Wankas FC ended their season against Benedict Sunday over the weekend with a 0-0 draw. The game was as exciting as it sounds as neither team was able to sustain any significant possession or put much pressure on the opposition goal. WFC’s failure to win the 50-50 balls prevented them from getting into an offensive rhythm and often forced the defense into some last-ditch tackles. As the scoreline suggests, Jeff Graham was once again the most consistent player on the pitch. With few opportunities created, the need for him to be ruthless against his attackers was even more desperate, and he rose to every task. Offensively, the Wankas were limited to a few individual efforts, the best of which came through a quick one-two passing move that opened up Sam Robertson for a shot.
Wankas FC finished the season with 3 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws, giving them a 4th place standing behind ISC Renegades, Indiana Impact, and Columbus O-30. Aaron Gordon was the team's leading scorer with 5 goals, with Schuyler Wareham and Ross Kenyon each tallying 3 assists apiece. Aaron Gordon and Jeff Graham each registered a shutout in goal as well.
WFC will once again rue missed opportunities and defensive lapses that cost them points in a very winnable league. The upside is that several new faces made WFC their home and integrated seamlessly into the squad. We look forward to them returning for the spring season. I’d like to thank everyone for their efforts and encourage you all to play indoor during the winter. We’ll be arranging kick-arounds as soon as the weather cooperates.
Have a great off-season you Wankas!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Wankas Woes
Wankas FC effectively ended any hopes they had for a top-of-the-table finish after failing to overcome ISC Falcons on Sunday. Their performance was disjointed, at times moving the ball very easily into attack, and at times looking completely disorganized. The midfield did well to maintain possession and create opportunities, but profligacy in front of goal and an inability to deal with the ISC route 1 counter-attack was their undoing.
WFC started slow and soon found themselves a goal down. Possession swung back and forth, and it was Ray Carter who seized back the initiative for the Wankas. Receiving a pass from Schuyler Wareham in the middle of the field, Ray let fly from 35 yards and found the back of the net. This prompted the Wankas to step things up a gear as the Falcons began their usual whining and mouthing off to the ref and anyone willing to listen. Another sweeping midfield counter eventually saw the ball move through to Schuyler again, who drew a few defenders before laying off to Aaron Gordon to swerve a shot home at the near post. WFC's elation was short-lived, though, as ISC's only form of successful attack was the long-ball over the top, and it proved goal-worthy. 2-2 at the break.
WFC came out attacking after the restart and created several early opportunities, but the go-ahead goal simply would not come. After the first 15 minutes of the second half, goal-mouth action was kept to a minimum at both ends of the field. A stalemate seemed in the cards until one final ball into the Wankas box. 3-2 to the Falcons at the final whistle.
The Wankas have a final chance for 3 points next Sunday at 3pm against Benedict Sunday.
Scoring: Ray Carter (Sky Wareham), Aaron Gordon (Sky Wareham)
WFC started slow and soon found themselves a goal down. Possession swung back and forth, and it was Ray Carter who seized back the initiative for the Wankas. Receiving a pass from Schuyler Wareham in the middle of the field, Ray let fly from 35 yards and found the back of the net. This prompted the Wankas to step things up a gear as the Falcons began their usual whining and mouthing off to the ref and anyone willing to listen. Another sweeping midfield counter eventually saw the ball move through to Schuyler again, who drew a few defenders before laying off to Aaron Gordon to swerve a shot home at the near post. WFC's elation was short-lived, though, as ISC's only form of successful attack was the long-ball over the top, and it proved goal-worthy. 2-2 at the break.
WFC came out attacking after the restart and created several early opportunities, but the go-ahead goal simply would not come. After the first 15 minutes of the second half, goal-mouth action was kept to a minimum at both ends of the field. A stalemate seemed in the cards until one final ball into the Wankas box. 3-2 to the Falcons at the final whistle.
The Wankas have a final chance for 3 points next Sunday at 3pm against Benedict Sunday.
Scoring: Ray Carter (Sky Wareham), Aaron Gordon (Sky Wareham)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Wankas Have an Impact
Wankas FC moved themselves closer to the top of the table with a dominating and complete performance against Indiana Impact on Sunday. With several key players out WFC was forced to re-shuffle the pack, and every player in attendance stepped up to fulfill their duties. WFC kicked off and immediately went on the attack, finding space on both flanks. The warning signs came early for the Impact, with WFC starting several fine moves and only the final ball eluding them. The Impact had their own occasional forays early on as well, and stand-in goalkeeper Aaron Gordon got his shaky moment out of the way as he failed to deal with a cross cleanly and required some defensive help for a clearance. From that point on, however, it simply became all Wankas all the time.
Midway through the first half WFC really began to get a grip on the game and, after spurning a few good chances, finally made the Impact pay for slack covering. Moving the ball wide and out to the wing, Andy Hughes was given plenty of time to look up and swing in a solid cross for Carl Britton to expertly head home beyond the Impact keeper. The Wankas swelled with confidence and continued to exploit the space on the wings. Yet another sideline attack resulted in a free kick from the left flank, which Matt Collins floated to the back post to provide Andy Hughes the opportunity to nod low into the corner. 2-0 and cruising at the break.
