Having had a fine game last Sunday, Saturday football resumed at Albufeira for Aljerzurense against Imortel who were a few places below them in the league.

Before a ball could be kicked in anger in the warm up Rafael 15, the long throw specialist was injured and did not make the kick off. The manager chose Catita 11 a normal wide player to play at full back, not the wisest choice as his defensive qualities were never seen. Aljezur were reasonably happy except for the hole in the central defence that was always causing problems even against a side that continually played balls back from the half way line to their keeper and only had chances that were given to them through poor defending.

After half an hour a silly free kick was awarded for a slight tackle by Catita and the free kick was delivered into the Aljezurense goal area with the whole defence flat footed, this of course could be zonal marking but as no one was marking anyone the ball was headed past Toco to give the home side the lead at halftime.

The second half saw a change in the defence with Diogo moving into midfield and Africano coming on to make the back four the slowest in the league. Imortel changed some of their tactics and now the home goalkeeper was launching long balls forward with continual ease, and the Aljezurense defence floundered time and time again. Carlinhos 2 won little all day and his inability to deal with the simplest of tasks enabled a home forward to get the better of the defence and the ball was lashed into the goal to give the home team a 2 – 0 advantage.

Lawrence was brought off and Joao 7 entered the fray but time after time the Aljezurense central defence  was woeful and if not for the skill of Toco, the score might have entered double figures.

The final 10 minutes saw the best of Aljezurense when firstly Tiago 5 who glided past the home defender to hit a fierce left foot shot from 25 metres but the ball grazed the far post.  Then a free kick on the right found Joao 7 whose glancing header beat the keeper but slipped past the far post.

Imortel are a poor outfit and will find this season difficult but Aljezurense were on the day appalling, probably the worst they have played in 2 seasons. As stated before the team needs shape and some pattern of play, Tiago, Toco and Dani fought hard with Sam having little help going forward. Jardel 21 was abysmal up front and gave little target for the midfield to hit. Eddy tried hard but after Lawrence was substituted the midfield was over whelmed and Dani was left to try and sweep up.

Diogo gets by in defence as his speed gets him to the ball quicker generally than the opposition forwards but he finds it difficult to pick up players and is a much better player going forward as late in the second half showed.

Still Aljezurense are not too many points adrift from the top sides and need to hold on and pick up points until Noel and Andre return to strengthen the defence.

What a difference a day makes.  Our first Sunday game with the rain holding off, yet another changed side ran out to greet the visitors. It’s difficult to say what is going on,  maybe a new rotation system, with both Sam 9 and Lawrence 8  on the bench for the start, on a pitch that in places resembled a lake.

Aljezurense started well and it was not long before weaknesses in the visitors team began to show.  Some play acting and fouling off the ball began their down fall, and soon gaps started to appear. The Aljezurense midfield although still leaving big holes on the flanks at times, pressed well and midway through the half after both Jardel 21 and Dani 23 had gone close, a throw in was won on the right side. Up stepped the long throw specialist Rafael 15, wiping the ball on the strategically placed towel, to send the ball looping into the visitors penalty area.  The defence froze and Dani 23 with the slightest of glances nudged the ball home 1 – 0.

Aljezurense were now looking assured of victory, and several attempts at goal came but alas no goals. The visiting side’s frustration was showing and several yellow cards were shown for stupid fouls.  Aljezurense pressure soon paid off and Serra 16 hit a hopeful shot from 40m that struck a visiting defender and the ball looped into the air.  Jardel, totally unmarked, latched on and his looping header beat the stranded keeper from 20m entering the net unchallenged.  2 – 0 and halftime.

The second half started the way the first half ended, with Aljezurense in charge.  Although the central defence looked vulnerable, Diogo 10 cleared up from some sloppy marking. The visitors were continuing with their not so subtle ways of tackling and more yellow cards were shown.

Mid way through the second half Dani pressing forward, found Andrei 18 with a pin point pass, and cutting into the penalty area from the flank beating the visitors defence, he hit a fierce shot past the helpless keeper to open his account with Aljezurense, 3 – 0.

Aljezurense brought on Lawrence and Sam and much of the same ensued.  The visitors were reduced to 9 men after more yellow cards made red and a sloppy piece of defending allowed the referee to point to the spot, and the visitors made the final score 3 – 1.

The home supporters, happy with the result, talked about Jekel and Hyde football over the last two games, but can see that the squad is strong and with defenders soon to return from injury,  all bodes well for the future.