Third Time Unlucky

Wankas FC suffered their third straight defeat of the season on Sunday at the hands of Achievers. Playing with only 11 men, and occasionally reduced to 10 for short periods due to knocks throughout the game, WFC showed heart and resilience as they repeatedly absorbed the Achievers attack and played a smart, ball-control counter. WFC defended in numbers, did much better to keep the ball once possession was won, and managed several quickfire forays up the other end. But once again a lack of additional personnel would be their undoing. Confidently closing out the half 0-0, fatigue ultimately set in and led to players being caught in possession and offering up off-the-mark passes. Forced to defend in numbers inside their own box, a deflected shot would end up at the feet of an Achievers attacker who volleyed home. At 1-0, though, WFC continued to mount counter-attacks as the game opened up. But a failure to convert their occasional opportunities led to breaks the other way. A long swerving and dipping shot managed to squeeze under the crossbar to make it 2-0, and that seemed to really take the remaining wind out of the WFC sails. A late, ragged third goal inflated the scoreline to 3-0, but the WFC players on the field did themselves proud. If the remainder of the roster shows the same heart and confidence as displayed by those on Sunday, victories will soon arrive for WFC.

Special thanks to stand-in goalkeeper Jeff Schroeder, who had several terrific saves and deputized ably.

WFC Lose 2nd in a Row

WFC continued their struggling start to the Fall 2009 season with a second successive defeat that owes as much to a surprising lack of depth as anything else. The players in attendance worked hard for 90 minutes, but they had little to show for their efforts. After some strong efforts and a few desperate moments of defending, the game was tied 0-0 at the half and poised delicately. Unfortunately, ISC AmaBhubesi were able to elevate their game more quickly than the Wankas, and after a few sustained attacks their breakthrough finally came. What appeared initially to be an innocuous through-ball grounder managed to elude both Aaron Gordon and Jeff Graham before finding an unmarked attacker at the back post. WFC tried to bounce back, and it should be noted that they did indeed have a few opportunities to climb back into the game. However, some "interesting" officiating decisions (which affected both teams, to be fair) culminated in a soft second yellow for their stand-in midfielder, which further limited WFC options. The scoreline soon ballooned to 3-0 as the tiring force of WFC began to budge against the continuous AmaBhubesi attacks. Ross Kenyon had the best opportunity to bring WFC back into the game, but as he raced clear of the offside trap and approached the goalie, his shooting boots let him down and his shot spooned just high and wide. A late concession from a set-piece due to Aaron's poor instructions and switching made the final scoreline 4-0.

WFC should eventually see many of their absentees returning, and this will hopefully go a long way toward them showing a more flowing and energetic side. No team can hope to play 90 minutes of defensive, counter-attacking football with only a couple subs, so the return of the missing is highly anticipated.

WFC will try to right their ship next Sunday (9/27, 1:00pm) at Lawrence Park versus Achievers. Please come out and support the yellow-and-black!

Long Opening Day for WFC

Wankas FC had an inauspicious beginning to their Fall 2009 campaign as they dropped their season opener at their new Kuntz home field 5-1. And truth be told, were it not for the acrobatics of Jeff Graham the scoreline could have been far worse. Much of the game was played in the WFC end, and their overall performance was reflected in the margin of the loss.

WFC were on the back foot from the opening kick, mustering only a few early-game forays into the ISC Falcons half. A surprising number of absences contributed greatly to the outcome, but a failure to communicate and mark among the midfield and defence was the real culprit. Midfielders failed to track runs, and defenders were beaten too easily on the dribble. At the other end, what few chances were created were not taken with sharpness and poise. This was a team loss, with only the goalkeeper able to claim the high ground.

The WFC goal did come through some good movement. Coming at 3-0, it provided a little life to a team looking devoid of creativity. A short throw on the left sideline came back to Aaron Gordon, who served an in-swinger that was nicely brought under control by Jan Krueger. Jan rounded the goalie only to see his shot carom off the post. However, it came straight back to Jan who showed further poise in settling and picking out a pass to Andy Hughes who side-footed home.

A return of several players should go a long way toward giving WFC a more balanced side, as well as some breathers for a team that did indeed work hard for little return on their new, big pitch. WFC were second best for the majority of the game, but they have proven resilient in the past and have 7 more games to look forward to.

Game 2 is next Sunday (9/20) at ISC/German Park, versus AmaBhubesi at 2pm.

Scoring: Andy Hughes (Krueger)

Fall Season Sees Old Faces, New Home Field for Yellow & Black Attack

The Fall 2009 schedule has been published, and it is favorable to the old-look Wankas. Returning a majority of previous players, WFC will take up residence at Kuntz soccer facility on W 16th Street, downtown Indy. They will open the season by hosting ISC Falcons on Sunday, September 13.

