Wankas FC remain atop an uneven and inconsistent league table after drawing 2-2 with Hoosier Daddy on Sunday. Once again the Wankas were the better side for long periods, but also lacked the attacking sharpness to kill the game off. And that allowed HD to grab a late equalizer.
Wankas started out well enough, with some good passing creating space on the field. Clear opportunities were at a minimum, though, and free kicks were creating the majority of chances. A rare counter-attack from HD saw an optimistic ball played into the box. Unfortunately, this effort would find the back of the net as an errant touch from Troy Divis saw the ball trickle just beyond stand-in goalie Jeff Schroeder. 1-0 to HD without having taken a shot. The Wankas responded in fine fashion, though, and began to attack along the wings. Consistently spreading the HD back line thin, Matt Kluth played a defense-splitting ball into the feet of Ross Kenyon, returning from several weeks away from action. Ross looked as though he's been playing the whole time, though, as he neatly collected Matt's pass and sped beyond his defender before slotting nicely to the far post. 1-1 at the break.
WFC continued where they left off after the break and appeared to have the quality to take control completely. Unfortunately, several opportunities in and around the box couldn't get turned home. Troy Divis broke the deadlock after a throw-in deflected to his feet. Troy turned on the ball from 40 yards and hit his first-time shot high to the far post, leaving the goalie stranded. 2-1 WFC, and it looked as if they'd add to it as several more opportunities bounced around the HD area. None were converted, however, and a late breakaway by Darren Burroughs was finished strong to the far corner. 2-2 with minutes remaining, and the game-winner just wouldn't come.
Once again WFC were the more active side, but they will need to get more ruthless in front of goal if they are to maintain their lead at the top of the table.
Scoring: Ross Kenyon (Matt Kluth), Troy Divis (unassisted).
Monday, April 28, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wankas Move Up the Table with Win
Wankas FC improved to 1-0-1 on the season with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Benedict Sunday. Several days of rain seemed to have had little effect on the hard, dry Lawrence fields, and, coupled with an impromptu and shortening re-lining of the field, presented an interesting playing surface for both teams. WFC started out the much brighter team with some good early possession and ball movement, while the Bennies struggled to maintain control and routinely gave away possession with lengthy through-balls on the short pitch. An early WFC attack seemed destined to put them in front as a beaten Bennies defender strangely stuck a hand up to intercept a ball over the top. Aaron Gordon stepped up for the ensuing spot kick, but his weak effort was saved well by the keeper. This inspired the Bennies and they stepped up their intensity, if not the quality of their play. However, WFC failed to clear a ball in the box and it eventually found its way to a Bennie on the edge of the area. His mishit shot unsighted Jeff Graham - probably because of the other Bennie standing offside directly in front of him - and trickled into the net. The "passive offside" rule strikes again. 1-0 to the Bennies, a bit undeservedly. This led to several minutes of long-ball from both sides, as the ground conspired to make stringing several passes together very difficult. Route 1 eventually paid off, though, as Jason Williams aimed a long free kick toward the attacking area. Several Bennies failed to deal with the first ball and as it bounced over the top, Aaron Gordon let it drop over his shoulder to hit a full volley from the edge of the 18 and dipped it nicely over the keeper and under the bar. 1-1 and game on! Minutes later, some chaotic defending from the Bennies saw Doug Starnes sneak in for some poaching. His first effort was blocked well from the goalie, stranded 17 yards from his line. But the rebound fell straight back to Doug's feet, and he side-stepped the keeper this time and picked his spot past the retreating Bennie defenders. 2-1 WFC at the break.
The second half saw much more of the same, with some decent attacks from WFC interspersed with some hoofing and chasing from BenSun. This technique paid off nicely, though, as a through-ball into the Wankas penalty area was not dealt with, and the Bennies attacker made the most of minimal contact between two WFC defenders. The spot kick was well converted; game tied 2-2. But WFC wasted little time in re-asserting themselves with some sustained pressure along the wings. Great hustling by Doug Starnes hassled a Bennie defender into coughing up the ball at the end line, and he eventually won it and rolled it back to Andy Hughes. Displaying some nifty footwork, Andy made his way into the box and worked a shooting opportunity to expertly beat the goalie at his near post. 3-2 Wankas. Moments later, a routine bouncing ball in the box colluded with the untidy pitch to force an unfortunate hand ball in the Wankas penalty area. A second spot kick for the Bennies, but though it was hit with power it was too close to Jeff Graham, who smothered the shot altogether. Off the hook but not out of the woods, the Wankas were forced into some desperate defending as injuries began to mount and stretch them thin. The back line held firm, though, as each Bennies attack was turned away with little danger presented. Their eagerness to pull a goal back would be their final undoing as several half-clearances eventually fell to the foot of Troy Divis, whose first-time ball back over the top was well-placed to draw out the opposing keeper. Andy Hughes got to it first and skied a lob over the keeper's head right as his pursuer arrived. The high ball finally dropped under the bar and bounced up into the net. 4-2 Wankas, and the Bennies folded with little time remaining.
Great team effort, but special mention to Andy for his multi-goal game, the defense for standing firm late on, and Jeff Graham for doing what he does best.