With a halftime warning to not allow the Impact a route back into the game, the Wankas wasted no time in consolidating their dominance after the re-start. Jamie Maggard, Ross Klippel, Lee Britton, and Ross Kenyon simply and elegantly passed their way up the left flank until Kenyon was allowed just enough space to cut in at the end line and provide a nice pullback for Schuyler Wareham to get on the board. The Impact were beginning to fray at the nerves as well as their positional play and truly had no answer for the WFC onslaught. With their players tiring, more space between lines became available and the Wankas were happy to take full advantage. Moving the ball to the right side and into acres of space, Matt Collins floated another pinpoint cross to Brett Sommers at the back post to head back across goal and into the net. Some questionable non-calls had an already flustered Impact coming apart at the seams, and they were finally reduced a man after extensive bickering led to an accumulation of yellows. Now well and truly beaten, it was simply a matter of keeping the score line down. But instead the Impact continued to leave more and more space, which Ross Kenyon was happy to exploit. His run down the left channel provided plenty of room for Troy Divis to receive a ball at the edge of the box and strike a low drive to the near post. A game of kick-ball clearance from both teams played out the remaining minutes, and the Wankas rejoiced in a full team performance at the final whistle. 5-0 to the Wankas, with 5 different scorers, a clean sheet, and the finest game of the season. Every player stepped up their effort and intensity and can be proud of a fine team performance.
The Wankas hope to retain this level of play next weekend against ISC Falcons at 3pm at Lawrence Park.
Scoring: C Britton (Hughes), Andy Hughes (Collins), Sky Wareham (Kenyon), Brett Sommers (Collins), Troy Divis (Kenyon)
Midway through the first half WFC really began to get a grip on the game and, after spurning a few good chances, finally made the Impact pay for slack covering. Moving the ball wide and out to the wing, Andy Hughes was given plenty of time to look up and swing in a solid cross for Carl Britton to expertly head home beyond the Impact keeper. The Wankas swelled with confidence and continued to exploit the space on the wings. Yet another sideline attack resulted in a free kick from the left flank, which Matt Collins floated to the back post to provide Andy Hughes the opportunity to nod low into the corner. 2-0 and cruising at the break.
With a halftime warning to not allow the Impact a route back into the game, the Wankas wasted no time in consolidating their dominance after the re-start. Jamie Maggard, Ross Klippel, Lee Britton, and Ross Kenyon simply and elegantly passed their way up the left flank until Kenyon was allowed just enough space to cut in at the end line and provide a nice pullback for Schuyler Wareham to get on the board. The Impact were beginning to fray at the nerves as well as their positional play and truly had no answer for the WFC onslaught. With their players tiring, more space between lines became available and the Wankas were happy to take full advantage. Moving the ball to the right side and into acres of space, Matt Collins floated another pinpoint cross to Brett Sommers at the back post to head back across goal and into the net. Some questionable non-calls had an already flustered Impact coming apart at the seams, and they were finally reduced a man after extensive bickering led to an accumulation of yellows. Now well and truly beaten, it was simply a matter of keeping the score line down. But instead the Impact continued to leave more and more space, which Ross Kenyon was happy to exploit. His run down the left channel provided plenty of room for Troy Divis to receive a ball at the edge of the box and strike a low drive to the near post. A game of kick-ball clearance from both teams played out the remaining minutes, and the Wankas rejoiced in a full team performance at the final whistle. 5-0 to the Wankas, with 5 different scorers, a clean sheet, and the finest game of the season. Every player stepped up their effort and intensity and can be proud of a fine team performance.
The Wankas hope to retain this level of play next weekend against ISC Falcons at 3pm at Lawrence Park.
Scoring: C Britton (Hughes), Andy Hughes (Collins), Sky Wareham (Kenyon), Brett Sommers (Collins), Troy Divis (Kenyon)
Friday, October 3, 2008
Midweek Malaise for Wankas
Wankas FC did itself no favors on Thursday evening as they followed up their Sunday victory over AmaZulu with a lackluster performance against Hoosier Daddy. Hoosier Daddy has proven a bogey team for the Wankas in recent years despite the balance of talent and experience leaning heavily in favor of WFC. And so it was again during this mid-week contest.
The game began brightly enough, but WFC was soon on the back foot as they failed to maintain possession and shape in the center of the park. The first half was an open affair, but actual opportunities were minimal for both sides. Neither team was able to keep possession long enough to create any meaningful attacks, and route 1 soccer was the order of the evening. The only event of consequence in the first half came late on when Aaron Grant cleanly tackled a Daddy along the sideline. As he toppled over the challenge, the already clumsy HD player lost his mind temporarily and landed a solid elbow to Aaron’s head. Even the HD teammates were at a loss and instructed him to leave ASAP. Red-carded and shamed, the Daddies would be forced to play out the game reduced to 10 men. 0-0 at the break.