WFC played a pre-season practice game against UB40 Inter, a previously O-40 team that has moved back to the Open division. As expected after the summer layoff, both teams played some disjointed football with a few interspersed moments of quality play and movement. After going down 2-0 in the first half, WFC rebounded through fill-in Simon Katner and Aaron Gordon before Brett Sommers pounced on a defensive error to grab the winner. Very little can be gleaned from the pre-season efforts, but it was good to see a majority of players getting some practice in. Better fitness will be key for the ball-control offense to work for the Wankas, as Kuntz is a much larger and smoother playing surface than the other Indy league fields.

The schedule is posted at the bottom of the page. Check back often for updates and results!

Wankas End Season with Win Streak

Yes, 2 games is a streak! Wankas FC ended the Spring '09 season with a victory over old rivals Columbus O-30 on another cornfield of a pitch at Eagles Crest. WFC struggled for numbers but were at full-strength to start the match, and it was Columbus that would fail to begin with 11 after their long drive north. Fittingly, WFC failed to fully take advantage of their numerical superiority (C-bus started with 7, but slowly added players over the opening 20 minutes and ended up with more than WFC). Wankas did manage to keep the ball almost entirely to themselves in early play, but the urgency and intensity to turn their numerical advantage into goals was not present. Some dallying on the ball almost saw the midfield overrun for an embarassing counter-attack goal, but a poke back to Jeff Schroeder (standing in for the 2nd week in a row), snuffed out any early hope for C-bus. WFC eventually took advantage of their numbers with some nice wing play. A bobble on the uneven ground was the only defense to keep out an early Jan-to-Ross opportunity. Ross's scuffed shot was the impetus to turn things up a notch, and minutes later the roles were reversed as Aaron Gordon slotted Ross Kenyon into the right channel for Ross to slide a ball across goal and into the path of Jan the German for a back-post goal. 1-0 to the Wankas, with more to come. WFC sustained the pressure but were beginning to leave gaps around the field as several players went in search of glory. A few shots on goal left no doubt that the Wankas were in for the win, and another through ball for Ross to latch onto led to another slotted ball across the face of goal for Troy Divis to volley into the net. 2-0 to the Wankas, who apparently decided that was job done and allowed C-bus to get back into the game. The old boys pulled one back for 2-1, but this just seemed to rile the Wankas and it was again through Ross Kenyon that another goal was found. This time a well-worked effort up the left wing saw Schuyler Wareham cut back inside to deliver a pinpoint cross to Ross in the box, who had time to bring the ball down a finish coolly into the lower corner. 3-1 Wankas at the break.

C-bus turned up their efforts in the second half, but this also led to acres of space on the wings for WFC to exploit. Wankas managed several more opportunities on goal and probably should have added to their tally, especially after C-bus scrambled another goal to make it 3-2. WFC still seemed the more likely side to score again, and even with a few scary goalmouth events late on were able to hold out for the victory. 3-2 WFC.

Scoring: Jan (Kenyon), Divis (Kenyon), Kenyon (Wareham)

Wankas FC finished the Spring '09 season at 2-2-4, a disappointing line. However, in recent weeks they played some very nice and skillful football. Perhaps the rain-interrupted early season prevented getting into the rhythm that clearly came with more consistent games, and they will hopefully take this into the Fall season. There is no Spring Tournament due to scheduling conflicts, but there may be a pre-Fall tournament. As always, it's been another fun season. Enjoy your summers and I look forward to regaling you with tales of Wankas victories in the Fall!

Season Stats:
2 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses

Player Goals Assists Points
Kenyon 4 2 10
Divis 3 1 7
Bellaver 1 3 5
Klippel 2 0 4
Robertson 1 1 3
Britton C 1 0 2
Gordon 1 0 2
Jan 1 0 2
Kirchhofer 1 0 2
Wareham 0 2 2
Cantrell 0 1 1
Maggard 0 1 1
TOTAL 15 11 41

Victory at Last!

Wankas FC ended their season-long winless run with a convincing 4-2 victory over Achievers on Sunday. The superior side from the opening kick-off, WFC continued their recent fine form by controlling the middle of the park and exploiting the vast undefended space on the wings. Achievers struggled to take advantage of some early possession and WFC made them pay after 10 minutes. A well-marshalled defense saw a harmless ball roll into stand-in goalkeeper Jeff Schroeder's hands, and his alert and accurate throw out to the wing set Sam Robertson free up the right. Sam's pace carried him into the attacking third where he delivered a cross for Ross Kenyon to latch onto. Corralling the ball along the endline, the hard work was already done when Ross committed goalie and defender and then slotted beyond everyone. 1-0 to the Wankas, who smelled blood. WFC continued their stranglehold on the midfield and simultaneously snuffed out advances and started counter-attacks. Sensing the weakness at the Achievers back, Troy Divis unfurled a hard, curling effort from 35 yards that took a tricky bounce to put off the keeper, parrying into his own net. 2-0 to the Wankas, who continued to push forward. A throw-in from the left seemed harmless enough, as several Wankas loaded up the box expecting a service. Steve Kirchhofer had other ideas, though, as he strode forward, cut inside and waited for his moment. An effort from the edge of the box seemed to have passed just as he decided to turn the corner, where he found himself alone and slotted calmly into the far corner. 3-0. WFC continued to absorb everything Achievers could muster and found their opportunities easily on the counter. Another throw out from Schroeder to Robertson allowed Sam to carry out of his defensive third before driving an arrow upfield to Andy Hughes who knocked down for Jamie Maggard to slot in Ross Kenyon. Ross was in behind the defense and did what he does best, committing the goalie to ground and then putting it away for 4-0. Some slack defending allowed the Achievers some hope at the end of the 1st half with a close-range effort. 4-1 at the break.

