Palace Casuals

[talisman]

Another two vital games today.

Early evening kick-off in League Round 21 at home to old adversaries Levski of Sofia, Bulgaria and a game of two halves. Two goalkeeping howlers by Levski keeper Abderazzak gifted the home side with a two goal lead by the half hour mark, letting goal bound shots by eventual Man-of-the-Match Charles Salami, and Omar Hansen reach the back of the net. Something like that can knock the confidence out of a team, and it was no surprise that Casuals took advantage by doubling the lead by the break, Johan Shaquiri's corner being headed home by Hansen and Catalin Neagu firing home a 25 yarder past the diving keeper. It was obvious the visitors had had a stiff half-time lecture and in the second half provided sterner opposition, such that the half was goalless and the final score was 4-0. Casuals have now guaranteed promotion and Champions League football next season.



Fellow League members Suppellettile FC from Galatina, Italy provided the opposition in the home 1st Leg of the Champions League Semi-Final. The recent League game in Italy had been goalless, and it took until the 53rd minute for the deadlock to be broken by Casuals in this match, Catalin Neagu hurrying through the defence and prodding the ball past the visiting keeper. 16 minutes later, he repeated the feat to make the score 2-0, which it stayed until the end. The long injury-free period that Palace Casuals had enjoyed was broken late on when team captain Anurak Arma pulled up with a heavy ankle strain. The medical team will be working overtime to get him ready for the important games ahead.