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)