CRU 3 – Austin International 5
So they were all dead, and the flash-sideways were supposed to be purgatory? What about the temple people that got introduced at the beginning of the season? What about the giant lizard-head statue, what about the island being under water? Oh wait, wrong season finale. The Cameron Road season ended not with a whimper, but a bang, as the boys in red tried to stave off a trip to D3 in the fall, but fell short in a 6 goal second half flurry.
It was another hot afternoon out at Onion Creek, but the fields were eerily empty as the weekend was used for season-ending make-up games. Cameron Road fielded a strong squad with 3 subs, but were missing key players Willis, Pat, Crosley, Vestre, Cuyler and the O’Driscol Dragon. The first 10 minutes started well for CRU, there was some crisp passing but an early Chappy shot in the box went just wide. (if you consider the length of a VW Bug just wide)
As the half wore on, Jay was routinely called into action, making save after save. But the pressure from Austin International was mounting and they eventually ended up with 2 goals in the back of the net. Needing to win the game to stay up in the division, Cameron Road were looking a bit leg weary at halftime.
As the second half started to play out, Austin International again seemed in control of the match, but just like last weekend, Andy popped up on the right side of the box with loads of space. As the keeper rushed out to meet him, he flicked the ball by him and watched it roll ever so slowly into the back of the net to throw out a lifeline to Cameron Road. There was still a tall mountain to climb, but Andy had just provided the crampon for the team to start scaling it with.
After some more back and forth, it was Steve Mckenna’s turn to save the day as the gathered the ball on the right hand side of the box, bobbed and weaved all the way to the left side and finally lashed out a left-footed shot that beat the keeper and tied up the game. An amazing goal from the hard-working forward from Liverpool.
At 2-2 with 25 minutes yet to play, the momentum was shifting towards Cameron Road as they again struck gold and took a fleeting hold onto D2. As Chappy was fouled chasing down a ball on the left the referee awarded a free kick. BT stepped up and whipped in a beautiful kick that floated into the top right corner and momentarily completed CRU’s miraculous comeback from the dead. Luke almost doubled their lead with a close range strike, but the eloquent ad man from Oklahoma pushed the shot just wide. Ciro also had a dazzling run down the right hand side, but the fourth goal was proving hard to come by.
And then Jack and Sawyer, Sayid, Kate and the rest of the bunch ate donuts and danced a jig as the white light flooded in and they all went to a ‘better place’…. oh, wait, wrong finale again. Well, unlike LOST, this season didn’t come with a happy ending as Austin International eventually scored 3 late goals to seal the victory and crash Cameron Road’s D2 party, but everyone involved was proud of the effort and comeback.
This year proved to be quite a battle, but there are many victories ahead for the soon to be yellow and blue army. Cheers everyone, enjoy your summer vacation and well-deserved one week off. We’ll see you back on the pitch in a fortnight.
Man-of-the-Match: Since Andy Michaelis actually scored on a breakaway this week unlike last Sunday AND he somehow managed to buy some royal blue shorts weeks ahead of out new uniforms debut date AND he brought chips and delicious salsa, the award is a no brainer.