Penalty Ghol?

As the pre-MWC tune up games raged all around the world, the battle lines are becoming more clearly etched and the makings of some full-scale grudge matches are likely just over the horizon. Many of the top-ranked squads from all over the West have been pitting themselves against one another in so-called "exhibition" matches, and in true Myth tradition, the games usually degenerate into a full-scale bloodbath.

Such was the case for the Scottish Nationals as they played their exhibition match versus the Ghol United squad Thursday last at Tramist's Stadium just outside of Madrigal. The unorthodox playing style and tactics of the ghols proved to stifle the Plaid attack for the duration of the first half, but it was a controversial sequence with three minutes remaining in the game that raised the ire of the Scottish footballers.
The G.U. left winger Disabler led the charge up through the Scot defense on the way to their first and only coordinated rush on the Plaid goal. Stopping just short of the baseline, Disabler stopped, spun on his heel, and flung the ball cross-field towards the mouth of the goal where the Ghol sweeper Masher received the pass and kicked the ball easily past a seemingly "stunned" Scot goalkeeper Surtnr of the Shadowless Hands for the only score of the game. The Scottish defenders immediately swarmed the civilian referee in protest claiming foul play. Sure enough, on instant replay, just as the ball began to arc downwards, G.U. midfielder Thrasher was seen reaching into his pouch and tossing a fresh wight's head at Surtnr of the Shadowless Hands, rendering him paralyzed and allowing Masher to score the deciding "ghol".
Chaos ensued, and from some hidden cache, claymores and cleavers somehow found their way onto the field. Injuries were severe, but no casualties were incurred due to the pre-tournament qualification standards that prohibit entrants from inflicting any casualties prior to the official MWC kickoff later in August. Luckily, the Heron Avengers were stopped overnight in Madrigal on their way to their exhibition match next week versus the Rhi'anon Rumblers. The journeyman healers were summoned and, by the end of the night, there was not a mandrake root left to be had in the entire city as the Avengers tended to the throngs of injured players and spectators.
In spite of the video replay evidence, the goal was allowed to stand and the armed engagement summarily ended the contest, allowing Ghol United to lumber away with a shocking 1-0 victory. While the Scots played the remainder of the game under protest, the game's result is not expected to affect the pre-tournament seedings, but you can count on the odds-makers to raise an eyebrow at the impressive, if not dastardly, techniques of the G.U. squad.
The Ghol United and Scottish National squads are fortunately assigned to opposite brackets for the opening round of the MWC tournament, but should their paths cross again, it is this reporter's opinion that all the mandrake in Covenant won't make a difference. Incidentally, all injured players from both teams have recovered from their wounds and are expected to play in their next set of exhibition games. This is shaping up to be the greatest Myth World Cup in many millennia!