WIN: 2-1 vs Beerca – Badgers Bounce Back Beating Beerca!

On an actual winter morning, with frost in the air and Ciro in need of a thick, wool blanket, the Honey Badgers got back to their winning ways with a 2-1 thumping of long-time friendly rivals, Beercalona.

Badgertown didn’t have a tent on this gray morning, but they did have some Badgers to welcome back into the fold with glee. Get ready to PUT IT UP because some military looking guy named Peterson was on site for his first action since “back stuff” took him out of the picture back in the Spring! Tuna Sandwiches, through balls and semi-predictable corner kicks were back! (although it might take him a few weeks to remember what order his shin guards, sleeves and socks go)

Ciro was once again suited up, hoping to make more of his time on the pitch than last week’s five minute cameo allowed him. Andy was also back for his second game straight and returned Jefe’s jersey (after picking it up last week). Willis and his flowing locks were also in attendance, hoping his Life Captain and Mentor Chappy would do something cringeworthy to make the trip worthwhile (success!!!)

Cameron Road has been in a bit of a slump the past few weeks and they were hoping to turn it around with a result against Beerca to cement their mid-table place before the big winter hibernation.

The Badgers were looking good early on. The Brians combined on a few one-twos on the right touchline, and they were having good luck getting the ball deep into Beerca territory. It didn’t take long for the game to be thrown into controversy as a Beerca player smacked a ball backwards from about 40 yards away, definitely not intended for the keeper. As Gianluca pumped those skinny legs into action and took chase, he knew he was either going to be able to get past the keeper, or if he handled it with would be an illegal back pass….. but……. NO CALL! Was nothing sacred, doesn’t anybody care about the rules, where was Jake to mansplain it all to the referee!? Beerca dodged the first bullet.

They then dodged a second bullet when Jefe went foraging for mushrooms outside the Badgers half and wound up in prime position to take a shot from the top of the box….. officials and city planners are still looking for the wayward ball.

When he wasn’t busy missing obvious calls, the referee was busy getting hit by the ball…. three times by games end setting some sort of unwanted record for his profession.

At the back, Danny was in a headed physical battle with “Tattooed Tony” – the muscular Beerca winger, but he was up to the task at right back. Jeff “Don’t call me Momoa” was using his trusty Aquaman trident to spear away the ball to safety while his central defensive partner Guillermo got forward.

Chappy got in deep looking for Gianluca, but his incredible, amazing, Flash-like speed caused him to be offside to the delight of Willis.

The Honey Badgers carved out a great chance when Derek came up with a fantastic, curling strike that the keeper pushed wide. It was some great stuff by both teams.

Peterson got into the mix and immediately started sending some tasty thru balls for Jesus to chase down. He also took his first corner kick in ages which was a welcome sight.

The break finally fell to the surging Badgers as Gianluca got the ball into Guillermo who ripped off a shot from the right side of the box. The keeper could only push it slightly wide, but a lurking Adam was Johnny on the Spot to tap in home for the 1-0 lead!

With the lead secure, the Badgers continued their good run of play and passing, but after scoring, Adam was running into some difficulties while getting knocked around. Beerca had obviously conjured the services of Professor Snape to defend against his Dark Arts.

To continue with our good friend Adam (who was also sporting a definitively fro-light new haircut), he brought a vintage crop of juicy oranges for halftime.

With the start of the second half, Beerca felt the need to push the issue a bit to try to get back into the game. They were more potent in attack, and the game started to have the familiar ebb and flow of the Over 40 soccer. Gigi was shooting, Andy was running into anything that moved, the referee was taking more shots with the ball, and Chappy completed part two of his Trilogy of Incompetence with a back pass straight to a Beerca attacker.

But the Cameron Road defense remained solid as a rock. It was looking like it was going to take something quite special to get Beerca on the scoresheet.

Enter something special. Tracking back on defense, Chappy was marking a Beerca attacker as he made his way to the box. With a cross in the air, the Cameron Road Captain tracked it like a hawk, making the necessary mental adjustments to register a hit on the Bald Dome of Power and send the cross to safety. A long-term build up of various dog medications must have jumbled the wires though, because his beautiful header sent the ball careening towards the top right corner of Jaybone’s net. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no no no no no.

1-1 Beerca and Chappy could only hid his shameful glance from Ryan and Jefe on the sidelines for so long. Mark an own goal off his CRU Bucket List (which still includes a hat trick, free kick goal, goal outside the box, red card, properly shotgunned beer and 100th icing of Ciro)

With renewed vigor, the Honey Badgers sought to save Chappy’s blushes by going full steam ahead. Within minutes, Parks managed to get the ball through to Gianluca down the center of the pitch. As the Beerca defenders let it roll through them, Gianluca was free with just the keeper to beat and sweet Italian Stallion he dinked it past him with his 42nd shot of the day! Chappy immediately dropped to his knees making any spiritual gesture he could to thank Gigi for putting the Badgers back on top 2-1.

But the game was far from over. Parks rumbled and stumbled down the right touchline, but regained his footing to add another cross to the mix. A two-legged Ciro surged forward on multiple occasions. Someone played Jesus down the left touch line and he was free on goal. With the keeper at his mercy, Jesus opted for the cheeky chip, but the shot just didn’t get the divine lift he was looking for and the excellent Beerca keeper survived yet again.

But as the game wound down, the final bits of Beerca frustration showed as some very large guys got into it with a very small guy from Cameron Road – but the Cutback Kid bows to no man!

Game over, much to the relief of one aging, bald Captain. Great win as the Badgers reverse the Beerca score from last time and get back to winning ways. There’s one more twist in the tale next week as they face another old time rival….. Celtic! Get your popcorn ready.

Man-of-the-Match – Great effort by all 15 Badgers in attendance! Yes, 15 with 4 subs! The back line was solid all day, the midfield was running and passing. The forwards did their part. But let’s give it up for Peterson who braved the treacherous I-35 traffic to be reunited with his brothers on the pitch. SEND IT 88!!