’26 Summer Game #6

Lots of pre-game text talk about numbers for this one, but when it all shook out, Cameron Road had 3 subs in the tent including a surprise appearance from long, lost Jefe! Andy was also back from Scott Merritt’s wedding in France, still woking him over for a possible return to action for the upcoming season.

There was dueling misters to go with two tents, but damn, it was hot and humid for a 10am affair.

With Nolan on the way, Danimal started in goal, and made an excellent early save…. from Billy. The Caledonian’s were an Over 40 Premier team with a bunch of Over 30 Premier players added to the mix, and they were a tough opponent. Especially the front line. But early in the game, the Cameron Road makeshift defense was up to the task with Andy and Sir Brian Parks in the middle.

Nolan got between the pipes at the water break, and the defense shuffled around him with Father protecting son.

After taking the brunt of the action defending, Cameron Road struck first blood with a classic counter attack as Ruben fired off a shot from the right that the keeper spilled out into Derek’s path to tuck home from the far post for goal #103! Things were looking better with a goal in their pocket and some subs on the sideline, but the Caledonians slipped in behind the D and their star forward grabbed a tying goal.

They got another one, which was clearly offside by a mile, but the referee wasn’t kidding when he said he couldn’t see so good before the game. Tough break.

It might have been 2-1 at the half, it might not have been. Who can remember. The only thing one can remember was that the oranges were tough and under-ripe. Still, they did their job, delivering crucial flavonoids and restorative properties.

The bench was getting thinner for the start of the second half as Ciro’s blown calf was acting up and Andy’s shoulder was hurting. No worries with more defensive shuffling. Danimal was having a great game at the back and also was booming free kicks.

Cameron Road wasn’t able to get forward much, but when they did, it was mostly Ruben, Derek and Conor pulling the strings. A few more goals went in before the water break, including one that might have involved some sketchy Caledonian subbing during play. Summer ball in full swing.

After the water break, the Honey Badgers enjoyed their best 10 minute spell of the game with most of the action in the opponent’s half. There was good stuff happening as Yunir popped off a shot. Ruben got in deep and looked for an open Chappy a the back post, but couldn’t quite get the cross to travel to the bunion. Conor sent in a beautiful cross from the left to the Bald Dome of Power, but Chappy still had it calibrated for defensive clearances and sent it wide. Rubin got in deep again and was going to work the ball to Billy on the right, but got tied up. He also let loose a long-range effort.

After that brief flash in the pan, it was back to mostly defending. Caledonians stuck again with a long-range bomb to beat Nolan, and thankfully that was all she wrote.

The post game was great, as usual.

Two more games to go to close out another blistering summer season.

Man-of-the-Match: Danimal had himself a nice game at the back with an early save and then lots of defensive action.