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)