CRU 1 – Austin Athletic Club 0
As backyard beer drinkers all across America took notice, Cameron Road United reeled off their second pint-powered 1-0 victory in a row against teams sponsored by clear liquors. Last weekend, it was the sorority house party Mike’s Hard Lemonade that felt the pub wrath; and this weekend it was Austin Athletic Club that payed the price for being sponsored by nightclub vodka that has more business in Maxim magazine than in a post-soccer match celebration.
Without mainstay Ryan Willis up front, Cameron Road got shorter, but gained 50 lbs up front as Ciro started in his place and should have earned CRU a penalty claim within the first five minutes when he was tripped and pushed from behind inside the box. Although no penalty (or even foul) was called by the ref, it set the attacking tone for the game. With that in mind, shortly after CRU worked the ball up from the midfield, where Billy played in a ball to Chap who played it out wide to Ciro. Ciro tracked the ball down in the corner and served up a perfect cross right in Luke’s wheelhouse for him to head at the Austin Athletic Club goal. Unfortunately the keeper saved the effort, but it was another great chance inside the box within the first few minutes of the game.
The match was proving to be a very tightly contested and heated affair, with both teams aggressively fighting for balls and committing fouls which held up play. Fortunately for CRU, Austin Athletic Club couldn’t capitalize on the 5-6 first half free kicks they received inside our final third. The defense stood strong as Big John, Crosley, Pat and Bob headed away waves of first half attacks and free kicks.
CRU came close again later in the first half when Bob burst down the right hand side and sent in a low cross to a sprinting Chap, but the keeper did well to charge the ball down and upend the captain.
Going into halftime, Cameron Road was showing some confidence from last week’s win, and knew that if they held strong, one goal might see them through to another victory.
With Leif, BT and Scott working the middle of the pitch, CRU began the second half looking for that all important goal. Big John, on what would have been a fitting on his last ever game for Cameron Road, came inches from scoring with a great headed effort off a corner kick. It would have been sweet justice for the faithful late-joining soldier, and a great way to send him off to North Carolina.
But Cameron Road’s breakthrough came about midway through the second half with a brilliant goal. Working the ball up through the middle of the pitch, the ball ended up with Scott, who sent in a majestic, curling shot into the top left corner to give CRU the lead. Fantastic effort from Scott who was already on tired legs from the 10K in the morning.
As Austin Athletic Club tried to claw it’s way back into the game, Cameron Road unleashed it’s secret defensive weapon on them – the O’Driscol Dragon. This fire-breathing, ankle-biting beast was a constant destructive influence on the fluidity of their play. For all the grief it took from the ref and the opposition, the Dragon had them thinking twice about advancing the ball without getting clattered and slowed down their passing to a crawl. Div 2 teams will fear the day when Cameron Road is able to release the Owens Kracken in tandem with the O’Driscol Dragon.
As the game wore down to the nub, Cameron Road actually had a few more chances to put the game to bed. Billy came inches away from latching onto a ball in the box to score, BT came close at the end of a multiple passing move deep in the Austin Athletic Club box, and Bob found himself one-on-one with the onrushing keeper after he was able to wrestle the ball clear at mid-field. Bob went for the cheeky chip over the keeper and ball went just wide, but it was a nice bit of skill and he almost pulled it off. Next time maybe try the Scorpion kick.
With minutes to go, an ‘all hands on deck’ defensive approach was taken but Austin Athletic Club actually came close with a rocket free kick off the bar and a header just wide at the final whistle.
At the end, Cameron Road fought hard and earned another deserved 1-0 victory.
Man-of-the-Match: When you run a 10K in the morning, show up and play 75 minutes of aggressive midfield, and score a brilliant winner – you’ve pretty much earned yourself the week’s honors. Congrats to Scott, our little pit bull.
Special Note: Yesterday was the last game for our good friend Big John. Although he’s only been playing with the team on an official basis for a a little while, he’s been a big part of the CRU Wednesday Night Crew for several years. We’re all sad to see him go, especially because he was a constant positive influence and great guy. Good luck in North Carolina big man – Cheers!
