On a blustery afternoon Aljezurense had a hard task to subdue the high flying Armacenense team who were 4^th in the League. Aljezurense again fielded a side that had not yet played together either because of injury or the managers choice. It was not inspiring for the supporters to see Kieran and Noel on the bench and with the third string keeper in place due to injuries.

In fairness the keeper had not been seen by the majority of the supporters, but although not the tallest of custodians he was about to show everyone his ability.

Aljezurense started kicking with the swirling wind that favoured the home side slightly, everyone watching was pleased to see the first 10 minutes  pass as generally this was a time they went behind. Andre 20, restored now almost fully fit and  Tiago 5, gave the side some stability and with Eddy 14 seated in the heart of the defence, an unusual position for him, Aljezurense thwarted the visitors attacks.

Lawrence 8 and Dani 23 battled hard in midfield and for most of the first half they held the upper hand.  Joao 7, and Diogo 10, were released time and time again only to be stifled by an outstanding goalkeeper whose agility was first class.

Few opportunities came the way of the visitors and the odd chances made were smothered by the new keeper.

Aljezure were at least holding their own and as half time came the supporters were talking up a draw as a result to give them a much needed point.

Half Time Aljezurense 0 – 0 Armaceneses

 In the second half, Aljezurense faced not only the force of the visitors’ attackers, but also the wind which appeared to have strengthened. The visitors showed little  resolve and this gave Aljezurense the fillip required and their confidence grew.  A one-two played between Dani and Lawrence gave the opening required and Lawrence’s shot from outside the penalty area swerved into the top angle of the goal only to see the visitors’ keeper tip the ball onto the bar and safe.

Game on –  Joao, Dani and Diogo all hit shots goal wards but alas the goal required did not come. Three changes were made, Andre was replaced by the long throw specialist Rafael 15, Joao by Jardel 21, and Noel 17 came on to strengthen the defence.

The visitors were still trying to breakdown the home rearguard but anything that got through the back line was dealt with magnificently by the new keeper.

With time running out a point looked certain then up popped Rafael.  A clearance from the visitors, defence was challenged for, and Rafael chested the ball forward, his strength forced him on from the halfway line and he played the perfect pass for Pope 18 whose intelligent run had left the visitors’ defence flat footed.  One touch and his perfect cross was met by the marauding Jardel who smashed the ball home for a well deserved goal.

The last 5 minutes or so left to play including overtime, saw Aljezurense battle hard and at the final whistle were worthy winners.

Picking Man of the Match was a very difficult job as probably for the first time the whole side played well, battled and looked like they wanted to win. The new keeper was outstanding and his kicking a much needed acquisition to the side’s defence.  Lawrence and Dani bossed the central area with Eddy giving a bit of stability centrally, although this position is not really his forte. The movement both defensively and attacking was inspiring at times, and I am sure the opposition were stunned by Aljezurense as their league position is no indication of the game they played today.

May be the light at the end of the tunnel.  With Kieran to come in and Noel and Andre returning from injury, the defence is strong with Tiago leading as captain from the front. The midfield looks a little more settled and both Dani and Lawrence have a big part to play in the last 9 games. Joao and Jardel are battling hard to play centrally up front, both have ability although Jardel offers a little bit extra with his strength to force defences into errors.  The flanks look good as well and Diogo and Pope have great pace which unsettles defences.

Well done everyone –  a great win, and the beer, I am sure tasted much sweeter on Saturday Night.

Someone said at the match “How do you write a report on this game” so here goes….

First it’s worth stating a few points:

•              The visitors were awarded 2 penalties within 20mins both for offences only seen by the referee.

•              Aljezurense as usual gave the opposition 2 goals within the first 20 mins.

•              The visitors did not create a goal scoring chance in open play until the 78th min. of the match.

The visitors who earlier in the season had been held to a draw by Aljezurense, fielded a side that were a lot smaller than the home side but they were made to look good by bad marking and general bad play.  After 5  minutes a ball travelled harmlessly into the Aljezurense penalty area towards the oncoming goalkeeper who called for Kieran to leave it, which he did.  Unfortunately the keeper never made the ball and the visitors’ forward rolled the ball into the empty goal 0-1.

