The last game of the season and Aljezurense visited League Champions Ferreiras on a rather hot day with the home crowd preparing for a party, with the ox being cooked over the spit.

Ferreiras’ grass playing surface looked like a ball had not been kicked on it since last season, so no excuses for the surface.  The champions had only 10 days ago scored 8 past Castromarinense who are one place above Aljezurense in the league table, and all were hoping that history was not repeated.

With Eddy taking the place of Noel who had received a red card last week, the defence didn’t look strong but number one keeper Toco was in magnificent form. The quick thinking and speed of the home side had Aljezurense on the back foot on more than one occasion, but Toco was superior to the shots and the score remained level up until 10 mins before halftime.

The referee and linesman were acting far too casual and allowed a free kick to Ferreiras to be taken not only in the wrong place, but without the usual wait for the whistle.  This caught the visitors napping, the home forward was forced wide and his low cross struck one of his team mates on his side and the ball crossed the line unchallenged.

Although Aljezurense had not carved out too many chances, they did not deserve to be destroyed by poor refereeing.

Dani, Lawrence and Sam worked hard to keep the ship stable and the score remained 1-0 at halftime.

The second half started like the first with the speed of the home forwards giving the visitors defence big problems, and on 3 occasions Toco was left one on one but his agility kept the score line the same.

Aljezurense made some changes replacing some weary legs with fresh, and in the last 10 mins Aljezurense were the side that looked likely to score.  First Sam was upended in the penalty area only for the referee to wave play on, and Joao met a cross from the left and his volley struck the hand of a defender but the penalty claims were ignored.  The game finished 1-0 to the champions.

Ferreiras have been the best team this term and are worthy winners of the league.  As for Aljezurense, well at times they challenged well, they had too many injuries to keep a stable side, the find of the season is the new second string keeper who replaced Toco when injured and played well.

The team needs strengthening and hopefully this can be done before the start of next season, but well done to the players for forging out results, enough to keep out of the bottom 3.

Aljezurense visited Faro to play for the second time on the same pitch, the last visit being successful against Cultarense. The line up started with the same side that was 0-2 down last week and they played no better this week.

The number one fault again being that too many players give the ball away too cheaply and it always appears that Aljezurense are fighting to stay in the game. Neither side created any chances in the first half and it looked like a typical end of season kick about.

The second half was no better but an Esperances player got sent off for a second yellow card and this could have been the inspiration needed to spark the game into life.  Aljezurense made a substitution and replaced Rafael with Tiago at right back, hardly a move to score goals, and in fact the man advantage stayed wide right and ineffective up until2 minutes from time.  He found himself in the home team’s penalty area unmarked, receiving the ball 12 metres out with the simplest of tap ins, but the ball was firmly lifted over the bar and the game ended 0-0.

Not much to write about and with the last two matches away against the probable champions Ferreiras,  and Moncarapachense who will probably finish in the top 4, the likely hood of more points is minimal.

Next season sees a change to the National league system as the 3^rd division is getting disbanded and mixed with Senior leagues across Portugal.  Similar to the pyramid system in England, rumour has it that the teams that finish above 3^rd in this league will make up the 1^st Division of the Seniors with the likes of Lagos etc.   All those below will make up the second division of the Seniors…but watch this space for confirmation.

On a day that Spring had surely sprung, Aljezurense were entertaining another side below them in the league. Toco was restored in goal after his long injury and all looked well for a much needed 3 points.

The game was soon to become another farce with yet another referee who’s ability to manage a football match went as far as showing yellow cards. The visitors looked a poor side and only managed to attack if that is the right term, by belting the ball in the air out and away from their goal keeper.

Aljezurense looked to struggle as their style of play almost mimicked the visitors with little football being played. However it was Aljezurense who looked the more likely to score and both Joao and Dani had excellent opportunities to hit the back of the net, first Joao won the ball wide left and with the keeper stranded 15m off his line João’s chip went wide of the target. Then again an attack down the left and a perfect cross found Dani 1m off the line and his simple tap in cleared the bar!.

Another missed chance

Not the best of starts but soon it was to become worse.  A ball played forward by the visitors found an unmarked forward who looked metres off side, but the linesman trying desperately to keep up with play waved play on and the miss hit cross  found the visitors’ centre forward who went down too easily in a challenge and the lifeless referee gave a penalty, ball placed and knocked home 0-1.

If that was not enough only a few minutes later Toco rose above the attacking forwards to pluck the ball to safety but before kicking the ball forward he bounced the ball and was challenged by the forward who knocked the ball clear of him, in the tussle the ball was kicked into the unguarded goal 0-2. It could be argued that the challenge was illegal but not with this referee.

Half Time 0 – 2

Aljezurense made changes for the second half,  both João and Eddy were replaced by Diogo and Sam. Aljezurense tried to open their goal account but little was happening, Dani, Sam and Diogo all got forward but the final touch was missing and it looked unlikely that goals would come.

The referee seemed to always give fouls against them and frustration was setting in. Then with 10mins to go Dani found the ball at his feet and his quick shot beat the defence but the ball rebounded off the post and bar, this gave a little impetus to the play and with Victor replacing Rafael, a fresh pair of legs made the difference.

