Badgers Dig Deep. Beat SAFC 3-2!

Let’s get one thing straight, this was a glorious day for Cameron Road United. The victorious weekend on the pitch all started with a birthday celebration for Jefe on Friday, as McKenna showed true Badger hospitality at The Grove in the form of tequila shots, wine (both kinds….red and white) and classic Italian entrées.

Unfortunately, he got called in Sunday morning, leaving a depleted Honey Badger squad even more thin. Not to worry, eleven players showed up to round out the team and get their money’s worth. No subs happening today.

In a daring show of confidence, Chappy took the wind in the second half, envisioning a dramatic comeback. For the opening moments, SAFC peppered the goal with shots. Some on target, some wild misses, but all of them sent alarm bells through the Honey Badger team that this would not be an easy storm to weather. The defense was up to the task however, with BT, Danimal, Billy and Peterson soaking up pressure. Danimal set the tone early with a flying face challenge 20 yards out to win a free kick.

If facing a full squad with many subs against the wind wasn’t enough, the game was played in a sand pit filled with bottle caps, ant hills, and the crushed remains of mollusks and crustaceans, as this area in Manor must have been an inland sea sometime in the not-so distant past.

At right wing, Jake was going an excellent job of helping out the defense, winning the ball back and instigating attacks…..when he was bipedal that is. The Badgers were not getting deep too many times, but a quick turnover found Derek who instantly made them pay as he stroked the ball into the back of the stunned SAFC net for the 1-0 lead!

The not-too-delighted SAFC players regained their footing and got back to attacking the Honey Badger goal. More shots came. More defensive heroics were displayed. But alas, a long range strike broke through the Honey Badger lines with Jake down in the box and zipped through the side netting for the tying goal.

But wait…..referee conference…… checking with the linesman….. offside? No….. they didn’t see the goal! None of the 3 referees was ready to give it. Badgers escape. But wait again, BT was the first to inform the refs that it was a goal. Chappy backs him up. 1-1. Sportsmanship wins. Honey Badger karmic bank account filled.

With so much of the ball in the Cameron Road half, the Badgers were implementing the “flick of death” often as Danimal’s booming goal kicks cut through the wind and found Chappy’s head to push the ball forward to the attackers.

Another rare Honey Badger attack saw Ol’Schwarzy dink and dunk his was into the box with a possible nutmeg and rip a shot that caused the keeper to make a diving save. The resulting Derek corner found more Honey Badger magic as it found the back of Bald Dome of Power. The flick went to Peterson who ripped it off the crossbar from close range. The rebound hit the turf and fell to Adam who nodded it home from a few feet out for the 2-1 lead. Scrappy!

SAFC counters! Bald guy scores as his kid runs onto the field for hug. Producers of Rudy, Invincible, and Remember the Titans alerted.

Good game developing here, but BT’s hammy explodes from too many fantastic clearances and jive moves. Unlucky, Badgers now down to 10 men for the duration.

Oranges.

Down a BT, the Honey Badgers made some tactical changes. Chappy went from tip to tip as he moved from the front line into left back. Billy pushed forward to midfield to try and grab hold of the ball. Jake slid to right back. Peterson played an attacking center back. Derek was alone at the top of the pitch with his thoughts.

With a giant field and up a man, SAFC brought more heat. Jake is down!!! Jake is down!!!! Nut shot. Great defense. The bad guys were working the ball down the wings and flooding the box, trying to grab that winning goal. They came close a few times, but Jaybone made some incredible saves.

The Honey Badgers continued to soak up pressure. Danimal was huge at the back, showing true leadership with his calmness, heading of everything and big time clearances. He even gave Jefe a pineapple for his sideline over exuberance.

Jaybone made yet another great save….. only this one was on his own teammate as Chappy ran down an attacker and his last touch clearance was a pretty nice shot….straight at the Honey Badger net. Jaybone abides and saves the day yet again.

The 10 man wall was standing firm, but the attacks were getting fewer. But the Badgers were not happy with a point. Peterson pressed forward in “freelance mode.” Cameron Road earned a free kick about 40 yards out. Danimal and Chappy head to the box to wreak havoc. Peterson SENT IT into the box. Danimal occupied a few defenders as the ball bounced near Chappy who had a little work to do to get around the defender. Sliding shot off the outside left boot getting every inch of the extended size 13 Mizuno. GOAL. Badgers up 3-2 with under 10 minutes to play.

Defense rises to the occasion and turns back SAFC attack after attack. Ciro makes two huge Krakenesque clearances wearing his new red foot keychains.

Ref…. blow that whistle already. Game over. Badgers Win, finishing with 10 men. Epic performance as Cameron Road never trailed, against all odds.

Man-of-the-Match: Danimal was huge, Jake was lively, Derek got it started, Adam doubled the score, Billy was calm and silky, Jaybone made some killer saves, Peterson got the assist, Schwarzy and Ciro nailed down the center of the pitch, Jefe provided emotional support, Lil’Luke was handing out Coors, BT was solid in defense early on, and Chappy got the winner. A total team effort. Spirit of Honey Badger for Man of the Match.