Aljezurense riding high on top of the league needed a win to keep their winter break sweet, in a match that saw a young quick and at times volatile team turn up to spoil the party.

Aljezurense still insisting on the pattern of play that causes them so many problems, playing the ball across the back four almost came unstuck but for some agile goalkeeping by Toco. The game swayed end to end but with little opportunity for goals as the ball nearly always ran away from the forwards.

After 20mins an attack broke down the left hand side and a strike from Casinhas 10 was only parried by the visitors keeper giving a much earned corner, Joao 7 took the perfect corner and found an unmarked Casinhas to head Aljezurense into the lead from 10m.

The half finished with Aljezurense in the ascendancy, and they should have scored again when good work by Alexander 37 found Samoa 80 bearing down on goal but his shot was battled away for a corner.

Half Time Aljezuense 1 – 0 Monchiquense

The second half saw a major change in the playing tactics of the visitors, playing 3 up front, they were more than comfortable to play on the break, quick defensive clearances caught Aljezurense several times one on one at the back and in one of these breaks the visitors levelled the score, a quick ball down the left beat the wayward defence , a smart cross finding the unmarked forward who easily side footed home, 1 – 1.

Game on, and Aljezurense held firm as the visitors with their tails up battled hard to take a victory, both Noel 17 and Kieran 15 held firm at the back well supported in goal by Toco to thwart the oppositions challenge.

Aljezurense made some changes and the forwards were making ways through the visitors defence, Fabinho 5  having yet another good game and Samoa 80 were picking the right passes and soon they were rewarded, a great ball forward by Leandro 6 found Fabinho 5 who’s fine cross was met by Jardel 21 who’s crisp half volley nestled in the back of the net 2-1.

Aljezurense now looked more the part, and the visitors were back on their heels. With 10mins to go, Aljezure broke down the right, Fabinho 5 found Casinhas 10 who drifted past 2 defenders, his cross shot from 15m headed goal wards and the keeper could not hold the shot.  The ball crossed the line for the third goal, the ball was kicked out of the goal but the linesman waved goal which led to a mass charge of the visitors towards the linesman, even a player from the bench joined in….The referee booking several Monchiquense players but order was soon restored with the trusty GNR Officers backing up the officials.

Three good points and now a month off before the next match which is away to Serrano on the 7^th January 2012. Kieran 15 left the field towards the end of the game with a groin injury, let’s hope this rest is time for him to heal as he is a much needed player for the team.