Finally, a game!

The CIASA Spring 2009 season finally began in earnest on Sunday. After 3 straight cancellations due to the rainy Indiana Spring, Wankas FC kicked off against Orange FC and renewed a rivalry nearly as old as both teams. OFC immediately put their experience to good use with long stretches of early possession and several forays into attack. The Wankas struggled to keep control in the young stages, and their continued poor marking would present Orange with the opportunity they had hoped for within 20 minutes. An Orange corner kick was only half-cleared to the edge of the box, and OFC’s main threat hit a solid left-footed half volley that arrowed toward the far corner and was never in doubt as it came through a crowd of players. Orange 1 – 0 Wankas, and the momentum was clearly in the favor of OFC as well. Wankas would have to weather the storm in the first half and struggled to maintain shape; however, a few good outlets and interchanges showed that WFC could get back into the game if they played with intensity and composure. One such instance saw a nice move down the left free up some space, and as Sky joined the attack with a late run, the overlap of Matt Collins seemed to be the opportunity they needed. Unfortunately, a crucial slip saw the chance go begging, but WFC would have taken confidence from the ease with which the move was created.

After some halftime re-organizing, WFC came out more brightly in the second half and began attacking down the flanks. The midfield shored up and consistently won 50/50 balls and spread the attacking play. And it was from precisely such a move that the equalizer was found. A sharp clearance to the left allowed Lee Britton to carry the ball from midfield and, sensing some hesitation, got to the endline before cutting back on the goalie. The retreating defender could only clip his heels as he cut in to create a shooting angle. After some deliberation about whether the ball had crossed the endline, the referee pointed to the spot. Aaron Gordon stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way, and with 15 minutes left it was game on. Both sides pressed hard for the winner as first Aaron and then Doug Starnes sent shots goalward. But it was Orange that seized some initiative late on, and if not for the heroics of Jeff Graham they would surely have taken all 3points. But Graham made a string of saves, double-saves, and one triple-save to deny Orange their victory. Orange will feel it is 2 points dropped, but the Wankas can feel good about fighting back for a deserved point.

Final 1-1: Aaron Gordon (pk)

The Wankas travel to the southside to meet ISC Falcons next Sunday at noon.