Captain, Bill Trimmer, runs down the ball The Garden City Flames, playing at Soccer Park in Plainview on Saturday, April 25th, handily defeated the Hicksville Bombers by a score of 3-1. Goals were scored by Tim Collins (2) and Brett Alvarez. The Flames, as well as Soccer Park, were under a bit of a cloud as the match began, both literally and figuratively: two of GC's top notch starting defensemen were unable to make this morning's match due to prior commitments with the Garden City Cricket Club (oops I mean baseball!). The coaching staff huddled through the night drawing up plans for this important match.

Midfielders Nick Donner and Greg Pahlavi were brought back as defensemen and positively shined as they took up their new positions with gusto. The man mountain himself, Peter Kelly, was brought back from his new forward spot as target man to his old familiar haunts on the defensive lines. He did not disappoint. Harry Furey, normally a stalwart on defense was moved up as an attacking midfielder. He set the pitch on fire as he pressured the Hicksville defenders wherever he went. A Flames coach was heard to remark that, "Harry makes things happen!" This was certainly true today. Captain Bill Trimmer anchored the central defense and made Hicksville attackers pay a steep price for any incursions directed toward the Flames net. The old saying 'the best defense is a good offense' was put to the test this morning and showed itself to be right as rain.

Tim Collins finds the "back of the net" - twice... Playing a crisp 4-3-3, the Flames kept the majority of the possession deep in the Hicksville end. Tim Collins broke through for the first goal with a quick shot that gave the Hicksville keeper fits. Hicksville then equalized but Collins found his way through again and delivered the winner. Brett Alvarez took a lovely through ball from Pat Slovensky, and on a lightening run, deeked the keeper and found the back of the net to provide the insurance goal. The Flames never looked back.

Goalkeeper Nick DeMoura elicited "oohs" and "ahhs" from the supporters of both teams as he made a brilliant save on a curling Hicksville free kick that looked like a sure goal. Diving high to his right he was able to make the save and make it look easy. Minutes later, DeMoura held his ground on a point blank shot by an onrushing Hicksville forward. This left the Hicksville coaching staff speechless and many on the sidelines in shock and awe.

Keeper, Nick DeMoura is brilliant in goal Saturday's win proved to be a total team effort with each Flames player rising to the multiple challenges posed by a very physical and aggressive Hicksville team. Congratulations to Man of the Match Tim Collins, a well deserved honour in light of his goal scoring prowess today, as well as his never-say-die attitude and 'can do' spirit... Toukon at its best!

"If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later."

- Bob Paisley

Pat Slovensky makes the pass!