W is for Wankas!

Wankas FC began the Fall 2008 season in earnest this weekend against Benedict Sunday. Warm weather and a full squad turned out to kick the season off in style, but neither team was able to find much cohesion during the opening exchanges. The Wankas defense eventually settled down, but early on there was a learning curve and a lack of communication led to an untracked runner getting in front of Jeff Graham and doing just enough to cause the distraction needed to open the scoring. WFC responded in decent fashion as they began to control more play, but a failure to control midfield saw a need to serve some long balls out of the defense. This method paid off, however, as a long clearance toward the sideline found its way to Brett Sommers who laid off to new boy Scott White. Without hesitation Scott let fly with a curling effort that was never in doubt. 1-1 at the break.

As the teams resumed play, the game began to take on a faster pace and more intensity as some erratic officiating left both sides scratching their heads. Despite beginning to dominate possession, WFC failed to deal with a corner kick and were punished. Some soft marking saw the knockdown driven straight at Jeff Graham, who made a great first save but could do nothing about the rebound. But as has happened many times before, going behind lit a fire under the Wankas and they responded with some consistent attacking play that eventually led to Sam Robertson winning a free kick in a tasty position. Making up for his defensive lapse on the Bennies second goal, Aaron Gordon stepped up to curl in a FK that the goalie should probably have done better with. All tied up, WFC pressed the game and really began to take full control. A nifty interchange saw Troy Divis played in directly to goal before being sandwiched between 2 Bennies. The Bennies were beginning to lose their composure and felt a further sting from yet another Aaron Gordon free kick, as well as his tongue, as this one was dispatched leaving the Bennies GK with no chance. A singular foray into attack led to a Bennies penalty kick being awarded for what seemed a soft foul (and not in the box). Tied up yet again, WFC seemed to make up their minds to finally finish off the game. Some sustained pressure finally found some Wankas in space at the top of the box. Working a nice one-two with Schuyler Wareham, Aaron Gordon slipped but held off his man before righting the ship and sending a 12-yarder into the side netting. WFC continued to press, and the defense continued to stifle the few remaining Bennies attacks. With little time left on the clock, WFC looked to finish off the game with some corner time-killing, but a Bennies defender overplayed the throw-in and allowed Andy Hughes to get to the byline before pulling a ball back to the top of the box. Initially it appeared to be heading into empty space as the Wankas were sitting deep, but Doug “Danger” Starnes out-hustled a retreating Bennies defender and sized up his shot before slotting it home. 5-3 at the final whistle, and a well-deserved victory for the Wankas.

All in all a fine performance for the first game, as the defense began to get comfortable among one another, and the bounty of subs allowed high-pressure intensity in the attack. WFC travel to Columbus next Sunday.

Scoring:
Scott White (Brett Sommers), Aaron Gordon (FK), Aaron Gordon (FK), Aaron Gordon (Schuyler Wareham), Doug Starnes (Andy Hughes)