Tough Day at the Office as 10 Men Cameron Road Fall to Austin Athletic Club by 3 Goals

The starting defensive lineup for today’s game read: Luke at keeper, Crosley at left back, Willis and Dermot in the middle, and Chappy at right back. A very unorthodox selection for sure, but one born out of necessity as Cameron Road only had 10 players available to face Austin Athletic Club. Way, Ciro, Barnaby and Z manned the midfield, and Gianluca prowled up top by himself, hoping to nick a goal.

As the first half started, the hellish NEMP wind gusted 20mph into the faces of the Honey Badgers, acting as a 12th man for Austin Athletic Club. For most of the half, Cameron Road tried to suck up all the pressure and clear the ball to safety. The new defensive lineup held it’s ground with Willis acting as the quarterback, but it was AAC who broke the goalless tie to get on the board. As they won a corner kick on the left side, the ball whipped in and swung in towards goal. As Luke back peddled and Chappy got to the line, the ball sailed over both and into the back of the net with a little umph from the back of Chappy’s head. A harsh own-goal for the usually sure- headed #7.

Although it was mostly a team defensive effort for the first half, Cameron Road did have a few trips to the other half as Gianluca got closest to goal with a long run, and Dermot tried to test the keeper from distance against the wind.

With most of the possession, AAC again looked for an opening to double the score. Luke was called into action often, and it was tough going trying to clear any goal kicks into “Satan’s breath” that was blowing against him.

As the half came to a close, AAC looked to be off side as a ball was played into one of their forwards lurking beyond the Cameron Road back line. Chappy tried to make up the ground and head the ball to safety, but again, the wind and the bounce of the ball conspired against him and the AAC player was able to head in from close range. 2-0 at the half.

Trying to regroup on the sidelines, the 10 weary Honey Badgers licked their wounds – although it turned out Way was feeling very wonky-eyed from a hard blow to the head during the first half. He shifted back to right defense and played well before removing himself from the game for good after taking another bad blow. Kudos to him for sticking it out as long as he could.

It seemed as though the winds that CRU were hoping to use for their comeback had mystically died down in the second half, and it was AAC who regained most of the pressure and continued their assault, although the Cameron Road makeshift defense held strong. Willis was everywhere, Dermot was a constant force and pest to any attacker, Crosley was as sure as ever, and Way did his best with one eye.

Barnaby and Ciro tried to get things going from the center of the pitch, and released Z and Gianluca on a few occasions, but unfortunately nothing came of the attacks.

As AAC won a free kick with a little diving embellishment, their “Mad Russian” Tim pumped in a very Cuyleresque free kick to go up 3-0.

With Way taking himself out of the game, and Dermot being shown a double dose of yellow, it was down to 8 men for Cameron Road. They buckled down of defense and took their opportunities on the counter attack. Willis actually come close at the death with a mad run into the box and his chip went over the bar… but did manage to score a field goal. Unfortunately, the 3 points were not given.

In the end, an understrength Cameron Road squad reduced to 8 men did well to only allow one goal from open play against a hoard of Austin Athletic players. Fortunately, revenge is on the agenda as they are CRU’s first opponent at next week’s Austin Fall Cup.

Man-of -the-Match: A co-award this week as Luke easily gets a piece for stepping up in goal, but he is joined by Ryan Willis who played sweeper (or stopper… who the hell knows the difference) for the first time since 8th grade and did a fine job (as well as bringing the beer).