Aljezurense arrived at Odiáxere knowing they had only 3 weeks ago, played a friendly and drawn 0 – 0. Surely a boost for the visitors,  and a real local derby in store.

Some team changes again, keeping the players on their toes,  but the inclusion of Toco in goal was a boost. Not because the reserve keeper had not played well, but just that Toco is a first class keeper and inspires confidence.

The back four changed as Leandro was included at full back,  and Jardel was relegated to the bench. The game started in a manner not dissimilar to the friendly,  with the home team kicking anything that moved, and stopping the game at will to suite there style of play.

Eddy in midfield was having a good day and was always close to the play, making great tackles and winning most. The central defence was the same as the past two games and leaked more than a sieve, and it was not a surprise when Africano hit a bad pass for it to end up in the visitors half wide on the right. The back four were flat and the cross into the penalty area found the home team unmarked sluggish captain who sliced his shot home.. 1 – 0.

Aljezurense did their best to rally but continual violent challenges saw them come up short. The referee made several yellow card entries into his book, but still failed to dismiss the culprits that continued to use cynical tactics.

Aljezurense built upon their endurance to compete with both Eddy and Lawrence working hard to keep the visitors in an attacking mood.  A free kick won wide on the right for a violent challenge that saw no yellow card,  was clinically knocked into the home team’s penalty area. Sam rose above the home defence to nod a perfect header goal wards only to see the home custodian parry the goal bound header.  Lawrence was the first to react and he met the ball and volleyed into the home goal with great anticipation…..1 – 1.

Aljezure took great comfort from this goal and had 2 other great chances from Diogo and Sam saved.  But alas as normal, a sloppy pass forward found the home full back who’s pass through the middle caused both the central defenders of Aljezurense to hesitate, two Odiáxere forwards ran unmarked to score a suckers goal between them.

Up to this point Aljezurense were giving everything but the back 4 were vulnerable.

Half Time 2 – 1

 The second half was as much as the first, the home side kicked and Aljezurense gave the ball away too often. The home side had a few chances, but Toco was there to save the day.

Aljezurense managed to rally with some fine play between Eddy and Lawrence playing the ball wide on the right to Leandro, who pushed the ball forward but he was cut down from behind, the referee made no effort to blow and Eddy took up the gauntlet. He side stepped one player only to be hacked down as he made a perfect pass to Diogo. His jinking run at speed was too clever for the home defence, and as he entered the penalty area he was also hacked down but this time the referee found his whistle…… Penalty.

After some length of time and disagreement, Sam placed the ball on the spot, coolly stepped up  to lash a fierce shot home sending the home keeper the wrong way….2 – 2

All seemed pretty even and Aljezurense battled hard to try and get a winner but alas a mix up centrally when a long ball forward beat the visitors defence,  and a perfect volley was knocked past Toco to give the home team the lead again.

Odiáxere had a player sent off for violent conduct probably an hour too late and also, late in the game Tiago was sent off for a second yellow card offence which was laughable.

Both teams battled hard in the final part of the game and with 2 minutes of injury time left, Aljezurense won a throw in

The best view in the house!

close to the home team goal line.  Rafael 15 had just come onto the field having not played since his red card at Alvor.  He has great ability to throw the ball a long way and his throw landed mid goal area only for the goal keeper to parry the ball onto the home central defender Hugo, who played for Aljezurense 2 seasons ago.  The ball bounced off him to nestle in the goal and Aljezurense were level, and salvaged a great point.

Eddy, Lawrence, Toco, Leandro and Tiago had good games and along with the rest of the team, battled hard to get the away point.  The central defence is far too vulnerable and hopefully will be strengthened shortly.

Great point