Aljezurense 5 – 4 Tavira  on Penalties

Aljezurense booked their ticket into the next round of the cup after a nail biting conclusion to the match with a win in the penalty shoot out.

Aljezurense having made several changes to give the squad a chance of a run out, started well and were well on top in the first half, Claudio 69 was far too quick for the visitors defence.  He made several chances for his other forwards but all missed the target, Jardel 21 missed twice with open goals the second when he managed to clear a shot off the line!

Just before half time Aljezurense went ahead when Serra 28 battled well and his surge forward left the visitors defense flat footed his pass found Africano and his cross was smashed into the goal by Pele 14 who replaced the injured Claudio 5 minutes before.

Aljezurense 1 – 0 Tavira

Both teams made substitutions and the match continued in the same vein as the first half but Tavira seemed better at riding their luck.  Some poor defensive play let the visitors through twice and were met with fantastic saves from the second string keeper Abel 12 keeping the score to 1-0. Tavira equalised when from a corner Abel 12 was blocked and the ball fell free to a forward’s foot 5 metres out 1-1.

Aljezurense tried hard to get back into the lead and several chances went begging and just on the final whistle Lawrence 18  got free on the right side of the penalty area and his crisp shot clipped the bar, final whistle.

Aljezurense 1 – 1 Tavira

Penalties, always good entertainment for the supporters, but not the players.  Aljezurense were first up and Kieran 25 placed the ball only for his attempt to be saved, not a great start and worse when Tavira scored. Andre 20 was next up and his fine effort sent the keeper the wrong way, 1-1 but the home crowd were cock a hoop when the next Tavira effort cleared the bar by some distance.

Africano 4 took a great penalty and Tavira scored their next, Fabinho 18 also scored, and it looked that this might go on forever, until a fine save by Abel 12 meant that the final penalty if converted would put Aljezurense through.  Up stepped Pele 14 who sent the keeper the wrong way- home and hosed.,

Well done Aljezurense,  especially the reserve keeper Ablel who was the deserved Man of the Match