The halftime team talk centered around gaining control of the midfield and utilizing the space that would no doubt be available with one less player on the field. A warning to step up the intensity or risk giving the Daddies hope proved salient as within minutes of the restart the Wankas found themselves a goal down. A Wankas throw-in to the middle seemed innocuous enough, but as possession was lost several Wankas backed off the Daddy attacker. Two touches later the ball was in the back of the net, as the HD attacker let fly from 25 yards and produced a shot that knuckled and dipped over the outstretched arm of Jeff Graham. The Wankas were shocked, and a reply was not immediately forthcoming. Sensing the precariousness of their situation, the Daddies dropped deep and stifled most of the Wankas’ attacks. Their attacks lacked creativity, and as more Wankas pressed forward in a desperate bid for an equalizer the defense was left exposed. Several game-saving tackles were put in by the back line, and Jeff Graham erased any doubts with a string of excellent saves. One in particular was spectacularly caught and held from a shot at very close range; surely the Daddy thought he’d scored.
As the game moved into its final stages the Wankas opted to go for broke. Beginning with a switch to 3-5-2, and ultimately becoming a 2-6-2, the Wankas threw caution to the wind. On more than one occasion the equalizer looked certain, but a few questionable offside calls combined with some profligacy in front of goal and a couple good saves from the HD keeper meant the drama would go to the wire. And so it did, as with only 2 minutes remaining a fully committed Wankas attack resulted in a ball coming to the feet of Aaron Gordon. His shot-fake and cut-back were enough to force a panicked foul out of a Daddy defender, providing one final opportunity at redemption. Aaron lined up his free kick, but it was not as sweetly struck as those in the first game of the season. Nevertheless, plenty of pace and swerve caused problems, and a deflection was enough to wrong-foot the keeper who could only watch as the ball bounced beyond him into the far corner. Not pretty, and it will certainly feel like points dropped instead of a point gained at this juncture of the season. Final: 1-1. Scoring: Aaron Gordon (unassisted)
The Wankas had an opportunity to briefly go top of the table but will have to settle for second place with several other teams holding games in hand. They will attempt to redeem themselves in just under a fortnight as they take on Indiana Impact in Mooresville on Sunday, October 12.
The game began brightly enough, but WFC was soon on the back foot as they failed to maintain possession and shape in the center of the park. The first half was an open affair, but actual opportunities were minimal for both sides. Neither team was able to keep possession long enough to create any meaningful attacks, and route 1 soccer was the order of the evening. The only event of consequence in the first half came late on when Aaron Grant cleanly tackled a Daddy along the sideline. As he toppled over the challenge, the already clumsy HD player lost his mind temporarily and landed a solid elbow to Aaron’s head. Even the HD teammates were at a loss and instructed him to leave ASAP. Red-carded and shamed, the Daddies would be forced to play out the game reduced to 10 men. 0-0 at the break.
The halftime team talk centered around gaining control of the midfield and utilizing the space that would no doubt be available with one less player on the field. A warning to step up the intensity or risk giving the Daddies hope proved salient as within minutes of the restart the Wankas found themselves a goal down. A Wankas throw-in to the middle seemed innocuous enough, but as possession was lost several Wankas backed off the Daddy attacker. Two touches later the ball was in the back of the net, as the HD attacker let fly from 25 yards and produced a shot that knuckled and dipped over the outstretched arm of Jeff Graham. The Wankas were shocked, and a reply was not immediately forthcoming. Sensing the precariousness of their situation, the Daddies dropped deep and stifled most of the Wankas’ attacks. Their attacks lacked creativity, and as more Wankas pressed forward in a desperate bid for an equalizer the defense was left exposed. Several game-saving tackles were put in by the back line, and Jeff Graham erased any doubts with a string of excellent saves. One in particular was spectacularly caught and held from a shot at very close range; surely the Daddy thought he’d scored.
As the game moved into its final stages the Wankas opted to go for broke. Beginning with a switch to 3-5-2, and ultimately becoming a 2-6-2, the Wankas threw caution to the wind. On more than one occasion the equalizer looked certain, but a few questionable offside calls combined with some profligacy in front of goal and a couple good saves from the HD keeper meant the drama would go to the wire. And so it did, as with only 2 minutes remaining a fully committed Wankas attack resulted in a ball coming to the feet of Aaron Gordon. His shot-fake and cut-back were enough to force a panicked foul out of a Daddy defender, providing one final opportunity at redemption. Aaron lined up his free kick, but it was not as sweetly struck as those in the first game of the season. Nevertheless, plenty of pace and swerve caused problems, and a deflection was enough to wrong-foot the keeper who could only watch as the ball bounced beyond him into the far corner. Not pretty, and it will certainly feel like points dropped instead of a point gained at this juncture of the season. Final: 1-1. Scoring: Aaron Gordon (unassisted)
The Wankas had an opportunity to briefly go top of the table but will have to settle for second place with several other teams holding games in hand. They will attempt to redeem themselves in just under a fortnight as they take on Indiana Impact in Mooresville on Sunday, October 12.
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