Win! CRU 3 – Chopped Livers 2: Badgers Fight Back To Win On Opening Day

After a lackluster 2025/2026 season, the Honey Badgers were back in action for the opening round of the 2026/2027 season. It was an early morning matchup with Chopped Liverpool on the high plains of NEMP. An 8am game at NEMP can be tricky, especially after a dramatic, late night Longhorns victory, but Cameron Road was ready. The early morning light brought many good omens including a Nasty Nate sighting, two new Matts, and FIVE SUBS once Yunir got his car battery started. Magic.

The field was as large as the task was – get a W on opening day and start the season off strong. With four subs to start and Yunir on the way, things were looking good.

Things were also looking good on the pitch as “new Matt” slotted into central defense for his first action with most of the team. Adam set up his Dark Arts shop up top as Gianluca suited up. Jaybone was back after his summer hiatus in between the pipes. Andy filled in for Big Dave, as he was at home in Dripping Springs counting his bottles of bootleg bourbon. Ciro’s calf seemed to be functioning, and the rest of the lineup sorted itself out.

The Honey Badgers were looking good early on. Adam was making runs down the left, and Cameron Road was soaking up pressure at the back. Gigi and “old Matt” got into the game to inject some scappy hustle into the attack. Most of the joy for the Honey Badgers was coming from Gigi down the right, putting crosses into the box. Matt P came close to scoring as he exploded towards a rebound inside the 6 yard box but the keeper gobbled it up first.

Cameron Road was playing well, but somehow Liverpool got in behind and scored the opening goal. They scored another one off a counter attack as the Badgers had the ball deep in their territory and most of the tent (and the linesman too) were baffled at how they were losing at the half after having most of the ball all morning. Not to worry. Yunir preached the gospel of tiki-taka and everyone knew the goals were out there for the taking.

The second half started with Cameron Road camped out in the Liverpool half with Peterson and Yunir controlling the tempo as the attacks mounted up. The defense was doing a great job of pushing forwards and joining the attack. Billy was a constant threat down the left and Matt T was pushing up as well trying to out number Liverpool. The goal was coming, it was just a matter of time and Honey Badger patience.

Nate was back in mix and had a shot. Jake and his long legs danced through the defense to unleash a worm-burner. Adam and Matt P were applying the pressure. Parks was doing good things down the right flank. And the breakthrough finally came as Matt P stabbed home a scrappy goal from a rebound from inside the box! Same type of play he almost scored from in the first half. After that, the momentum was certainly with the Honey Badgers as they looked for more.

At the water break, Liverpool made a keeper change, but it didn’t help their cause. The Honey Badgers were smelling cobra blood.

After the game got restarted, Derek got the ball on the right and found Adam on the left. Derek crossed the ball over to the far post where Adam had to do a little bit of body contortion to latch onto the ball and stab it home for the tying goal! The Badgers were cooking now.

The final push was on and Cameron Road continued to park the bus in the Liverpool half. Applying more pressure, Derek pounced on a ball deep in enemy territory, and instead of being offside, he was clear on goal as the ball came off a defender. Chappy was on the left and made a run to the open net from the far side, hoping Derek would see him and cross the ball. Of course Derek did, whizzing the ball on the ground for Chappy to side foot into the net off The Bunion for the winner – a goal born straight from Wednesday night practice.

But there was still a little work to be done as Liverpool pressed for the tying goal. But CRU had Chris G, who was a heat-seeking missile at the back and was able to help thwart any enemy attacks.

The game ended with a rather unique sequence as Chappy came into central midfield for the final minutes, somehow managed to get the ball and nutmeg two defenders in a row at midfield with a clear run at goal… but the 50 yards ahead of him was a mountain too tall to climb to he poked it forward to Gianluca to run onto.

As the final whistle was heard, and the Honey Badgers celebrated a fantastic comeback after really controlling the game from the start. Great team effort and belief from the entire squad for a glorious opening day victory!

Man-of-the-Match: Let’s give it up for “New Matt” – Matt Tyler. First game after only meeting a handful of players at practice and he slots into central defense, plays 90 minutes, was super solid at the back and pushed up during the attack. Guillermo would be proud.

Man-of-the-Post-Match: Cheers to Jake for making a quick run for a 24-pack of Modelo.

Post-Match-Report: The mood was one of complete satisfaction after the win. Ciro stayed dry. Matt P shipped off to his 10am game. Nasty Nate jumped Yunir’s car battery. Jake bought beer. And the tent was witness to a bizarre Travis FC vs Old Boys game where both teams were wearing light blue jerseys and apparently the game got called off in the second half due to arguments. Crazy stuff and it’s only week 1!