The Local derby, and everyone seemed up for it, but this all soured when Aljezurense found themselves 0 – 2 down after 240 seconds. The first, when a bad pass found a visiting player and the ball was knocked forward to an unmarked forward who looked a long way off side, his cross shot buried its self in the roof of the home goal.
The second another poor pass being intercepted and again a cross shot from the left made it 0 – 2 and only six Aljezurense players had touched the ball, one of those being Sam who had kicked off twice.
The visitors were now rampant and were first to most balls, and hit tackles like they were going to win at all costs as to date they had only won one match. Exceptionally poor officials were allowing some tackles that were serious fouls to go, and sad to say the visitors had started time wasting from the second goal.
Yet another new line up saw Eddy 14 on the bench as well as Diago 10. There is still no pattern to the play with, Lawrence 8, Dani 23 and Serra 16 in mid field but all playing centrally. The holes left in front of the defence on the flanks expose the full backs, and time and time again the opposition took great advantage of these.
Lawrence tried hard to slide balls to the forwards as did Dani but generally the passes went missing mainly due to the will to win by the visitors.
Aljezurense although playing badly, had 4 good chances to score. First Sam 9 had a good shot saved on the line, Carlinhos 2 miss headed a corner with the goal open from within the goal area, Joao doing the same just after, and just before halftime Lawrence snapped at a shot that the keeper saved.
Half Time Aljezurense 0 – 2 Monchiquense
Changes were expected but non happened and much the same continued. Passes were going astray, time wasting, and visiting players screaming for fouls that the hapless referee agreed to. Aljezurense needed to relax on the ball and play telling passes but it was not to be.
Carlinhos 2 missed three goal opportunities one when he managed to head the ball over the bar from 3 metres with the goal in front of him undefended, the second another header from a corner from the edge of the goal area went wide. Another with a weak shot from 10 metres straight at the keeper.
Both sides were reduced to 10 men when Serra 16 was sent from the field for retaliation and the opposing defender went for the initial attack. The visiting goalkeeper got in on the act and threw himself to the ground screaming blue murder to waste more time.
Aljezurense at last got some good play together with Diogo 10 introduced to the game. His speed caused problems to the visitors and a good cross from him found Sam 9 who on the second attempt made the score 1 – 2.
It was all Aljezurense now and they carved out several chances to level the score but failed. With 5 minutes to go Calinhos was dismissed for something he said to the Referee, leaving the home team floundering, and with all out attack by the home team looking for a point the defence were out run and the visitors made the score 1 – 3 with a long shot into an empty net.
It now looks like a bottom three position will be the best that can be achieved, this display was abysmal not only individually but team wise there still is no shape, pattern or set piece skills. Why send certain defenders forward for set piece chances when they do not have the simple ability to head a ball other than let the ball hit them. It’s time to have a settled side and at least play the same team on a regular basis. Missing one training session seems a ridiculous reason to be dropped especially as the players are not professional and have other commitments.
Sort the defence and midfield out play 4-4-2 to give greater strength to the defence in depth and spread the midfield across the width of the pitch. The players look beat before they start and this must change to see better results, generally the majority of the squad are far better than the results show and the New Year must see these changes before the team gets caught too far behind in the bottom 3 positions.
Bad officials in this league is not an excuse and players get frustrated by this but unfortunately you have to take it on the chin and graft out results, encourage each other and have faith in your ability, doing this might just turn things around.