Meat Pies and Smiles All Around As Honey Badgers Beat Austin Athletic 2-1
Cameron Road continued their hot streak and won it’s second game on the bounce by defeating Austin Athletic Club 2-1. It was another solid team performance from the Honey Badgers who only had 2 subs on the bench. This was a somewhat new Austin Athletic Club team, and they were much easier to break down without their usual influx of ringers. The Honey Badgers conceded a penalty in the first half, but roared back in typical fashion, scoring two fantastic goals. Here are five things we learned from yesterday’s game.
#1 – Cuyler is Man of the Post Match Until 2015
With a bounty of pre-paid Anfield Road meat pies delivered directly to the tent, Cuyler earned himself ongoing post game honors, and penalty kick immunity for the remainder of the year. If that wasn’t enough, his on the field play was also immense as his free kick unleashed Gigi for the winning goal, and his 70 yard end-to-end scamper that ended in a thunderous shot was a thing to behold.
#2 – BT is Back
Remember back many many moons ago when a young Brian Thomas bossed the center of the park? Before all the mysterious inner thigh and exploding calf injuries robbed him of his early to mid thirties. Well, that BT is back. His beautifully weighted pass over the defense from the top of the box fell right in Gianluca’s lap for the opening goal. His ability to trap a 5 yard pass coming to him at 90 miles per hour was also key to maintaining order in the center of the park.
#3 – Gianluca is Scoring for Fun
You can put a bottle of ketchup in his shoe, you can put 3 defenders on him, you can take away his Columbian tea… but Gigi is still gonna score! With 4 goals in 3 games, the Italian Stallion is firing on all cylinders. On Sunday, he scored both of Cameron Road’s goals. The first was a deadly strike from point blank range, and the second was all effort. Cuyler took a free kick from inside the Cameron Road half. As he booted it deep, Gianluca and Adam raced towards the keeper. The defenders were so mesmerized by the tandem’s onrushing speed that they could only stand in horror as they were passed up by the yellow flashes. The keeper was also momentarily stunned, and Gianluca got to the ball first and toe poked it home for the winning goal. His triumphant victory lap back to the half line was fantastic as most everyone else on the pitch was still trying to figure out just what had happened. With signing of the summer Derek breaking defenders ankles with his cutbacks, and Gigi blazing a trail of glory in the back of the net, the Honey Badger strike force is looking lethal at the moment.
#4 – It Starts with the Back Line
For the second week in a row, the back line pitched a shutout form open play. Cuyler, Jefe, Andy, Luke and Billy all worked hard to shield Jay from the enemy. Of course Jay made a great save or two, and the tree line did smile upon the Honey Badgers to keep out a ricochet off the post. The defense also worked well setting up the attack, passing the ball out of the back instead of just lumping it down the field. They also got into the final third as Cuyler’s free kicks were a constant threat, Billy crept in deep to fire of a shot and Luke was constantly lurking on corner kicks.
#5 – Honey Badgers Just Don’t Give a Shit – and the League Should be Worried
For the last two weeks, the Honey Badgers have dominated play and it doesn’t matter who’s in the lineup. Okay, so they gave the Dragons a bit of a head start with the week 1 debacle, but since then they have been tearing it up. When you consider they still have plenty of hidden gems yet to be unleashed (New Chris and a fit Steve McKenna come to mind), they look poised for a deep run at the division.
Man-of-the-Match: With both goals, Gigi could not be stopped.