Perhaps sensing that their work was done, or possibly due to a conservative tactical decision, WFC was not as bright in the second half. Achievers stepped up their efforts and were rewarded with a second goal, but a real fightback never seemed likely as the push further upfield allowed WFC too much time and space. More goals should have come, but a final of 4-2 was just reward for a solid attacking and defensive display on the day.

Scoring: Kenyon (Robertson), Divis (???), Kirchhofer (unassisted), Kenyon (Maggard)

Frustrations Mount in Spite of Better Performances

Another week, 2 more games for Wankas FC, and even more frustrations, as the quality of play continues to improve but the results have not followed. WFC started the weekend brightly as they took the field against old foes Movers on Friday night at Kuntz Stadium. WFC quickly took advantage of the spacious confines and moved the ball around with ease. Several good chances were created before the breakthrough finally came as Andrew Bellaver marauded forwarded through midfield, broke into the area, and pinged a pass/shot along the goal line that deflected in off a retreating defender (with a couple Wankas ready to pounce as well). 1-0 to the Wankas, but they were still in full flow. Sustained pressure saw a cross from Andrew inside right end up on the toe of Carl Britton, whose deft first touch eluded a defender and set him alone with the goalie. Getting there first was the easy part, but there was still plenty for Carl to do as he gathered himself and calmly slotted beyond the retreating defense. 2-0 to WFC at the break. Confidence swelled, but fitness and composure would be their undoing as the game began to get ragged. Play opened up as the Movers pressed to get back into the game. Had any of a few counter-attacking opportunities been seized, then a fightback would have been too little too late. But WFC's profligacy in front of goal would see them pegged back by a well-built bit of play from the Movers, and their fine passing was finished off to halve the lead. A tense finish would be in the cards as WFC consistently put themselves on the back foot, and a tired tackle late on would provide the Movers with the opportunity to tie the game from the spot. Jeff Graham guessed right and was a fingertip away, but the ball nestled in for 2-2. A heated final 10 minutes ensued as both teams began to feel the pressure with heavy tackles and some lost nerves. Despite having the better and more chances, the Wankas once again could only take a point for their efforts.

Scoring: Bellaver (unassisted), C Britton (Bellaver)

If the frustrations mounted due to having outplayed their opponents only to gain a draw for their work, then Sunday's game would prove heartbreaking. The entire first half on Sunday consisted of terrific build-up play, controlled passes, and well-worked scoring opportunites, coupled with an imperious defensive display from all along the backline. Lee Britton and Jamie Maggard put the clamps on the speedy AmaZulu front line, and Steve Kirchhofer, Mark Simmonds, and Pfenne Cantrell provided the grafting elsewhere to keep the Zulu attack at bay. It is no stretch to say that WFC could have had a multiple goal lead going into the break, but their only first-half goal came through some nice movement along the wing, culminating in a special individual effort from Troy Divis to setup Ross Kenyon for a close-range finish. Unfortunately, one momentary lapse at the back allowed the pacy Zulu attack into the box. Even then they required some help as his shot was deflected, and the attempted clearance then hit a Wanka defender to end up in the net. 1-1 at the break, but WFC clearly a superior side. WFC continued its dominance in the second half, and several opportunities went begging before Sam Robertson took matters into his own hands. Receiving the ball from Sky about 40 yards out, Sam cut inside from the left and unleashed a low drive that Brett Sommers did well to help shield from the keeper, who could only watch it roll past his outstretched hand. 2-1 would last only a few minutes, though, as immiediate attacking from the kick-off from the Zulus quickly led to an equalizer. Despite this setback, WFC still knew they were the better side and kept looking for the winner. It was not to be, however. A missed penalty kick was seized upon by the Zulus, and they took full advantage by scoring within minutes. A 2-goal swing in a short matter of time, and suddenly 4 games in 2 weeks began to show in the legs of the Wankas. Playing from behind against such opposition seemed to sap the mental strength from several as well. WFC continued to chase, but a last-gasp equalizer never appeared, and the Zulus managed another goal with the final kick of the game as the majority of WFC had committed itself to the attack. Somehow, some way, WFC lost 4-2 in a game they dominated for nearly its entirety.

Scoring: Kenyon (Divis), Robertson (Wareham)

WFC is playing some of its best football in recent memory, though, and a victory is only a full 90 minutes away. Come cheer them on against the Achievers on Sunday at 11am at Lawrence Park.