Tremendous efforts all round for the Palace Casuals squad, as they record two wins in a day...
Cup Qualifying Round 2nd Leg, away vs FC Avenger. Level 23, AQ -0.6
With a 4-1 advantage from the home leg, Palace Casuals could afford to shut up shop in this game and take it easy for 90 minutes. This resulted in a match where defences dominated and attacks were rare. Casuals midfielder Michael Muscroft walked a tightrope all game, having been cautioned in the 7th minute and only lectured after a foul which saw home striker Mosele injured, the Management were just preparing to replace him in the second half when he transgressed again and this time there was no saving him. In between, a rare Casuals counter-attack had seen defender Kevin Pigott dribble the ball a good way before launching a shot past the keeper for a fine debut goal in Palace colours. This knocked the fight out of the opposition and they meekly surrendered the game and the tie. Palace Casuals march into the next round 5-1 on aggregate.
League Round 4, home v Boban FC. Level 22, AQ +1.2
A packed Selhurst Park-ish welcomed the victors in the earlier game and their visitors for a League game. The home side started out more tired than they would wish and this showed in a sluggish start. The fireworks for the visitors started in the 4th minute, when defensive midfielder Hardie was pulled up for a foul and was then given a straight red card for spitting. A quarter-hour in, Boban midfielder Fiorenza was booked for a foul that ended in home defender Kevin Pigott going off with a thigh injury, and Omar Hansen had his first chance at a direct free-kick, but the keeper Trainor pushed the ball round the post for a corner. A man down, the visitors understandably consolidated and Casuals' frequent attacks were repulsed by a resolute defence and a custodian with safe hands. Into the second half, and Fiorenza fouled again and was lectured by the referee, who took no further action. The resulting free-kick by Hansen was saved by the keeper. Just after the hour, Casuals made a tactical change and striker Andres Ramos replaced defender Freddy Jones and the home side started to attack in earnest. Catalin Neagu was adventurous, but the visitors defence was often rough in dispossessing him, and eventually Fiorenza offended once too often, and was awarded a second yellow card and the Order of the Early Bath. Hansen finally got a free-kick past Trainor, and the home side had the lead. Facing a side with 2 men short and with the encouragement of a goal, Casuals had their tails up and poured forwards in search of more plunder. A defensive clearance from a late attack by the visitors found its way to Hansen and he hit an unstoppable 30 yard shot past the Boban defence for the second goal.
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