The last game of the season and Aljezurense visited League Champions Ferreiras on a rather hot day with the home crowd preparing for a party, with the ox being cooked over the spit.

Ferreiras’ grass playing surface looked like a ball had not been kicked on it since last season, so no excuses for the surface.  The champions had only 10 days ago scored 8 past Castromarinense who are one place above Aljezurense in the league table, and all were hoping that history was not repeated.

With Eddy taking the place of Noel who had received a red card last week, the defence didn’t look strong but number one keeper Toco was in magnificent form. The quick thinking and speed of the home side had Aljezurense on the back foot on more than one occasion, but Toco was superior to the shots and the score remained level up until 10 mins before halftime.

The referee and linesman were acting far too casual and allowed a free kick to Ferreiras to be taken not only in the wrong place, but without the usual wait for the whistle.  This caught the visitors napping, the home forward was forced wide and his low cross struck one of his team mates on his side and the ball crossed the line unchallenged.

Although Aljezurense had not carved out too many chances, they did not deserve to be destroyed by poor refereeing.

Dani, Lawrence and Sam worked hard to keep the ship stable and the score remained 1-0 at halftime.

The second half started like the first with the speed of the home forwards giving the visitors defence big problems, and on 3 occasions Toco was left one on one but his agility kept the score line the same.

Aljezurense made some changes replacing some weary legs with fresh, and in the last 10 mins Aljezurense were the side that looked likely to score.  First Sam was upended in the penalty area only for the referee to wave play on, and Joao met a cross from the left and his volley struck the hand of a defender but the penalty claims were ignored.  The game finished 1-0 to the champions.

Ferreiras have been the best team this term and are worthy winners of the league.  As for Aljezurense, well at times they challenged well, they had too many injuries to keep a stable side, the find of the season is the new second string keeper who replaced Toco when injured and played well.

The team needs strengthening and hopefully this can be done before the start of next season, but well done to the players for forging out results, enough to keep out of the bottom 3.

Aljezurense visited Faro to play for the second time on the same pitch, the last visit being successful against Cultarense. The line up started with the same side that was 0-2 down last week and they played no better this week.

The number one fault again being that too many players give the ball away too cheaply and it always appears that Aljezurense are fighting to stay in the game. Neither side created any chances in the first half and it looked like a typical end of season kick about.

The second half was no better but an Esperances player got sent off for a second yellow card and this could have been the inspiration needed to spark the game into life.  Aljezurense made a substitution and replaced Rafael with Tiago at right back, hardly a move to score goals, and in fact the man advantage stayed wide right and ineffective up until2 minutes from time.  He found himself in the home team’s penalty area unmarked, receiving the ball 12 metres out with the simplest of tap ins, but the ball was firmly lifted over the bar and the game ended 0-0.

Not much to write about and with the last two matches away against the probable champions Ferreiras,  and Moncarapachense who will probably finish in the top 4, the likely hood of more points is minimal.

Next season sees a change to the National league system as the 3^rd division is getting disbanded and mixed with Senior leagues across Portugal.  Similar to the pyramid system in England, rumour has it that the teams that finish above 3^rd in this league will make up the 1^st Division of the Seniors with the likes of Lagos etc.   All those below will make up the second division of the Seniors…but watch this space for confirmation.

On a day that Spring had surely sprung, Aljezurense were entertaining another side below them in the league. Toco was restored in goal after his long injury and all looked well for a much needed 3 points.

The game was soon to become another farce with yet another referee who’s ability to manage a football match went as far as showing yellow cards. The visitors looked a poor side and only managed to attack if that is the right term, by belting the ball in the air out and away from their goal keeper.

Aljezurense looked to struggle as their style of play almost mimicked the visitors with little football being played. However it was Aljezurense who looked the more likely to score and both Joao and Dani had excellent opportunities to hit the back of the net, first Joao won the ball wide left and with the keeper stranded 15m off his line João’s chip went wide of the target. Then again an attack down the left and a perfect cross found Dani 1m off the line and his simple tap in cleared the bar!.

Another missed chance

Not the best of starts but soon it was to become worse.  A ball played forward by the visitors found an unmarked forward who looked metres off side, but the linesman trying desperately to keep up with play waved play on and the miss hit cross  found the visitors’ centre forward who went down too easily in a challenge and the lifeless referee gave a penalty, ball placed and knocked home 0-1.

If that was not enough only a few minutes later Toco rose above the attacking forwards to pluck the ball to safety but before kicking the ball forward he bounced the ball and was challenged by the forward who knocked the ball clear of him, in the tussle the ball was kicked into the unguarded goal 0-2. It could be argued that the challenge was illegal but not with this referee.

Half Time 0 – 2

Aljezurense made changes for the second half,  both João and Eddy were replaced by Diogo and Sam. Aljezurense tried to open their goal account but little was happening, Dani, Sam and Diogo all got forward but the final touch was missing and it looked unlikely that goals would come.

The referee seemed to always give fouls against them and frustration was setting in. Then with 10mins to go Dani found the ball at his feet and his quick shot beat the defence but the ball rebounded off the post and bar, this gave a little impetus to the play and with Victor replacing Rafael, a fresh pair of legs made the difference.

Aljezurense at last looked the better side and a fine ball from Victor up the line and into the path of Diogo.  His cross was met by Lawrence who lashed the ball home 1-2. Now things were starting to flow and Sam, Dani and Jardel went close before a Diogo pass was met by Jardel and he made no mistake with his shot on target, 2-2.

Unfortunately time ran out, but a point is a point although the four wasted in the last two matches hopefully will not be their downfall.

Three more matches all away and next week’s game at 11 Esperance’s the most important.  Three points should see Aljezurenses safe as Esperance’s would need a miracle to finish above them. It would be good of course to know if Algarve Utd. are included in the bottom three to go down, as that would confirm Division 1 football next season.