May 11 – Last League matches

This weekend saw almost all the Casuals teams in action, with most playing their last matches before the Final play-offs, which take place over the next three weekends.

On Saturday the U18s travelled to Lousada to play Juventude and, despite being 3 goals down at the break, fought back to score the only goal of the second half. Although they had several more chances, the score remained 1-3.

The U13s played Casa Pia B and were beaten 1-2, although they squandered a penalty stroke which would have tied the game.

In the last game of the day, the Veterans played Belenenses and were soon a goal down. Although they equalised from a penalty corner, Belenenses continued to attack and by midway through the second half were 4-1 up. Casuals however fought back to score 2 excellent goals, but were unable to avoid a 3-4 defeat.

Today the U15s had an early start against Casa Pia B. They lead 1-0 at half time and, although Casa Pia equalised from a short corner, Casuals scored twice in the second half for a 3-1 win.

U15-10-11-May-2014-019

The Men then played União de Lamas in their final league game. Casuals survived several close misses and an injury scare to their keeper, but even so conceded two goals before half time. But the game really became exciting in the last 15 minutes: Lamas added a 3rd goal, but Casuals pulled one back from a penalty corner. Lamas were then awarded a penalty after a brilliant last ditch stop by a defender, but hit the crossbar. This stung Casuals into some serious attacking, from which a penalty corner conversion pulled them back to the final 2-3 score line. This result means that they finish the league in 5th position, just outside the play-off places.

Men

The final game of the weekend saw the Ladies play Viso. Although Casuals had the better of the first half, the teams went into the break at 0-0. Casuals went ahead after the break, but once again allowed Viso a scrappy equaliser for a 1-1 draw.