O'Fallon Flames Archives

3.26.06 : O'Fallon Ends Season With Overtime Win At Fenton

In a match that had been talked about in numerous publications and on message boards across the country for weeks, the O'Fallon Flames found themselves in hostile territory Sunday at Fenton in their season ending match with the Wanderers and manager Mitch Morice. The match was also the Charter Communications' game of the week. (check your local listings) After all the hype, both sides were hoping to put on a good show for a national television audience.

A fast paced, back and forth first half didn't disappoint the sell-out crowd. The best chance in the half came from the Wanderers on a blistering shot from the left wing, but the Flames keeper was up to the challenge and made a tremendous diving stop to keep the match scoreless.

In the second half things continued going O'Fallon's way. Three minutes in, the Flames found some luck when a turnover by the Fenton sweeper gave the Flames possession behind the Wanderers' defense. After a quick touch, a low drive to the far post beat the Fenton keeper for a 1-0 lead. Later in the half tragedy struck the Fenton club when their keeper was trying to scramble back into position and sadly lost a foot on the near post. But the Wanderers, not wanting to disappoint their home crowd and the national television audience, fought back and tied the match scoring an incredible goal on a shot just outside the 6 yard box, lifting the ball over an outstretched Flames keeper with only four minutes to play.

Just like their previous match early in the season, the Flames and Wanderers were heading to overtime tied at 1. And just like that previous match, the Flames found a way to get one in the back of the net. Forcing another turnover deep in the Fenton shooting zone, the Flames fired a quick shot to beat the Fenton keeper (possibly under the missing foot) with just over one minute remaining in the extra time. Final score 2-1.

"That was a thrilling match to be a part of." O'Fallon manager Jeff Drake said after the match. "We expected a tough match, and that's just what the Wanderers gave us." Fenton manager Mitch Morice, although violently angry with the two terrible turnovers that led to the O'Fallon goals, was pleased with their late comeback. "O'Fallon is a top-flight team who we kept pace with today in the face of disastrous turnovers. Some players should be proud, others should be ground up and recycled." Morice was then seen trying to kick a shoe at a midfielder, reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson's blowup at David Beckham.

With today's victory, the O'Fallon Flames finished with a record of 12-7-1 and have locked up the fourth spot in the standings for the 2005-2006 SLSL season. An impressive accomplishment in their inaugural season. "Looking back on our first season in the SLSL, I'm blown away by our clubs performance this year." Drake said in the post game press conference. "I was not expecting us to finish in this position. Everyone in the organization should be proud of themselves."

Up next for the Flames, the 2006 Midwest Major Subbuteo Tournament on April 8th and 9th at R.T. Weiler's in St. Charles.