Aljezurense for their first home match of the season entertained Machados, a team who will probably feature close to the bottom of the league at the end of the season and who’s violent tactics will see them with few games finishing with 11 men.
Aljezurense made a few changes from last week’s success and from early on it appeared that the team had no shape, formation or game plan. The midfield appeared lacking of bodies and at times a poor Machados over ran them in this area. Several violent challenges did not shake the Referee into any other action than to wave play on and on more than one occasion the active Lawrence was left writhing on the ground.
Little opportunity fell Aljezurense’s way although Dioga 10 got clear twice but his final pass missed firstly Sam 9 and Jardel 21.
Finally an opportunity when Diogo hit a pin point pass from deep in his half and found Jardel, who’s well timed run beat the visitors defence, His control appeared excellent as he volleyed the ball past the rooted keeper, however the linesman who was a tad behind play adjudged him to of handled whist controlling the ball and the goal was disallowed. 
Lawrence, Tiago and Dioga combined well at times and Sam was continually held back by the visitors heavy handed tactics.
Half time Aljezurense 0 – 0 Machados
The second half started the same as the first, still no shape to the side and more than ever the home defence centrally looked poor. Both Africano 4 and Carlinhos 2 are both too slow for this level and their inability to play a simple ball always causes problems.
Machados were getting more confident with their lot as the referee continued to allow them to challenge unfairly, and a long ball found a player unmarked and his shot went through Sam’s legs from 25m and found the far side netting to put the visitors in front.
This caused the Aljezurense manager to make changes and it was a shock to see him withdraw firstly Tiago 5 the full back and then Lawrence 8 from midfield, both were probably the pick of the Aljezurense team. Vitor 24 was moved to full back and Joao 7 came on and played wide on the right and Serra 16 came into mid field.
Still no real chances were made although the home defence still leaked opportunities for Machados who should have gone further ahead when Africano gave the ball away only for the visiting forward hit a sloppy shot that was saved by Renato 1 in goal.
Aljezurenses lack lustre performance was given a boost when a corner from the right was hit by Joao 7 Into the centre of the visitors goal area and Jardel headed home unchallenged. This gave the home team some impetus and put them on the front foot, a free kick from Sam deflected off the wall and Diago’s first time effort clipped the visitors goal post.
One point gained from a certain three which might cost dearly at the end of the season, the manager needs to get a system of play sorted for the next game to allow the midfield to control and create chances. Vitor 24 for a young player is a useful asset to the side with his long throws his passing and tackling ability but he needs to be settled in the side, since his arrival he has played central defence, full back, midfield and wide on the flanks and this not only unsettles him but the balance of the team. Lawrence needs greater support in midfield to ensure he acts as the play maker which he can easily carry off and his continued substitution when playing well will not help him or Aljezrense. Play Vitor in central midfield as the holding player alongside Lawrence and there would be greater stability within the side.
The central defence is a shambles and I am sure the inclusion of Leandro at full back would be a plus with Tiago the other full back.
Next week we are away to Odiáxere, in a recent friendly we managed a 0 – 0 draw, let’s hope we improve on this last showing and get another win under our belts.