Summer Game #4 – 5-1 Win vs Age-Appropriate Chopped Liverpool!

7:55 Sunday morning…. 5 Badgers, no tent, no ball. 9:45 Sunday morning…. 13 Badgers, multiple balls, a green tent, popsicles, beer, and a glorious victory!

Once the game started and Badgers were seen jogging down to the pitch, a full squad was assembled. Conor arrived just in time to set up the tent and be the one sub, until Adam appeared with oranges in hand to give CRU two on the bench.

Chopped Liverpool were coming at The Honey Badgers for the opening 15 minutes of the game, but CRU was fine with defending as the humidity soaked everyone like one of Luke’s Grandmother’s biscuits sopping up some steamy gravy.

Needing some redemption at left back from last week, Chappy was putting in some successful slide tackles that would make Big Dave proud while Peterson was back in action beside him in central defense. Nolan was making some key first half saves to set the tone as he started to settle into his summer dorm room between the pipes.

Yunir was also back to team up with Schwarzy in the center of the park with Ciro out. From the get-go, Yunir was balling, and his ball handling and decisive passes were on display as the Badgers struck first blood. From the Pack, 88 pushed forward and got the ball over to Yunir who had an ex-Dragon mind meld with Derek on the right side of the box. Yuni’s perfect ball found Derek who took the keeper to the far post with a drilled shot to get him back on-target and gave the Badgers a 1-0 lead.

Yunir would again be in the mix as he got the ball to Andy just outside the edge of the box on the left. With a few moves to give himself some space, Andy unleashed an amazing shot that curled perfectly to the top right corner of the box, giving the keeper no chance. 2-0 Honey Badgers.

If that wasn’t enough first half excitement, the Badgers found themselves on another assault at the Liverpool goal, working the ball down the right. Adam was on the left and took his time drifting towards the back post as Derek got the ball to him. Instead of letting the ball bounce off a random body part, Adam thought he was Andy and dropped a right footed bomb to the near post past the keeper.

3-0 and the Honey Badgers were flying!

Properly sourced oranges were back at halftime unlike last weekend’s leather covered juice orbs. Chappy was giving out iced water baptisms to keep folks cool.

The Honey Badgers started the second half one sub down as Peterson got Gemstoned by Danny McBride near the end of the first half and f’ed up his shoulder.

Just like the opening of the first half, Chopped Liverpool were on the hunt for goals for the first 15 minutes of the second. With Chris out, Pete slotted back into central defense after also playing on the wing and in the center. He was a regular Roy Kent out there and would up wherever and Irish Pirate was needed.

Schwarzy was also dropping deep, and he and Yuni were always available for the defense to find for a pass.

Chopped Liverpool did have one youngster who was a good player, but for the most part Cameron Road bottled him up. He did manage to send in a cross from the left which turned into a shot mid-air and nestled into the top corner to give them a lifeline at 3-1. With the apparent shift of momentum, Chopped Liverpool were hoping to get back into the game, but the Honey Badgers quickly moved to shut any thought of that down with another goal soon after.

Another break and the Badgers were on the move. Andy was on the right and his shot was pushed back out where Adam was waiting to pounce at his customary spot at the back post. 4-1 and back to a 3 goal lead!

If that wasn’t enough, the Badgers were back on the move and the ball ended up with Conor on deep on the left side of the box and his chip found Derek at the back post to simply nod in with his head at the back post. Yes, that was Derek scoring a header!

With a 5-1 lead, the game was all but wrapped up. Nolan did have a spectacular save to push a hard shot over the bar late. Billy took a beating as his foot was stomped, but the referee said some of his only words during the game as he told the Scotsman “not another word!” Chappy decided that was a good moment to chime in as he “told” the ref to “just call a foul!” – earning him a yellow card much to the chagrin of Guillermo and Yunir.

At the end of the day, it was another enjoyable game with Chopped Liverpool and the Honey Badgers showed some serious spirt and grit to dominate the scoreline with a limited bench. Looking forward to a stocked sideline to occupy the new and improved Badger Town next game as she’s getting a new coat of paint. Just wait.

Man-of-the-Match: Yunir was at his best Sunday. Always available for a pass. Light on his feet with the ball and able to switch play and play in strikers. Two assists, no cards and some midfield domination earned him this week’s honors. On any other day, it could have been Derek with 2 goals and an assist, and Adam with 2 goals and oranges.

Man-of-the-Post-Match: a tent, popsicles and a beer run…. you can’t ask for anything more from Conor!