Mixed weekend – Junior teams lead the way.

It was a busy weekend for Casuals, with four teams playing league fixtures. Yesterday the U18s began with a good win against Lousada. Although they only opened the scoring after 28 minutes, the visitors then equalised barely a minute later. In the second half some strong Casuals attacking play finally allowed them to open up a two goal lead and in fact they should have built on this. Instead they conceded from a Lousada penalty corner and had to hold on for the last quarter of an hour for a deserved 3-2 win.

The Ladies then struggled to withstand some strong attacking play by Sport Club but, despite some outstanding saves from their keeper, Sport eventually opened the scoring in the 46^th minute. A tired Casuals team them conceded two more goals, the second of which came cruelly just before the final hooter.

This morning the U15s had no trouble beating a depleted Casa Pia A team. At half time they were already 6-1 up and they scored 3 more goals in the second half, with the last goal coming from a very neat move involving a string of 5 passes.

The Men travelled to Espinho for their rather more tricky match against Lamas. After going down a couple of goals early on, they were always going to find recovery difficult. Despite finding the net several times in a high-scoring game, they eventually went down 4-7.

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Ladies

On Tuesday the Ladies played an U18 Girls team from Ilkley School. Leading 3-1 at half time, the Casuals had to weather a bit of a comeback by Ilkley, but eventually ran out 5-3 winners with a good attacking display.

U13

In spite of a new goalie and new defensive line up, the U13s did not really find their rhythm against Casa Pia yesterday and one field goal in the first half was all they could manage in their 1-0 win.

U15

This morning it was the U15s turn to play Casa Pia and, after their previous 2-2 draw, this was a much more coherent exhibition. By the interval they were 2-0 up and in control of the game. A couple of close misses by the Casuals were only precursors of another goal, which they duly scored 3 minutes from time for a good 3-0 win.

Ladies

The Ladies travelled north yesterday for a tough game against Lousada U18 Boys. Although they were losing 0-7 at half time, they adjusted better in the second half, conceding only 3 more goals. Despite the result the ladies had made one of the most well played game since the beginning of the season, giving good references for what is about to come!!

U13

The U13s, playing without their usual defensive line-up and with a new goalie, gave Casa Pia A a chance to exploit their lack of experience. The visitors duly opened the scoring in the first 5 minutes with a well hit field goal from their strongest player. But the, by now, well experienced U13 midfield soon got into its stride and started their familiar passing game to give Casuals a 3-1 lead at the interval, all from field goals. They squandered several short corner opportunities during the game but 2 more field goals in an admittedly scrappier second half left Casuals clear 5-1 winners.

Men

In today’s match against Carris, the Men were a little unfortunate to be 0-3 down at the break: despite a terrific goal-line clearance, they conceded two penalties and a penalty corner. But they came out after the break in a much more determined mood, and within 3 minutes they had scored from a slick move that ended with a reverse stick tip-in. Although they put increasing pressure on Carris, this was to be the only goal of the second half.