WIN: 4-1 vs Old Boys – No Tent, No Subs, No Problem
As summer continued to cling to Onion Creek for one last weekend, the field was sweltering like a Cinnabon oven. Badgertown was unusually tentless and sub-free. But there was a cool spider sighting. Usually, a lack of subs could pose a problem on a hot day, but as the Ol’Boys gathered up on the sidelines it was clear that they not only lacked subs, but the necessary players to round out a full squad. They started the game with 9 players, finished with 8, and were never in the game from the opening whistle.
To say Cameron Road controlled the game was an understatement. With the Ol’Boys overmatched, the Honey Badgers defense pushed up to the half line and acted like a secondary midfield. Everyone was getting forward. Jefe had some nice runs down the right side, Andy was parked deep in the opponent’s half instead of at left back, Danimal and Jeff Z were always available and pushing the ball forward from midfield. And Jay was, we’ll, probably bored and talking with the spider.
In the actual midfield, Ciro and Nasty Nate were in control of the game in the center of the pitch, always available, and moving the ball around to try and get past the back line. On the wings, Adam and Jake pushed forward as well with little resistance.
Up top, Chappy continued to get into good positions, only to toe-poke the attempts to safety, but Gigi was looking a real threat to score at any moment.
With his family on the sidelines though, it was Andy who popped up first with a close-range goal to start the scoring, followed quickly by Danimal charging forward to jam home goal number two from close range.
More Honey Badger dominance followed to round out the half, and then the team descended upon the sideline to enjoy the customary orange or two.
The Ol’Boys lost another player at the half and were down to 8 men and the game was effectively over. The Honey Badgers released Jaybone into the wild after the water break, and were basically parking 7-8 men in front of the Ol’Boy goal as the feeding frenzy continued up until the final whistle. Rather than a play by play of the rest of the game, here are some individual highlights:
Jaybone – swapped with Jake in the second half, got into the mix, came close with a shot or two
Daminal – pushed up high, scored a goal, was a dual threat all day and was pineapple free
Jeff Z – impressive at the back, which was more up at the front, provided quality service all day and had a shot at goal, which smashed into a defender’s dome
Andy – halfback or forward? You decide. Scored a goal and was in an offside competition with Chappy all day long
Jefe – Didn’t bring tent, brought offense instead, nice cross to Bald Dome of Power, hit by sniper in first half run
Jake – secured the wing, fell down, took the bullet for Jaybone in the keeper swap, showed excellent sportsmanship by letting the Ol’Boys score with their only venture past the half line
Adam – oranges, chances, and a post game fog
Ciro – great game from the little midfield engine. 2 assists, several shots, always on the ball, stole Jay’s ball in front of goal, left the post game very, very wet.
Nasty Nate – moved into the middle to partner with Ciro. Tough as nails, kept the ball and his second half shot is probably still traveling up to the stars.
Chappy – Scored two goals which were both ruled offside, missed 3 more due to general incompetence, redeemed himself by icing Ciro
Gigi – just a typical day for the Italian marksman as he netted two more goals and came inches away from a hat trick. With 9 goals in 4 games, he’s pretty much unstoppable.
In the end, the final score was 4-1, but it was the most lopsided 4-1 you’d ever see with the Honey Badgers carving out 20+ chances to the Ol’Boys 1. Another good day at the office but there are tougher days ahead.
Man-of-the-Match: With 2 assists and a helluva game as the Badger’s midfield engine, Ciro took the weekly honors. Also took his double icing like a champ.
