On a re-arranged fixture Aljezurense entertained high flying Ferreiras to try and secure much needed points to lift them from the drop zone.  The side does not represent the best players in the squad as still there are injuries, and the arrival of the worst officials the league can offer did not give the supporters or probably the team much hope. 

As most weeks, Aljezurense were a goal down soon after kick off after the Referee waved play on from what was an obvious foul, to allow the player to cross to an unmarked visitors forward who tapped into the empty net. Aljezurense who still find it difficult to defend, mark or pass from the back were again on the back foot, but Kieran was on hand to clear up from long searching passes. 

Ferreiras were the stronger of the two sides and their tactics of stopping the game when they wanted, by blatant fouls went without help from the officials. Just before halftime the officials made their biggest blunder when a Ferreiras player received the ball from a throw in and the linesman raised his flag for off side. As most know, generally not the players, Law 11 states that you cannot be offside from a throw in, goal kick or corner, however the Aljezurense players stopped and the visiting forward ran on with the ball, the referee blew his whistle to stop the game and the forward kicked the ball into the goal.

Surprised and incensed Aljezurense players surrounded the officials only for the referee to wave the players away and let the goal stand, unbelievable.   

The half ended in chaos all through inept officials that had been party to the score line. 

The second half started much the same as the first, and saw the visitors in command with the defending of Aljezurense a shambles. Only the goalkeeper Renato comes out with any credit and his agility kept the score down as he made save after save. 

The game finished with the visitors scoring a third when a long pass found an unmarked visitors’ centre forward who had already missed 8 chances to tap the ball past the advancing keeper. 

Aljezurense have a week off and continue the league matches at home against Alvorense at Aljezur on  26th January 2013. 

Unfortunately the side are close to the drop zone, too close to allow any more hapless performances. Alvorense are one position above them and a win is a must in 2 weeks time. 

Blaming Officials is all well and good, but they cannot be critisised for bad play, poor tactics and persistent bad defending from the front to the back. Players do not pick up or mark their opponents and silly flicks and no hope passes across the back causes the team untold problems. 

Now is the time to be upstanding and fight for survival in this league, we are only halfway through but senior players need to make a stand. Dani, Sam, Lawrence, Noel, Kieran and Eddy can be a strong backbone to the on field team.  The coach needs to ensure the team is sent out all knowing what to do, why not play man to man marking as a start, at least the team may not lose.

Come on Aljezurense everyone wants the side to start winning and gain confidence and stay away from relegation.

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.