This put Aljezurense on the back foot not for the first time this term and were once again unsettled. A move down the oppositions left flank ended in a corner and the ball knocked into the goal area, saw the keeper rooted to the spot only for the ball to hit an unmarked player on the head, and the ball bounced over the keeper shoulder 0-2.

Aljezur now in real trouble, tried to re-establish themselves when a challenge by Kieran for a ball was hit against his body, and the referee adjudged that  the ball was handled. This incensed Aljezurense players, as in no way did Kieran raise a hand, and as the ball was struck from less than a metre from him, it was impossible to tell what part of his body it hit. The penalty shot was pushed into goal off the outstretched arm of the keeper 0-3.

Within another 5 minutes, up stepped the inept referee to adjudge that another foul had been committed in the penalty area, when Rafael 15 cleared a ball and the visitors forward in normal fashion fell over his outstretched leg, penalty 0-4.

With this score line Aljezurense still had 25 minutes to go to halftime, and the side looked in disarray.  Silly fouls were given away more in frustration than anything, but a bit more fight was given and the score line remained the same till halftime.

Aljezurense started the second half in better fashion than the first, with both Dani 23 and Lawrence 8 fighting hard in midfield.  Kieran at the heart of defence was now leading in fine style and the opposition forwards had nothing to surpass his skills.

Aljezurense now looked a better side and several passing movements almost came to fruition. Diogo 10 was put away, his skills saw him round the defender and then he drew the keeper from his line but his weak shot was easily saved.  A pity because it was what the home side needed to reward their improved efforts. It was not long though until the showman of the match saw a foul in the Odiáxere penalty area and awarded the third penalty of the day, and up stepped Joao to place the spot kick into the netting 1-4.

Aljezurense were now really up for it and the visitors looked a little lost. A quick move down the left flank saw an untimely challenge by the defender rewarded with a free kick in Aljezurense’s  favour.  Up stepped Joao to take the free kick. His curling shot was helped into goal off the back of a defender past the well beaten keeper 2-4.

Fast and furious football by the home side pressured the visitors and they were unlucky when a long throw by Rafael was headed just wide by Dani.

Odiáxere now made their one and only shot on goal in open play after 78 minutes when a one two was played around Carlinhos 2 and the goal bound shot was brilliantly saved by Renato as he pushed the ball over the bar.

Still Aljezurense battled hard, Kieran knocked ball after ball forward and the side fought well and were unlucky when Dani once again just missed the target with a fine header, and Lawrence had a shot beaten away.

Final score 2-4

Although Aljezurense are now 8 points above the drop zone they still need to win at least another 4 matches to secure a place in this league next season.  Hopefully the manager will be able to field the club’s strongest 11 before the end of the season. Injuries have caused major problems, and it was good to see Andre return to the field after a long layoff.

Keep fighting Aljezurense, you may just make it.

On a cold and blustery night, Aljezurense played the fixture lost to the Tornado in November. The Silves side included old faithfuls from Aljezurense past with Cocu in midfield and Pele in the unlikely position of full back.

Aljezurense who fielded an under strength side with Sam injured, and Eddy and Kieran trying to keep warm on the bench.  They started lively with both Diodo 10 and Andrei 18 coasting past the visitors’ defence, but it was not long before Aljezurense were behind. A missed timed tackle by Carlinhos 2 sent the visiting forward sprawling and the resultant penalty sent the visitors into the lead.

Aljezurense took the challenge on and Dani 23 was the powerful source in midfield that caused the visitors the problems.  He found both flank men with ease and after a surge down the left by Diodo, a throw on was won deep in the visitors half. Up stepped Rafael 15 and with his long throw, found Jardel who’s header was knocked back to where the ball had come, only for Rafael to meet it fair and square. His cross shot crashed into the visitors netting, level 1-1.

Jardel who was a constant threat to the visitors’ poor defence, caused problems time and time again and he was unlucky when two goal bound attempts were thwarted by the visiting keeper. Dani and Lawrence hit pass after telling pass and soon Diogo 10 met a perfect pass to lash the ball home, 2-1 and Half Time.

