Wankas Suffer 3 Straight Losses

Apologies to WFC players, fans, family members, and blog lurkers! The stop-start tempo of the season (and the Colonel's IT demands) have kept this blogger from keeping you up to date. Sadly, you haven't missed much.

The boys in yellow and black have struggled mightily in the first half of the season. Bad weather and other scheduling issues have forced long stretches without soccer, and these layoffs appear to have adversely affected the Wankas. In the past few weeks they have fallen to ISC Falcons, ISC AmaBhubesi, and Hoosier Daddies by scorelines of 3-1, 8-1, and 3-1, respectively. Despite such lopsided scores, the Wankas have played some decent soccer at times. Unfortunately, these have been all too brief, and whatever superior play they've demonstrated has not translated into a deluge of goals.

Against the Falcons, WFC demonstrated some quality passing but put themselves on the back foot due to high-speed pressure on their defense. After falling down 3-0 to an own goal, a pk, and one opportunistic shot, the ease with which the Wankas hauled back a goal seemed promising. Ross Klippel finished off a very bright move that saw some quick one-two passing and a nice setup by Pfenne Cantrell. A full fightback was not in the cards, however, and WFC would have to wait a few weeks before seeing the field again.

That return was inauspicious as well. The Wankas took the field with nearly a full squad available, and they quickly went on the attack. WFC squandered several golden opportunities in the early stages before finally finding the back of the net through Troy Divis, who was played in nicely by new-boy Andrew Bellaver. Sadly, few more shots were to follow, as ISC AmaBhubesi turned things up several notches and immediately equalized. Minutes later, an easy second opened the floodgates, and WFC would struggle to see this one out. Shoddy defending, wasted passes, a lack of intensity.... it's one best forgotten.

2 days later, WFC would attempt to right themselves against old foes Hoosier Daddies FC. Again, WFC came out of the blocks the better side, and they created some half-chances with quality passing along the wings. Andrew Bellaver once again marauded and controlled midfield, and his efforts were rewarded as he made a long run upfield, broke free into the box, and played an incisive pass into the path of Ross Klippel who did well to turn it home under intense pressure. But it is WFC's focus that goes missing at times, and it once again wandered off as a sea of yellow jerseys failed to close down a lone HDFC attacker who thundered a right-footer through a crowd and past the helpless Wanka keeper. 1-1 at the break. The second half was much like the first for long stretches, but playing a second game in 3 days was a bridge too far for WFC as first a defensive miscommunication allowed HDFC to take the lead, and then the tired push further upfield left them exposed on the break for a third, game-clinching goal. WFC's players fought hard in this one, though, and should be proudest of this among their Spring performances.

The Wankas will play 2 games (Friday/Sunday) again this week, versus Movers FC at Kuntz Stadium (7pm) and AmaZulu at ISC German Park (noon), as they try to rebound in the season's second half. Hope to see you out supporting your favorite Wanka!