Frustrations Mount in Spite of Better Performances

Another week, 2 more games for Wankas FC, and even more frustrations, as the quality of play continues to improve but the results have not followed. WFC started the weekend brightly as they took the field against old foes Movers on Friday night at Kuntz Stadium. WFC quickly took advantage of the spacious confines and moved the ball around with ease. Several good chances were created before the breakthrough finally came as Andrew Bellaver marauded forwarded through midfield, broke into the area, and pinged a pass/shot along the goal line that deflected in off a retreating defender (with a couple Wankas ready to pounce as well). 1-0 to the Wankas, but they were still in full flow. Sustained pressure saw a cross from Andrew inside right end up on the toe of Carl Britton, whose deft first touch eluded a defender and set him alone with the goalie. Getting there first was the easy part, but there was still plenty for Carl to do as he gathered himself and calmly slotted beyond the retreating defense. 2-0 to WFC at the break. Confidence swelled, but fitness and composure would be their undoing as the game began to get ragged. Play opened up as the Movers pressed to get back into the game. Had any of a few counter-attacking opportunities been seized, then a fightback would have been too little too late. But WFC's profligacy in front of goal would see them pegged back by a well-built bit of play from the Movers, and their fine passing was finished off to halve the lead. A tense finish would be in the cards as WFC consistently put themselves on the back foot, and a tired tackle late on would provide the Movers with the opportunity to tie the game from the spot. Jeff Graham guessed right and was a fingertip away, but the ball nestled in for 2-2. A heated final 10 minutes ensued as both teams began to feel the pressure with heavy tackles and some lost nerves. Despite having the better and more chances, the Wankas once again could only take a point for their efforts.

Scoring: Bellaver (unassisted), C Britton (Bellaver)

If the frustrations mounted due to having outplayed their opponents only to gain a draw for their work, then Sunday's game would prove heartbreaking. The entire first half on Sunday consisted of terrific build-up play, controlled passes, and well-worked scoring opportunites, coupled with an imperious defensive display from all along the backline. Lee Britton and Jamie Maggard put the clamps on the speedy AmaZulu front line, and Steve Kirchhofer, Mark Simmonds, and Pfenne Cantrell provided the grafting elsewhere to keep the Zulu attack at bay. It is no stretch to say that WFC could have had a multiple goal lead going into the break, but their only first-half goal came through some nice movement along the wing, culminating in a special individual effort from Troy Divis to setup Ross Kenyon for a close-range finish. Unfortunately, one momentary lapse at the back allowed the pacy Zulu attack into the box. Even then they required some help as his shot was deflected, and the attempted clearance then hit a Wanka defender to end up in the net. 1-1 at the break, but WFC clearly a superior side. WFC continued its dominance in the second half, and several opportunities went begging before Sam Robertson took matters into his own hands. Receiving the ball from Sky about 40 yards out, Sam cut inside from the left and unleashed a low drive that Brett Sommers did well to help shield from the keeper, who could only watch it roll past his outstretched hand. 2-1 would last only a few minutes, though, as immiediate attacking from the kick-off from the Zulus quickly led to an equalizer. Despite this setback, WFC still knew they were the better side and kept looking for the winner. It was not to be, however. A missed penalty kick was seized upon by the Zulus, and they took full advantage by scoring within minutes. A 2-goal swing in a short matter of time, and suddenly 4 games in 2 weeks began to show in the legs of the Wankas. Playing from behind against such opposition seemed to sap the mental strength from several as well. WFC continued to chase, but a last-gasp equalizer never appeared, and the Zulus managed another goal with the final kick of the game as the majority of WFC had committed itself to the attack. Somehow, some way, WFC lost 4-2 in a game they dominated for nearly its entirety.

Scoring: Kenyon (Divis), Robertson (Wareham)

WFC is playing some of its best football in recent memory, though, and a victory is only a full 90 minutes away. Come cheer them on against the Achievers on Sunday at 11am at Lawrence Park.