O'Fallon Flames Archives

10.7.06 : Flames "Flick" Off 2006-2007 Season With 3 Straight Victories

Looking to build off their impressive fourth place finish in their inaugural season in the St. Louis Subbuteo League last year, The O'Fallon Flames opened this years' SLSL season at The Crematorium with a double-header against Costas division foes Fox Hill United and the Soulard Magpies Wednesday night.

The Flames "flicked" things off with new regional rival Justin Postle and his Fox Hill United side. The Flames quickly opened the scoring in the 3rd minute and looked to take control of the match early. But Fox Hill quickly responded and leveled the match less than 4 minutes later. The Flames appeared to be in for a battle and the match remained even at the half. "After scoring right away, I thought we'd have an easy go of things." Flames manager Jeff Drake said. "But Justin has been improving in every match we've played this summer and I should have known better." The Flames locker room door remained closed at halftime and Drake could be heard sternly reorganizing his squad. Whatever was said must have worked because the Flames came out on fire in the second half scoring 3 goals to cement the match with a 4-1 victory. "I told our guys to focus on keeping possession of the ball and playing better defense in the second half and things would work out in our favor." Drake said after the match. "We accomplished both of those and result on the scoreboard reflected it."

Up next for O'Fallon was Christian Tragesser and the Soulard Magpies. The match opened with a lot of tight defense played throughout the midfield but in the 9th minute the Flames were able to get on the board scoring just inside the top of the shooting line with a blast off the crossbar and in. Just before the end of the end of the first half, they struck again and made it 2-0. More tight defense was played on both sides in the second half and when the final whistle blew the Flames had won their second match of the night and started off the season with 2 wins.

Saturday the Flames took to the road and traveled to Crystal City to face Brad DeMunbrun and his Palace Eagles. Drake was hoping the long flight to Crystal City would not effect his sides performance. Even though Palace went winless last season, playing on the road is never an easy challenge. "We were hoping to get things going quickly this afternoon." said Drake. And that's exactly what happened. A goal in the first 2 minutes got thing going in the proper direction and with 2 more first half goals, the Flames finished the half up 3-0. One of O'Fallon's keys to victory was to contain "Little Ball of Hate", one of the most feared and intimidating players in the SLSL. Known to be a chippy player with a bad attitude, bad hair, and bad breath, LBH had numerous fouls in the first half and was seen in a heated argument with manager DeMunbrun as they headed in to the locker room. With the match seemingly in control, the Flames sat back and attempted to contain LBH and concentrated on playing solid defense in the second half and managed to score one more fantastic goal midway through the second half. A late tally by the Eagles with only seconds remaining spoiled the clean sheet, but when it was all over O'Fallon had themselves a 4-1 road victory and have started the season with a 3-0 mark.