CRU 1 – Struggle FC 1

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

The Good: Our points steak continued for the 5th straight game.
The Bad: Marcus went down with a possible ACL injury early in the first half.
The Ugly: We let Struggle back into the game with minutes to go.

It sure seemed like we were already deep into the summer season with sunny skies, green grass and boiling temperatures, but it made for a good match between CRU and Struggle FC yesterday afternoon. This game was pretty evenly matched from the get-go, with both teams playing well this season and looking for points. 

Struggle had the best opportunity to score early on when they sent a booming free kick on goal but Jay made a good save to push it over. It seemed like we took about 10 minutes or so to settle into the game, but like the game 2 weeks ago vs. The Strikers, we got an early goal and had to sit on it. Someone sent in a corner kick and both Andy and myself tried to get a head on it, but rising tallest and smashing it home was Cuyler. AKA the big man in the tight shirt. Great header from our newest defender and we were up 1-0. 

Pushing for a second, BT had two hard shots from the midfield miss the target, and Struggle were having troubles shutting us down in the midfield. A great burst from Onome also gave them some problems. When he’s out there and able to break free from the back, he can be a nightmare for the other team. 

Unfortunately, another attack from the right hand side ended in disaster when Marcus was screaming down the flank and tried to cut the ball back… his knee buckled underneath him and he knew he had torn it up pretty good. Initial prognosis is a torn ACL, medial meniscus and a fractured tibia! Let’s all hope he recovers as fast as he runs. 

Going into the second half, we still hung onto our slim lead, but continued to press for a second. Luke fizzled a shot just wide, Willis nearly doubled us up with some fancy footwork in front of the goal and Billy lobed a Clark Field special that just narrowly missed BT’s boot for a sure winner. 

With the likes of Bob, Onome, Cuyler, Billy and Crosley holding tight in the back and turning away all of the Struggle attacks, it was looking like we were going to hang onto the 3 points. But then we gave up an unfortunate penalty in the dying minutes to let them back into the game. But if you think that’s where the drama ended, well, you better check yo-self. 

With seconds left in the game, Peterson corralled a Struggle defender in the corner and for some reason he ended up passing it to the middle of the 18 yard box. The ball went by Billy, who was trying to trap it, and right into my path as I 1-timed it… just over the crossbar. Should have done better, but the point we earned could be crucial for us when the season ends.

Man-of-the-Match: You gotta give it to Cuyler this week. I mean, the guy scored a great header, played great D,  and managed to not get a yellow card – All this while being crammed into Ciro’s size small jersey.