Dos-XX a Cero. Honey Badgers Blank Punters and Retain Legendary “Soccer 1” Status at the Crown.

In a game three years in the making, the Honey Badgers beat longtime Clark Field rivals The Punters with the prestigious “Soccer 1” status on the line. Goals by Andy and Gianluca sealed the victory in the second half, and a rock-solid Danimal lead defense pitched a shutout as the frustrated Punters found no love in front of the Honey Badger goal.

The Badger Den was literally bursting at the seams as 18+ players were all itchin’ to sink their teeth into the game. When Cameron Road started playing The Punters years back every Wednesday night, they were often mesmerized by their slick ability to actually pass a ball between three players on a consistent basis, and so the mid-week thumpings began. But as time passed, the Honey Badgers slowly showed signs of life at Clark Field, and the beat-downs became less frequent. When the sessions on the pitch stated bleeding into their time at the Crown & Anchor, the rivalry intensified as the pesky Punters simply could not be vanquished. But after dispatching of the Dragons last season, Cameron Road’s meteoric ascension into Over 30A provided them with the opportunity to settle this once and for all. And settle it they did.

Both teams took the field with Crown & Anchor representative Mike securing a neutral position at mid-field. He alone had the power to bestow Cameron Road’s long-standing “Soccer 1” status to the victor.

The Punters came out strong. They owned the first 15 minutes with their customary midfield passing and gained an early foothold on the match. But for all their time with the ball, they were regularly running into a brick wall at the back. Jaybone wasn’t forced into making saves as the back line held firm.

Having survived the Punters best shots early on, the momentum started to swing back into Cameron Road’s favor as the Honey Badgers won countless free kicks and corners inside enemy territory. Danmial had a great chance as he powered an indirect free kick from just outside the box, but the best chance of the half fell to Carlos. Gigi worked the ball skillfully down the left, beating the Punters with his mustache-fueled pace. He slid the ball perfectly into Carlos’ path, but his shot at the far post blazed wide. But the danger was there.

Tempers started to flare up, but during the first half they were held mostly in check. At halftime, having felt they had taken the Punters best shots, the Honey Badgers rationed out the oranges and started to believe that this one was within their grasp.

And with one fantastic, blistering play within the first two minutes of the second half, the Honey Badgers turned up the heat on the rivalry with a fantastic goal. In a lighting fast break, they Honey Badgers got the ball to Derek who slid it into Carlos’ path on the right side of the box. With power and skill to keep the ball away from his defender, Carlos crossed the ball to the back post where McKenna was drawing the defender’s attention. Sprinting at the back post was Andy, ready to pounce on the ball and send it blazing into the top corner of the net.

1-0 Soccer 1. 

The Punters were shaken. The on-field trash talk intensified. The fouls were stacking up. Every ball was contested. In short, the shit was on.

But the Honey Badgers would not be swayed. As the Punters tried to get back into the game, their frustration grew. And with another bursting counter attack, Ciro darted into the box and was chopped down with a Henny hip check to earn the Honey Badgers a penalty. After much screaming and yelling, Gianluca stepped up and calmly dispatched of the keeper with a thundering drive to the left corner.

2-0 Soccer 1.

With the game seemingly out of reach for the boys with the tiny type on their jerseys, Cameron Road almost added another one as Chappy rose over A-A-Aron to put a header just north of the upper 90.

For the final 10 minutes, the Punters grew desperate and tempers boiled over. Hopefully all will be forgiven at the next drunk-fest at the bar, but this day belonged to the Honey Badgers and Soccer 1.

Three outta three in Over 30A with 1 goal against and 7 goals scored. The Honey Badgers are certainly living a charmed life these days, hopefully they can keep it up as they now become the hunted at the top of the table.

That game was basically was basically Athletico Madrid v. Spurs.
We defended, got under their skin. They passed like wispy Dutchmen and we tore em open on the counter.
And I smoked the Eagle Claw.

-Ryan Willis, 9/25/16