As usual, The Badgers were not going into this game expecting victory, and against the team placed second in the division, no one was taking anything for granted. However, spirits were raised when news broke that The Badgers could field a 6 man team! Smiles around The Badgers' camp increased as a record crowd (6) flocked to watch them attempt to win their second game of the season, knowing that if they did, records would be broken.
It seemed that everyone involved with The Badgers wanted to be part of the potential history making, as Charliey Carter turned up moments before kickoff, sensing something brilliant was about to occur. After a quick yet inspirational team talk from The Holy Management Triumvirate, the team seemed fired up and staggered out of the blocks.
Early play suggested an even game, and The Badgers spent a lot of time running after the ball and rebuffing attempted Cerveza attacks, but the signs were there that Badgers could match their opponents.
Much hustle and bustle from The Badgers seemed to be paying off, although no Badger attacks yielded any shots on target, or in fact, shots. In fact, Badgers seemed to be beginning to struggle to impose themselves on the match, and a period of Cerveza pressure led to stand-in goalkeeper Joshy Staniforth make some very solid saves and allowed the defensive qualities of Sammy Hamberger and Joey Panteli to shine through. Late in the half, Paddyy Bolton won a corner with some tenacious battling, but The Badgers were unable to capitalise on this moment of sustained pressure. Despite a long shot from Sammy Hamberger, the teams went into half time level at 0-0.
The whole team agreed at half time that the game was easily within their reach, and with some encouragement and advice from the fans (6!), The Badgers once again took to the field, but this time with desire and belief that they could win.
As Benny Wheatland jogged off the pitch to allow Joey Panteli to rejoin the action, The Badgers became more intrepid in their attacks, with team link ups down both wings suggesting that Badgers had more confidence this half. After a series of Badgers corners, Sammy Hamberger swapped with Benny Wheatland in a tactical move to capitalise on The Badgers' momentum.
And then it happened.
Charliey Carter found himself in possession in The Badgers' half of the pitch, and saw Benny Wheatland's run. He then played a sublime ball over the defence which Wheatland sprinted on to, before firing a shot towards the far post. The ball approached the Cerveza 'keeper, who could only flap at it. His touch, however, was not enough, and the ball struck the post before nestling itself neatly into the bottom corner of the net.
Bedlam. Those in the crowd (6!) went wild. Wheatland drew a 'J' in the air before being mobbed by his jubilant team-mates. During the ecstasy that ensued following a big, big goal for The Badgers, Sammy Hamberger was brought on to replace the tenacious Paddyy Bolton in order to preserve their precious lead for the final 4 minutes.
FC Cerveza were stung, as could be expected, and the last passage of play was spent defending epically, with Tonyy Breslin, Joshy Staniforth and Sammy Hamberger all making delightful last-ditch challenges. Even Benny Wheatland mucked in at the back, with a slide tackle that missed both ball and man, as the Cerveza played looked on bemusedly. Some time wasting saw out the final seconds of the game, and at the call of "TIME" from Chrissy Wheatland, scenes of jubilation ensued.
The 1-0 victory meant Badgers leapt to third in the division, still in contention to qualify for the knock-out stages of the competition, an unprecedented level of success for any Badger squad. It was also the first 1-0 win in Badgers' history, the first time Reservoir Badgers FC had won two games in a season, and guaranteed that for the first time ever, and on their own merit, The Badgers would not finish bottom of the division!
The Badgers this season have excelled and hope to continue their good form into the last match of the season against Teenage Mutant Ninja Merkels.
