WIN: 2-1 vs Celtic Cowboys – No Luck of the Irish on St Paddy’s Weekend for Celtic as Badgers Pour Over Their Green Beer In Favor of Modelo

Just when you thought summer was here, Austin decided to throw one last cold front into the mix – sending Ciro and his delicate core temp in search of warmer climates. There were other notable missing Badgers as Gianluca decided to take Adam’s ’03 Accord on a road trip with Guillermo, and Jefe was in ColoRADo, most likely bring back a load of fire wood…. or something else that creates smoke. On the positive side, the Badgers welcomed back Brian Parks and there was an Andy Michaelis sighting complete with two kiddos and a very gray beard. Speaking of kiddos, Big Dave had a little BBQ partner in tow to watch over his slow and low ribcage.

Andy’s first action were some dodgy cross field back-ish passes from his left back position. But after that, he proceeded to win 50-50 balls all over the field and settle into a groove. The team could use some more Michaelis sightings.

The Badgers received a drop ball at the top of the box for some Celtic infraction. Danny asked the referee if he could shoot it, the ref said yes, so Danny hit the volley on the bounce and nearly dropped it into the back of the net for an early goal. He sure has brought his shooting boots as of late.

As the weather heated up slightly into a beautiful day, the match started without a decent ball, but not to worry, the Badgers were kicking around whatever was on the pitch and controlling the play in the opening 20 minutes. Parks came out for Chappy, who had a quality chance as Peterson whipped in a beautiful corner kick that was headed to the Bald Dome of Power at the back post…. somehow, the only connection the ball made was with Chappy’s neck meat. Should have been 1-0.

Big Dave came into the game at right back to test out his sore ribs, and he sure seemed fine as he pushed X on the controller and busted out a perfectly timed sideline slide tackle in front of his brisket-loving daughter.

Adam and his dark arts were all over the field being a general nuisance to any Celtic Cowboy with the ball as he dove in to break up play at any opportunity.

The Badgers had to defend some Celtic attacks though, and off a corner kick rebound one of their attackers drove in a shot from outside the box that flew true and gave them the 1-0 lead early on.

Not to worry, Badgers don’t panic. They kept up the pressure with Jesus and Derek attacking from the front of the line. Nate got into the game and killed a flock of birds with his opening shot. (also making the classic mistake of saying at halftime “I hope nobody remembers that”…. which ensured it will be remembered by his great great grandchildren and preserved for all of history on the website)

Chappy came in for Jesus up top, and received a great ball in the center of the park where he saw Jake down the pitch to his right with acres of space. Chappy led Jake with a nice pass from his new dragon-scale boots, and the big man did the rest with a great run, driving the ball forward into the box were he had an appointment with his best friend…. gravity. He was taken down from behind by a last-ditch Celtic defender, earning the Badgers a clear cut penalty.

Derek absolutely smashed it home to the keeper’s right to bring the Badgers back level at 1-1. With the clock winding down, the Badgers took the lead for good when the Celtic keeper popped off one of his wayward punts straight to Jesus whose first time volley into the back corner gave Cameron Road a 2-1 lead at the stroke of halftime.

Oranges and no brisket.

The second half was full of action, but no goals, which suited the Honey Badgers just fine. From the right, Nate was itching to get another shot on target, which he did, and it was much closer than his first attempt. He also had is hands full (literally) with Dragon, as he attempted to ride him like Daenerys Stormborn in order to prevent a rush towards the Badger goal.

Dave had a classic moment as he cleared a ball from the Badger end and smacked it off his tree.

Celtic were bombing balls over the midfield all half, trying to get behind the Badger back line, but Billy, Jeff, Danny, Andy and Big Dave were having none of it as they kept the slender lead intact.

At the other end, the Badgers were looking for another goal, and there were some ping-pong moments in front of the Celtic goal but nothing else got through to the back of the net.

So the Badgers got back on track with a quality 2-1 win vs Celtic in what was a very pleasant match, as opposed to the last game. And what did the Badgers get as a reward for their victory…. a wonderful 8am game at NEMP up next!

Man-of-the-Match: Andy was back for his semi-yearly appearance and after a little shaky start was a straight up battering ram in defense.