Catching up with the Wankas

Well, we've had a hectic few weeks, full of madness, despair, joys, losses, and wins. So let's get caught up. Several weeks back Wankas FC played a forgettable match with Benedict Sunday. Poor displays all around, capped off by an unfortunate sending off for Aaron Gordon. Fully deserved at that. The final was 2-0 to BenSun.

A week later, WFC took on ISC Falcons with only 9 players. Playing shorthanded galvanized WFC, however, and they gave a good account of themselves in a 2-1 defeat. Andy Hughes grabbed the goal in that one; unassisted unless otherwise informed.

The make-up game, coincidentally also against Falcons, was once again postponed due to inclement weather. It is unknown if this will be made up.

So after a long and disappointing season, we come to the Spring tournament and the Wankas responded in good fashion. Opening the tourney against a familiar foe, Hoosier Daddy, WFC put on good early pressure and created far more opportunities. Andy Carson, once again playing as a tournament guest, saw his cross/shot curl in at the far post. WFC controlled much of the rest of the game, but once again had a defensive lapse that cost them the clean sheet. 1-1 after the morning match.

WFC returned for their afternoon tie with ISC Renegades in fine spirits, and they were boosted even further by finding a short-handed Renegades squad that simply was not up to the task. They were further hampered by an injury to their main striker, and finally scuppered any chance of a true fight by having one of their players sent off for striking Jamie Maggard. Despite such a numerical advantage, WFC were down 1-0 at the half due to a fluke goal. However, for a change WFC made their advantage count as they ran riot in the second half, scoring 5 unanswered goals and putting the Renegades to the sword. Aaron Gordon (Hughes, unassisted, Hughes), Caleb (guest), and Andy Carson (unassisted) all found the net in the final frame.

The early game on Sunday was against ISC AmaBhubesi, who also showed up shorthanded. WFC wasted no time in taking advantage of this again, and Ross Klippel (Gordon) opened up the scoring in the first five minutes. Several minutes later, Klippel had a fine solo effort capped off by a terrific finish. 2-0 at the break, and Wankas were flying. Schuyler Wareham won an early second half free kick, which he converted himself by curling around the wall and beating the keeper with a sweet effort at the near post. WFC took their foot off the gas and allowed the largely whining ISC team a lifeline with a penalty and an OG, but the Wankas had the wherewithal to see the game out.

So to the semi-finals against Indiana Impact. By far the stiffest competition WFC had yet faced, Wankas rose to the task largely through the efforts of John ???, another pick-up for the tournament. His great work down the left drew all defenders his way, and his cross at the end line was eventually tracked down and turned in from an acute angle by Aaron Gordon. Impact struck back with a fine volley and another well worked goal to take the lead. WFC pressed hard and found an equalizer through Andy Hughes (also assisted by John?). As more storms rolled in, the refs opted to call the game short (9 minutes!!) in order to go straight to penalties. Sky, Doug, and John converted theirs, matched by Impact, before Andy Carson sent his wide. Impact converted their next and sent the Wankas to yet another pk semi-final defeat. Chants of "Ingerlund" were unconfirmed.

So a good tournament performance played by a short squad this weekend. Everyone worked hard and the team came together to make up for their disappointing season. The make-up of the make-up with Falcons may or may not get played, but we will soon begin gathering for Sunday kick-arounds. Please stay tuned. Thanks again to everyone for their time and effort. See you in the Fall.