Aljezurense started 2013 entertaining the League Leaders, and with several players side lined through injury and suspension it was not going to be plain sailing. Aljezur fell foul of a sly trick from a corner with everyone caught flat footed a simple cross on the line found a defender’s foot and they were one goal down after 4 mins.
Aljezur rallied but quick breaks from the visitors’ defence too often left the home defence floundering, and only quick recovery work and some good keeping kept the score at 0-1.
Mid way through the first half with Aljezurense were on the attack a needless challenge from behind on Andrie Pope gave the hapless referee no alternative but to point to the spot. Up stepped the lively Sam to slam the ball into the net to level the scores.
This gave Aljezurense the spur they needed and were soon in the ascendancy and two fine saves from Sam and Dani’s efforts kept the visitors in the match.
Half Time Aljezurense 1 – 1 Moncarapachense
The second half started much the same as the first, the home side were still being caught at the back by quick slick movement from the visitors, and it was not long before one of the breaks cost the home side. From defending a corner, Moncarapachense played the ball forward and the home defence were 4 against 1 down, and the pass across goal left the visitors with an open goal 1-2.
Sam, Dani, Tiago and Noel were battling hard but the need for a tactical change from the coach never came. Still the break a ways were coming thick and fast and Aljezurense fell further behind from a goal identical to the second.
Jardel was introduced up front and his height caused a few problems for the visitors and he and Sam went close but the visitors’ custodian did well and kept the score line the same.
Still Aljezur battled but with 2 goals the difference, it was difficult to see how they could get level and with 10 mins. to go once again the defence were caught from a quick cross field pass. Noel unluckily intercepted the ball but it dropped to the visitors and the keeper who was caught half and half was easily beaten to give them a well earned 3 points.
The good news is that the injured Toco, Andrie and Lawrence should soon be available, Victor has now served his 2 match ban and Kieran is back from England and was on the bench for this match.
The main worry is the little action shown from the trainer who could have secured the back line of defence by a few changes and Kieran was the likely change to make. With a stronger back four Moncarapenches might have struggled and this would give a better platform for the midfield and forwards.
All in all not totally a bad show, and with results going Aljezuense’s way, they stay above the drop zone and hopefully onto better results this New Year.