Victory at Last!

Wankas FC ended their season-long winless run with a convincing 4-2 victory over Achievers on Sunday. The superior side from the opening kick-off, WFC continued their recent fine form by controlling the middle of the park and exploiting the vast undefended space on the wings. Achievers struggled to take advantage of some early possession and WFC made them pay after 10 minutes. A well-marshalled defense saw a harmless ball roll into stand-in goalkeeper Jeff Schroeder's hands, and his alert and accurate throw out to the wing set Sam Robertson free up the right. Sam's pace carried him into the attacking third where he delivered a cross for Ross Kenyon to latch onto. Corralling the ball along the endline, the hard work was already done when Ross committed goalie and defender and then slotted beyond everyone. 1-0 to the Wankas, who smelled blood. WFC continued their stranglehold on the midfield and simultaneously snuffed out advances and started counter-attacks. Sensing the weakness at the Achievers back, Troy Divis unfurled a hard, curling effort from 35 yards that took a tricky bounce to put off the keeper, parrying into his own net. 2-0 to the Wankas, who continued to push forward. A throw-in from the left seemed harmless enough, as several Wankas loaded up the box expecting a service. Steve Kirchhofer had other ideas, though, as he strode forward, cut inside and waited for his moment. An effort from the edge of the box seemed to have passed just as he decided to turn the corner, where he found himself alone and slotted calmly into the far corner. 3-0. WFC continued to absorb everything Achievers could muster and found their opportunities easily on the counter. Another throw out from Schroeder to Robertson allowed Sam to carry out of his defensive third before driving an arrow upfield to Andy Hughes who knocked down for Jamie Maggard to slot in Ross Kenyon. Ross was in behind the defense and did what he does best, committing the goalie to ground and then putting it away for 4-0. Some slack defending allowed the Achievers some hope at the end of the 1st half with a close-range effort. 4-1 at the break.

Perhaps sensing that their work was done, or possibly due to a conservative tactical decision, WFC was not as bright in the second half. Achievers stepped up their efforts and were rewarded with a second goal, but a real fightback never seemed likely as the push further upfield allowed WFC too much time and space. More goals should have come, but a final of 4-2 was just reward for a solid attacking and defensive display on the day.

Scoring: Kenyon (Robertson), Divis (???), Kirchhofer (unassisted), Kenyon (Maggard)