Badgers Build A Wall Of Stone Around Jaybone To Earn A Well-Deserved 0-0 Draw With Phoenix

Coming into yesterday’s match, Phoenix had won all four of their games and scored 17 goals. The Honey Badgers faced a daunting task with only 11 players available and the temperature soaring to near triple digits.

Jefe was tense. Too tense. His call for reinforcements fell on def ears as the Honey Badgers would have to make due with the squad at hand. But deep down, Cameron Road knew it had the tenacity, motivation, game plan and oranges to defeat any opponent, let alone the lethal attack of Phoenix.

The plan was to build up an impenetrable wall around Jaybone. Danimal and Jefe would lead the line, with Bret and Peterson patrolling the flanks. The midfield five was Adam, Ciro, Willis, Brian (no “new” since BT was gone) and Chappy. Up front, Derek was the tiny tip of the spear to receive any counter attack.

Cameron Road started off brightly, choking off any room for the skilled Phoenix forwards to mount an attack, and actually got a few good opportunities at attacking, mostly through the middle of the pitch.

The plan was working nicely, although the heat and lack of subs was a constant battle. The referee mercifully allowed water breaks.

All tied at a whole lotta nothing at the half, but the Badgers were treating that as a good sign that they could do this.

For 45 more minutes, Cameron Road battled it out. Danimal employed his header battering ram technique, Jefe was clearing balls like a boss, Peterson was sending it from the back, and Bret was taking a beating giving his all for the defense. So much so, that he had to retreat to Badgertown (via lying down first in the hot sun) to receive good Little healing vibes from his wife, soon-to-be-born kiddo and parents. While down to 10 men, Chappy filled in for Bret at right back since was painfully obvious that his stamina, running ability and liver were still somewhere on the sandy beaches of Mexico.

Thankfully, Bret returned later as Cameron Road dug in for the final stretch to secure the point.

While their defensive plan was busy thwarting off Phoenix attacks with slide tackles and headers, the Honey Badgers were also busy creating breakaway chances at the other end. Derek came close to firing off some good shots, but his internal cutback clock was stuck at 6. Ryan had a nice run down the side that ended up in a cross/shot off the upright, and he also fired a free kick to the keeper after Brian won a foul just outside the box. (“Here, do this with his legs…..like you’re milking a cow”……. thanks Ref)

With maximum effort and every drop of sweat they could muster, the Honey Badgers finished off the game in defensive style as Jaybone proclaimed, “well, we’ve done it.”

That was a great point against a tough opponent by 11 weary Honey Badgers.

Man-of-the-Match: Big day for Bret. He gave his all for the defense, got knocked out of the game and then came back into the game to see finish the job. Oh yeah, his wife was also there about to give birth at the doorstep of the tree line, and his parents were there too. Solid.