Wankas Share the Spoils

Wankas FC attempted to right the ship after their 2-0 road defeat to Columbus last weekend, as they traveled to German Park to face ISC Renegades, the current league leaders. WFC opened things strongly in the early going, but put themselves in a hole after just 10 minutes. The defense, still coming to terms with communication and cohesion, should have easily cleared their lines after tracking an errant through ball. Some dallying, however, led to a rushed clearance from Jeff Graham and his mis-hit found a Renegade inside the area. In an interesting contrast from other opportunities that would come, the Renegade striker took full advantage and put his side up 1-0 with his team having had little of the possession. WFC were spurred into action and pressed forward, but a return to 4-4-2 was giving away too much space for the opposition in the center of the park. ISC had several good opportunities as they found plenty of joy getting in behind the defense due to an overwhelmed midfield. Their shooting boots were left at home, however, and WFC managed to escape further punishment.

WFC began to take further control, though, and were rewarded for their efforts. Steve Kirchhofer took the initiative and advantage of weak individual defending to gallop forward and fire off a shot. Taking a deflection, the ball found its way to Ross Kenyon who coolly eluded his first marker and then beat the hapless Renegades GK at his near post. All even at 1, but the opportunities for the Renegades were not through. Jeff Graham, determined to make up for an early mistake, was flawless in goal as he turned away several clear shots and breakaways.

WFC picked things up a gear to begin the second half and saw their team pressure result in a turnover and then score as the Rosses combined to steal a goal from a poor Renegades defensive effort. The pressure and movement continued as the Wankas smelled the chance to seal a long-awaited victory over the Renegades. A quick throw-in to Doug Starnes led to a lofted cross toward the back post. Carl Britton glided under the cross, settled and beat his man to finish off a sweeping move. 3-1 to the good.

But as is often the case for WFC, defensive lapses would be their undoing. With 10 minutes to go, the Renegades began to ratchet up the pressure and WFC were beginning to tire. Failure to deal decisively with some marauding runs, WFC gave up a corner from which they would pay a hefty price. An unmarked Renegades attacker drifted from the edge of the box, and his header met a sharp corner to create an intense finish to the game. At 3-2, the Wankas bottled things a bit. A 1-goal lead was never safe in a game of such ebb and flow, and a failure to possess and control at this juncture proved their undoing. With several players over-committed to the attack and a deep lying defense, a Renegades counter-attack had plenty of space to develop. Their speedy front line breached the WFC defense, and despite closing the angle Jeff Graham could not keep out the equalizer.

In a game that saw several early Renegades opportunities go begging, a 3-3 result was probably fair. But having had a 2-goal cushion, WFC will rue their inability to kill off yet another winnable game.

WFC move to 1-1-1 on the season and will be cautious yet confident this coming Sunday when they take on a rejuvenated AmaZulu side.

Scoring: Ross Kenyon (unassisted), Ross Klippel (Kenyon), Carl Britton (Starnes)