Showers before kick off had freshened up the plastic pitch and the ball was difficult to control as it whipped off the slick surface. Culatrense in magnificent pink played the ball around and were happy to make 20 passes when 3 might have done. Aljezurense found it difficult to get the ball in the right places as the mid field minus Dani struggled to get a foot on the ball.

The defence were strong though and many attempts at the Aljezurense goal were thwarted until some slick passing along the right flank freed the home forward who turned inside Victor and unleashed a shot that was heading goal wards.  Luis in goal stood his line and made a magnificent one handed save to parry the ball wide. This seemed to spur the visitors, and in a period of play before halftime Aljezurense were more in control of the game.

Noel was again dominant at the back and Luis in goal punched, parried or caught all the visitors could muster but to no avail.

The Red Cross were in attendance and they brought the stretcher on 3 times, twice carrying off home side players that were replaced because of injury.

Half Time Culatrense 0 – 0 Aljezurense 0

The second half started with the home side playing with more purpose, whipping the ball around but without the penetration they were wanting.  Lawrence and Eddy were getting control of most of the loose passes made by the home team, and used the ball well, giving Jardel, João and Pope opportunities albeit slim.  The home defence were happy to tug shirts or trip the goal bound Aljezurense forwards to gain advantage.

Mid way through the half Aljezurense built from the back and Noel 17 found Lawrence 8 who’s quick pinpoint pass released Pope 18 wide on the left, he quickly changed feet moving the ball inside the full back.  He hit a furious shot from fully 30 m across the keeper and the ball screamed into the far top corner.  What a goal!  fully deserved as Aljezurense were more than holding their own.

Supporters were looking at watches and were alarmed that there was still 20 plus minutes left to play.  Culatrense made a change and a giant of a man came on to play up front for them.  Waves of attacks came but the visitors defended superbly from front to back, keeping the score line in Aljezurense’s favour.

The visitors’ forwards were given a bit more room as the home side tried to push forward, and both Jardel with a fine shot from inside the box, and João with an exquisite shot from just outside the box, left the keeper rooted to his line as the ball grazed the outside of the post.

Aljezurense made some changes to strengthen the defence and Nuno and Dani were introduced to strengthen mid field. With time running out the home side won a corner. The ball was knocked in long from the right to the back of the penalty box, was headed forward to the far post, up popped the giant who lashed the ball into the goal from 1 metre, but was adjudged by the referee’s assistant to be off side.

This incensed the home team and their play faltered as they threw caution to the wind in trying to get a point, however all to no avail and after 5 minutes extra time, the referee blew to end the game.

Great game to watch, -well done to all, as the result was thoroughly deserved. The referee and his assistants were easily the best by far that have officiated their games this term. So for 2 weeks running Aljezurense have taken points from sides in the top 4 of the league and the results were well deserved.

The new keeper has grown in stature and was adjudged man of the match by the travelling supporters although the whole side could have deserve this accolade.

On a blustery afternoon Imortal DC arrived expecting to win this 1^st Division Match but they were taken by surprise by an enthusiastic Aljezurense out to prove a point after last week’s disappointment.

Some fine flowing football from the home side put the visitors on the back foot, and both João and Pop were having a field day on the flanks. The side at last looked better defensively with Noel a tower of strength centrally. This gave the platform for some good moves and both Dani and Lawrence had the better of the mid field.

After some fine interchange of passes, Dani released Rafael 15, marauding from defence down the right wing.  His fine cross beat the visitors’ defence and there was Jardel to strike the ball home 1-0.

Imortal reacted to this goal and time after time as passes broke down, the visitors flung themselves to the ground urging an exceptionally poor referee to show yellow card after card for nothing.  Aljezurense steadied the advances of  Imortal and Noel almost single handed, had the inept visiting forwards in his pocket.

Some more interplay between Jardel, Lawrence and Dani gave Aljezurense their second chance of a goal, but Dani’s shot from the right flashed across the face of the goal instead of settling in the net.

Halftime:  Aljezurense 1 – 0 Imortal DC

Imortal started the second half with purpose, and chased everything including the ball when it went out of play. They were at last putting passes together and Aljezurense were pushed further and further back.  Noel still was the better and on several occasions his last gasp challenges saved the day.

Aljezurense made some changes João was replaced by Sam, and Eddy pushed a little more forward to help the overrun midfield.  Still Imortal had no answer, and it was Aljezurense that should have gone further ahead.  A ball won in midfield released Sam, his pass was knocked on by Jardel and  Tiago was left all on his own 20 metres out of goal with only the keeper to beat, his placed shot beat the keeper but flashed wide of the post.

Imortal were now throwing everything at Aljezurense and yet another dive by an Imortal forward saw the referee reach for the second yellow card for Tiago – down to 10 men and what hope to get points now.

Still Noel was the better and wave after wave of attacks from Imortal, was  floundered by his excellent defending, until a quick break away down the visitors right through the gap left by Tiago’s dismissal.  The perfect cross was met by the visitors, central attacker who miss headed the ball towards goal to another forward who was at least 2 metres off side.  The ball was knocked into goal and everyone looked towards the young Linesman and awaited the raising of the flag, but he stood looking shaken.  Even the referee awaited the flag but nothing happened, 1 – 1.

Now it was like the Alamo. Imortal attacking time after time but all to no avail.   Aljezurense saved a point which should have been 3. Well done everyone.  As a team Aljezurense played much better than on some occasions this term and Noel 17 had a fine match.

The only down side was to see Sam limping at the end and would guess that a longer layoff is required to put him right, Dani looked exhausted after a hard fought battle in the mid field.

Next week away to high flying Culatrense who won 1-0 in Aljezure in November.  Points would be great and probably seal another season in the First Division.