More of the same in the second half enabled Aljezurense to dominate, with Diogo, Andrei and the rampant Jardel too strong for the visitors.  Dani taken off after a slight head injury, and Lawrence replaced by Kieran, did not falter the onslaught. Fine inter passing by the home side caused many problems for the visitors and it was not long before they widened the gap with a fine goal from Jardel, 3-1.

The visitors, looking tired were soon further behind when Eddy released Diogo down the right, his lightening pace swept him past the lunging full back and his defence splitting pass found the unmarked Andrei who had charged into the box.  His first time shot bellowed the netting 4-1.

Silves were well and truly defeated and heads were down as Aljezurense swept forward in waves.  Several chances went begging until a fine pass from midfield was met by Jardel, whose first time volley put the visiting team out of their misery 5-1, Final Whistle.

Well done Aljezurense at last 3 wins on the trot and much need points to lift their hopes for the final part of the season. Dani and Jardel were outstanding, whilst Diogo and Andrei put in great shifts, and were supported well in a great team effort.

This important match in the second half of the season was poised to entertain as both sides are well to the bottom of the league and have leaked goals, but it turned out far better for Aljezurense than anticipated. 

The game started with Aljezurense on the front foot and their football was the best seen this season, sharp in attack, solid in defence, with passing from midfield that split open the visiting defence.

Aljezurense took the lead from a most unlikely source when a fine corner by Sam 9 was met fair and square by Carlinhos 2 and his powerful header screamed into the net. 

Aljezurense then played some exciting stuff and were soon 2-0 up when a fine shot from the side of the penalty box from Diogo 10 nestled in the far side netting. All seemed well but just before halftime a needless free kick was given away 30m from goal, the free kick was taken and not struck well but the bobbling ball beat the wall and bounced over the outstretched goalkeeper’s arm 2-1. 

Halftime was not far away but it could be seen that the goal shocked Aljezurense and they managed to pull through to keep the score 2-1 at halftime. 

The second half started with some more crisp play from the Aljezurense mid field, Lawrence 8, Dani 23  and Eddy 14 defended well and splayed the ball around.  Soon Diogo was set free again to increase the lead with a crisp shot after Sam 9 had worked the ball forward and almost scored himself. 

Looking good Aljezuense continued in attacking vein but were caught out when Tiago pushed forward leaving a space behind him, the ball was lost to the opposition and they used this advantage, a quick cross ball and the score was 3-2.

Aljezure then froze and within 5mins the visitors were level when an almost copy cat goal was scored from similar circumstances to the last except the cross was headed unchallenged 3-3. 

The next 10mins. was shaky to say the least, but the midfield worked hard to regain order and on the first telling attack Diogo 10 increased his tally and the score line with a fine goal 4-3. Now Aljezurense were rampant, with regained confidence they opened up the visitors easily and Sam latched onto a fine pass to drill the ball home for a much deserved goal 5-3. 

Lawrence was next on the score sheet when a fine corner by Sam was knocked into the visitors goal area and Lawrence leapt in front of the keeper to make the score 6-3.

The visitors were well and truly beaten now and Aljezur flashed the ball forward, a fine pass found Diogo wide on the right and his crisp cross shot hit the net via the far post, 7-3. 

Aljezurense made a few changes and this did not weaken the play.  They continued to command the match, however a long ball forward bounced awkwardly in the home penalty area and a miss hit clearance by Kieran fell into the home sides goal, 7-4.

With minuets to go Dani 23 finalised the score line when he scored the eighth goal with a fine shot into the corner of the goal, 8-4. 

A great result but most importantly a fine display. At last there was talking on the field, information flowing amongst the players. The midfield dominated and the front players ran, chased down and made opportunities for each other. 

Diogo 10 was outstanding and back to his form of the start of the  season, Sam 9 was tireless in his running, Dani 23, Eddy 14, and Lawrence 8 battled well and found the right passes at the right time. Kieran held the central defence together and generally the team played very well.

At times though within this game, Aljezurense got caught out and careless running from the back, and at times bad marking cost them with silly goals.  However things can be learnt from these situations and hopefully this outstanding performance will give them the springboard to put a run of wins together, and creep out of an end of season relegation battle.

 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.