. This one was on the attacking force as they just couldn’t convert their 20 chances at goal.
As BT would have said, Brutal.
Man-of-the-Match: Some things are shoe-ins to get you Man of the Match: score a game-winning goal, stop a penalty, bring your Captain a six pack of Crabbie’s Orange, give Ciro an ice bath…. but when a lifetime Honey Badger comes to town for 48 hours, shows up from a secret downtown rave with only two hours of sleep and a glow stick pacifier and asks to pull on the yellow jersey, you gotta give it up to him. Way Shong, you are the man… again.
