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.

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 3^rd 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 5^th position, just outside the play-off places.

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.

Both Casuals’ senior teams travelled to Porto today to play Sport Club. In the first game, the Ladies kept up a much better  work rate to keep Sport at bay for most of the game. But a goal at either end of the game sealed a 2-0 win for their hosts.

The Men’s game was evenly matched for most of the first half, so it was galling for Sport to take the lead from an unfortunate own goal a minute before the interval. However Casuals came out for the second half in determined mood, and a fast break after 15 minutes gave them an equaliser after the keeper was left stranded from a square pass. Although Sport tried to attack down the middle, Casuals kept up their momentum and a close range tip-in gave them the lead with 7 minutes to go. They even defended two penalty corners in the last minute to seal an excellent 2-1 win, which takes them above their rivals in the league table.

Friday’s Men’s game against Carris had the two teams very evenly matched for the first quarter of an hour, but then Carris scored from close range and increased their lead from a penalty stroke. Casuals reduced the arrears early in the second half, but Carris converted two more penalties and a penalty corner for a 5-1 win.

Saturday saw 3 matches played at the Estádio Nacional. The U18s had no problem beating Sport Club Ladies 8-3. Conversely, the Ladies were no match for Juventude U18s, going down 0-7.

Finally, in their penultimate game before the Outdoor Finals, the U13s led Casa Pia A 3-0 at half-time and looked set to maintain their unbeaten record outdoor. Even though Casa Pia pulled one back in the third period, Casuals responded with another well taken field goal to lead 4-1 at the start of the last period. However, one of the older players was injured by a hit inside the circle, which should have resulted in a free hit against Casa Pia for dangerous play (indeed these were the Referee’s pre-game instructions), but instead was given as a short corner, which resulted in Casa Pia’s second goal. With a man down, Casuals were sadly unable to defend their lead and Casa Pia finally won their first game of the season 5-4.

On Sunday the U15s played Casa Pia A and were 3-0 up at half time, all from open play. They added 4 more goals in the second half from a penalty stroke and 3 penalty corners, for a 7-0 win.

In the afternoon the Ladies dominated Belenenses, but were unable to break a 0-0 deadlock.

In today’s Men’s match against CAMIR, Casuals were by far the stronger side. They put away a penalty awarded in the 4^th minute, and then scored another 5 goals from open play. In the second half they converted 2 penalty corners and, despite the opposing keeper making a series of good saves, scored 3 more goals to win 11-0. With two of the teams closest to them in the league table drawing 1-1, this win helped Casuals jump two places to 5^th.

On Wednesday evening the Men took on a visiting Southampton University team. After going 2-0 ahead early on, Casuals allowed the University back into the game, and at half time the home team were leading just 3-2. But in the second half Casuals stepped up their attacking play to score 3 more goals and beat Southampton 6-2.

Yesterday the U18s travelled north to play Lousada. They missed a great opportunity to go ahead in the first 5 minutes with an air shot from close range, and then failed to convert a penalty corner. But at the third attempt, afetr 13 mins of play, they managed to score the first goal of the game. Lousada scored their first goal 10 minutes later from a fortunate deflection and, with 1 minute left in the first half, they scored again from a bullet shot, taking them in to half time winning 2-1. In the second half Casuals scored first, but Lousada scored two goals in quick succession to lead 4-2. Casuals, despite visibly tiring due to only playing with 9 players, fought hard to score two more goals to draw the game 4-4.

In today’s match against Casa Pia B, the U15s needed until a minute before half time to open the scoring. But they increased their lead after the break with an excellent volley from the middle of the circle. Casa Pia had few clear chances, and Casuals were able to add a further goal from a cross from the right to win 3-0.