Palace Casuals

[talisman]

Early kick-off today was in Thessaloniki, Greece for the Cup Quarter-Final 1st Leg match against Polis FC. Yielding home advantage, 1 level and 1.6 in quality, the Casuals task was always going to be difficult. Some excellent defending and inventive attacking was all in vain as the home side picked up a goal three minutes before the break through Taider. In the second half Palace players Andreas Graf and Ben De Wree picked up yellow cards but it was all for the cause. Final score 1-0 to Polis FC and Casuals have a chance in the second leg.



If the goalkeeper made a string of fantastic saves, and the defence and midfield tackled, headed and blocked everything in sight (according to the commentary), why the crap scores?

Some activity in the transfer market today saw the departure of some long-term players. Defender Lee Owens, Defender/Defensive Midfielder Sebastian Domanski and Midfielder Nataniel Pedro Silva Lima have all found new clubs. In the other direction, the club has recruited Nigerian Defensive Midfielder Charles Salami from QLTT6 FC.



Early evening start for the League Round 14 game at Flamongo FC of Bochum, Germany. Palace Casuals were hoping to make up for the dismal performance that saw them sleepwalk to a 1-1 draw in the home match, and this they did with a vengeance. With the two strikers Catalin Neagu and Claude Pinto having a quiet game, the Midfield stepped up to the plate and Michael Muscroft, Jack McCaul (2) and Johan Shaqiri scored the goals which gave the visitors a 4-0 lead in the first 52 minutes. Shaqiri included another of his trademark solo goals and assisted McCaul for his first goal, but also featured in the defensive display which held the home strike force at bay for 87 minutes, earning him the Man-of-the-Match award. New defensive midfielder Charles Salami made a most effective debut, the only blot on his copybook being the misplaced pass which led to Sweeney's consolation goal for Flamongo FC. Another League win, and increased goal difference which keeps Palace Casuals on the heels of top-of-the-table Dimitris FC.