Scoring: Aaron Gordon (pk miss), Aaron Gordon (Jason Williams), Doug Starnes (unassisted), Andy Hughes (Doug Starnes), Andy Hughes (Troy Divis)
The second half saw much more of the same, with some decent attacks from WFC interspersed with some hoofing and chasing from BenSun. This technique paid off nicely, though, as a through-ball into the Wankas penalty area was not dealt with, and the Bennies attacker made the most of minimal contact between two WFC defenders. The spot kick was well converted; game tied 2-2. But WFC wasted little time in re-asserting themselves with some sustained pressure along the wings. Great hustling by Doug Starnes hassled a Bennie defender into coughing up the ball at the end line, and he eventually won it and rolled it back to Andy Hughes. Displaying some nifty footwork, Andy made his way into the box and worked a shooting opportunity to expertly beat the goalie at his near post. 3-2 Wankas. Moments later, a routine bouncing ball in the box colluded with the untidy pitch to force an unfortunate hand ball in the Wankas penalty area. A second spot kick for the Bennies, but though it was hit with power it was too close to Jeff Graham, who smothered the shot altogether. Off the hook but not out of the woods, the Wankas were forced into some desperate defending as injuries began to mount and stretch them thin. The back line held firm, though, as each Bennies attack was turned away with little danger presented. Their eagerness to pull a goal back would be their final undoing as several half-clearances eventually fell to the foot of Troy Divis, whose first-time ball back over the top was well-placed to draw out the opposing keeper. Andy Hughes got to it first and skied a lob over the keeper's head right as his pursuer arrived. The high ball finally dropped under the bar and bounced up into the net. 4-2 Wankas, and the Bennies folded with little time remaining.
Great team effort, but special mention to Andy for his multi-goal game, the defense for standing firm late on, and Jeff Graham for doing what he does best.
Scoring: Aaron Gordon (pk miss), Aaron Gordon (Jason Williams), Doug Starnes (unassisted), Andy Hughes (Doug Starnes), Andy Hughes (Troy Divis)
Monday, April 7, 2008
Wankas Start Season with a Draw
WFC started off their Spring campaign with a slightly uneven performance against ISC AmaZulu, which resulted in a 2-2 draw. The Wankas started brightly enough with some good passing and control of the ball. A few early chances were created, but WFC's attackers lacked the sharpness to make them count. A dubious penalty call against Dave Kegg saw the game's best goalscoring opportunity come from the spot. Karma caught up with the AmaZulu forward, as well as his own nerves, as the telegraphed spot-kick was well-saved and pushed away by Jeff Graham. Minutes later the Wankas would punish the Zulus for their profligacy. A free kick just inside their own half was worked upfield by the Wankas, with new-boy Brad Smith slotting in Ross Klippel through the right channel. Klippel outran his pursuers and coolly finished inside the far post. 1-0 to the Wankas at the break.
The second half saw the Zulus step up their intensity - and their whining - and some hard challenges began flying in. The Wankas did well to keep their collective cool, but were failing to match the Zulus' efforts. The Zulus have one strategy - Route 1 - and were held at bay for most of the game. However, they eventually breached the Wankas' back line with a through-ball and the attacker finished just beyond the reach of Jeff Graham. This seemed to awaken the Wankas from their slumber, and some consistent attacks eventually led to a corner. Aaron Gordon's curling corner was fortuitously flicked on by a Zulu defender and into his own net; Schuyler Wareham was the intended target and appeared to be ready for his first goal of the season before the error. 2-1 to the Wankas with 10 minutes to go, and the wheels began to fall off for everyone. The Zulus continued to lump everything forward, and the Wankas strangely began committing too many players to the attack. This resulted in a few breakaways and close calls - one shot hitting the outside of Graham's goal. The sustained long balls combined with a tiring defense eventually led to one more successful foray for the Zulus, and they managed to take something from the game with a late goal on the break. 2-2 for the final score, but the Wankas will feel it more as a loss given their superior possession and scoring opportunities. One to learn from for a team that should challenge for the league title.
Scoring: Ross Klippel (Brad Smith), Aaron Gordon (unassisted)
The second half saw the Zulus step up their intensity - and their whining - and some hard challenges began flying in. The Wankas did well to keep their collective cool, but were failing to match the Zulus' efforts. The Zulus have one strategy - Route 1 - and were held at bay for most of the game. However, they eventually breached the Wankas' back line with a through-ball and the attacker finished just beyond the reach of Jeff Graham. This seemed to awaken the Wankas from their slumber, and some consistent attacks eventually led to a corner. Aaron Gordon's curling corner was fortuitously flicked on by a Zulu defender and into his own net; Schuyler Wareham was the intended target and appeared to be ready for his first goal of the season before the error. 2-1 to the Wankas with 10 minutes to go, and the wheels began to fall off for everyone. The Zulus continued to lump everything forward, and the Wankas strangely began committing too many players to the attack. This resulted in a few breakaways and close calls - one shot hitting the outside of Graham's goal. The sustained long balls combined with a tiring defense eventually led to one more successful foray for the Zulus, and they managed to take something from the game with a late goal on the break. 2-2 for the final score, but the Wankas will feel it more as a loss given their superior possession and scoring opportunities. One to learn from for a team that should challenge for the league title.
Scoring: Ross Klippel (Brad Smith), Aaron Gordon (unassisted)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
