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)