Aljezurense at last looked the better side and a fine ball from Victor up the line and into the path of Diogo.  His cross was met by Lawrence who lashed the ball home 1-2. Now things were starting to flow and Sam, Dani and Jardel went close before a Diogo pass was met by Jardel and he made no mistake with his shot on target, 2-2.

Unfortunately time ran out, but a point is a point although the four wasted in the last two matches hopefully will not be their downfall.

Three more matches all away and next week’s game at 11 Esperance’s the most important.  Three points should see Aljezurenses safe as Esperance’s would need a miracle to finish above them. It would be good of course to know if Algarve Utd. are included in the bottom three to go down, as that would confirm Division 1 football next season.

Aljezurense visited Monchique on Saturday knowing a win would probably secure 1^st Division football next year and ensure the home side 2^nd Division Football next.

Having taken three points from Aljezur early in the season the home side have only won 3 games all this term so things looked hopeful, little did any of us know about a certain official dressed in black.

Aljezurense started well enough and some free flowing football and crisp passing made the home team look poor, which they are.  A great move along the left allowed the perfect cross ball to Jardel who headed the ball onto the advancing Andre 20.  He met the ball full on and his volley flashed past the keeper and into the net from 20m, 0-1 and only 4 mins. gone.

Things were now looking good and Aljezurense whipped the ball around and it looked like goals would flow.  However this was all to come to an abrupt end when Andre climbed above the home sides central defender to head a ball clear from a corner, the two players fell to the ground and were scrambling to get up when Andre rose and moved forward the home team player stayed down for some reason.  With the ball still in play the referee blew his whistle and pulled the red card from his pocket, the ball bounced off the side of the pitch.

All hell broke loose and several players received yellow cards for their indication of not knowing what was going on,  but alas Aljezurense were 1 – 0 up with now only 10 men and a penalty to boot.  But no,  the referee gave a throw on, so in his quick judgement he has made an outrageous decision, and bottled the penalty.

Things were to get worse though,  and it appeared that every free kick went Monchiquense way and the referee’s yellow card kept springing from his pocket for innocuous challenges.

Aljezurense were all at sixes and sevens and although the home side were poor,  small gaps appeared when defending and half way through the half the home side were level. A corner on the right looked easy enough for the keeper Luis as he was unchallenged,  but the swirling wind caught the ball and he could only knock it into the path of a forward who scored with ease 1-1

Then something happened that none of the supporters knew about, the linesman went on the pitch to talk to the referee and without hesitation he sent the home team manager off, doing well now 2 reds and 5 yellows.

Monchiquense were bolstered by this and made several attacks on the Aljezurense goal,  but the defence held strong although gaps were showing where Andre played and changes were needed to ensure the best result. Then just before halftime,  a move down the right caught the visitors,  and although looking like offside the linesman waved play on and a cross into the penalty area found Monchiquense’s centre forward who scored with ease, 2-1.

The second half saw some change and Rafael came on to play right back and it appeared that Jardel was sacrificed for this. This change made all the difference.  Rafael blocked the hole and also Aljezurense had the advantage of the long throw expert. Football started to flow from the visitors,  but the punishing final pass went missing. Mid field was being bypassed and Eddy started to miss tackles and pass the ball square,  and Aljezurense were lucky to clear up a few chances made by the home team.

Still the referee was not going to be outdone, and in one single move he showed the yellow then red card to Bruno on the Aljezurense bench and the tally was now 3 red and 9 yellow……(Look at me I am a star!)

Aljezurense played some of their best football in one small patch when Rafael, Lawrence and Dani interchanged passes and Dani’s shot went just wide. Joao who had gone close with free kicks hit a great shot from 25m out but the keeper stretched to the full and made a great save. It didn’t look Aljezurense’s day.

Sam 9 came on as did Carlinhos 2 and at times just after this,  Aljezurense were caught when the defence played too far forward and last gasp defending saved the day.

Aljezurense started to look likely to score,  as the home side made little of the extra man. Some good passing in midfield found Lawrence some 25m out and his crisp shot beat the keeper but bounced off the underside of the bar, Pop was quickest to react and he headed the ball home to make the scores level, 2-2.

Aljezurense were now pressing to win and Dani, Sam and Joao went close but with 2 mins. of injury time left the defence got caught from a corner, the ball was played quickly forward and left the keeper one on one with the attacking forward, his drive was goal bound but Luis made a fantastic save to keep the point safe.

Not the greatest of football matches and a display by a referee who should not be allowed to take part at any level and by far the worst seen by the following support. His collection ended with 3 Red Cards and 14 Yellow Cards, it can only be assumed that he has to write reports for these to the Football Association. They would be worth reading as he would not have a clue what to write.

Andre and Aljezurense were unlucky with the red card as it unbalanced the team and little if nothing until halftime,  was done to sort out the problem. Andre is a fine player and has done well to return from last term’s injury,  and is the sort of quality the team needs. Rafael made the difference second half and was the perfect foil for Andre.

Now we need 2 more wins to ensure safety as it’s still not known if Algarve Utd.  will be included in the bottom 3. If they are, the bottom 2 at present cannot over take Aljezurense but 6 points would defiantly make it safe.