LOSS: CRU 1 – Beerca 4 – Beerca Take Down Badgers On Opening Day

The 2026 campaign kicked off yesterday at Onion Creek on a crisp, February afternoon. While many things were the same, some things were different: Andy arrived early, Guillermo was sporting a beard, Parks had hair, a lot of hair, and Big Dave was well on his way to becoming Medium Dave.

With 4 subs in the tent, Cameron Road was looking at a solid squad to face Beerca and the opening 20 minutes reflected that with the Badgers controlling play.

The Honey Badgers were camped out in the Beerca half early on. Andy was working the ball well down the right side, trying to dump in crosses. Cameron Road was getting frisky when Ciro won the ball back on the left side and got the ball to Chappy, whose new socks played in Derek down the left side of the box. Derek did the rest and put the ball past the Beerca keeper for the opening goal of the season and an early lead. After that, the Badgers continued to push and tried to increase their lead. Gianluca had a few shots and Schwary hit one just over the bar.

Things were looking good. Until they weren’t.

Danimal was the unlucky recipient of a scorpion boot to the lip, and after many bloody and tense moments, he was forced to pack up shop to get his lip sewn up. Down a sub, the momentum started to shift to Beerca as they fought back and their star forward dropped in two goals.

With plenty of fight still left in them, the Badgers huddled in the tent at halftime for oranges, knowing that they were creating lots of chances.

With the second half underway, Cameron Road tried to get back into the game. Peterson, Schwarzy and Ciro were taking turns running the middle of the pitch. There were moments of good play as the Honey Badgers continued to create chances. Peterson and Billy worked a nice training ground short corner. Guillermos’s shot was nearly spilled by the Beerca keeper for Chappy to pounce on. Derek was cutting back. But the goals just weren’t coming.

And with the Badgers pressed up high hunting goals, a Beerca attacker slid down the middle of the field and dropped in goal number three.

Nearing the end of the game, Beerca scored a fourth as Ritchie the Dragon drilled in a shot after a breakaway as the Badgers offensive struggles continued. To add insult to injury, Schwarzy hit the near post.

It could have been worse though, as the Beerca forward barreled towards goal unattended, Jaybone had to come out and make a business decision, taking him down. But he quickly made one of the plays of the game as he dove right and stopped the resulting penalty kick.

In the end, the score flattered Beerca, but the Badgers just couldn’t convert all their chances.

Man-of-the-Match: Andy was early to the game, played midfield and defense, had blue shorts, and provided his captain with a non-alcoholic IPA