CRU 4 – Massive Attack 3

Cameron Road United made their sacrifice to the tree line with a  4-3 thrilling victory against Massive Attack today, paying their respects to the looming arbor-filled backdrop and serving notice to the rest of D2 that they will not bow out of this season, let alone another division, quietly.

It was a very hot and humid day and a good portion of the team appeared to be suffering from the ill effects of a few adult beverages the night before, courtesy of the Beers of the World Festival in north Austin. Still, Cameron Road came out in force and welcomed back a few key defensive cogs as Cuyler and Crosley returned to the back line. For the second week in a row, Cameron Road’s depth on the sidelines had a big impact in the game’s outcome since Massive Attack didn’t have any subs available.

CRU stuck first blood when a Steve McKenna was barged down inside the box on a corner kick. The referee pointed to the spot, and as predicted right here in last week’s report, Steve opened his scoring account with a well placed shot tucked nicely in the bottom right hand side of the goal. After catching a little bit of the early momentum with the opening goal, Cameron Road pushed for the second. Luke had several close moments inside the Massive Attack box, and Andy Michaelis was seen skipping by players down the left hand side with an uncustomary fleet-footed style directly opposite of his usual A-to-B sledge hammer approach. Whatever caused the change in Andy’s style was paying dividends as he was able to get deep inside the Massive Attack defense and deliver some close crosses.

The second Cameron Road goal was an absolute peach. Andy went on another great run down the left and ended up digging up a Clark Field special bicycle kick pass to Chappy who, with back to goal, flicked the ball onto Peterson on the edge of the box. Chris proceeded to send 8 months of knee surgery frustration sailing into the back corner of the net with a fantastic strike. An absolute cracker of a goal that could only have been made more special had he been rocking his jeans shorts.

Knowing that they were in a dog fight, Massive Attack wasn’t backing down, even at 0-2. Their Danish task master was barking out orders to his squad all afternoon; obviously the wisest man on the pitch. A man full of answers. A man full of the best ideas. A man full of Scott/Leif and Cuylers boots on his heals all day. A man full of himself. He watched as Massive Attack sent in a corner kick that seemed to go out of bounds over the goal. As Massive Attack poked in a header, there were words with the referee about the flight of the ball previous to the goal, but it looked like it was going to stay and they were back in the game.

The half ended with a cry that hadn’t been heard at Onion Creek in several weeks. A play that started from deep within the woods as the sounds of logs being snapped in half could be heard. “Release the Kracken!” was the cry and the great beast started his run from the back and screamed “ssseeeenNNNNDDD MEEE.” As Cuyler went barreling down the left hand side at full gallop, Steve McKenna was able to release him. Although the run ended up out of bounds, the crowd roared with approval as the pearly white shoes made their return to the back line. It’s good to have Cuyler back on the field.

At half time, the heat was stifling. Most tried not to move as sweat soaked through their jerseys, hoping for some relief in the weather. Although the forecast storms didn’t materialize from the sky, the second half proved to be a tornado of action (ok, not my best metaphor). Scott was really asserting himself in the center of the pitch winning balls and battles with the Massive Attack front line. Andy continued his runs up the right hand side, Way was active on the left. Crosley got deep down the wings a few times to provide more attacking options, and Steve and Ryan tried to make something happen further up the field. The first break came to Andy, as he was sent free in on goal from 40 yards out. With a man closing him down from behind, he took a touch before trying to cut the ball back and lost it just before he was able to fire a shot on goal. Great effort, and several minutes later Andy got another crack at goal and this time wouldn’t miss the opportunity to fire in a shot that unfortunately went just wide.

Massive Attack received a break later in the half. Off a corner kick, the ball skimmed off a Cameron Road defender’s arm as it sailed out of bounds, but the referee decided to award them a penalty kick. Not a great call to say the least, and they were able to convert the spot kick and tie up the score at 2-2.

With things heating up in the center of the pitch and Massive Attack playing a very high trap, Cameron Road was able to unleash their counter attack with devastating results. At the half line, Chappy got the ball and was able to release Steve McKenna who ran onside, beating the trap, clear in on goal. Steve probably could have scored, but instead he gave it up to his wingman Scott who was running with him on the left. Scott cooly slotted the ball home with his new blue boots and Cameron Road was again in the lead and thinking victory.

Knowing that a one goal lead might not be enough on this day, Cameron Road continued to attack and press and didn’t fall back into an entirely defensive shell. This paid dividends when Ryan got the ball on the right hand side, juked and jived a few defenders, and played in a ball to on onrushing Chappy inside the box. The ball bounced in front of a Massive Attack defender and Chappy was able to use a Michael Irvin “Playmaker Special” swim move to get around the defender and head the ball into the back of the net, narrowly avoiding the post. As it turns out Cameron Road would need all 4 goals on this day to secure the victory.

With 10 minutes to go, the Massive Attack offense slipped through the cracks and netted, making for a tense end of the game. But with BT, Ciro, McKenna and Scott milking the clock and making penetrating runs, and Bob and David getting rid of anything that came into the defense, CRU was able to kill off the game and secure their second win in two weeks with an impressive 4-3 victory.

The treeline nodded in approval.

Man-of-the-Match – Sporting Liverpool underwear and a never-say-die attacking style, Steve McKenna scored the first goal and set up the third for this award winning performance.