An unusual day for football, but the Bank Holiday fixture didn’t live up to much. Another changed side saw Diogo10 playing central defence; his turn of speed helped but he had his work cut out trying to cover for Carlinhos 2.

Aljezurense are still struggling with,  I’m told, a 4-3-3 system and were over run in midfield which has so many holes in it that the opposition partied in the space. The home team, who had many ex Senior players from Benfica and Portamenese, hit passes into the holes and it wasn’t long before Aljezurense were on the back foot – only bad shooting allowed the score to remain 0 – 0 at halftime.

The second half saw Armacenenses get the upper hand.  Poor defending centrally from Aljezurense gave ample room for the home side to score, but the woodwork and Toco 13 came to the rescue.  A long ball from the Armacenense defence beat the visitors’ central defence, and Diogo 10 caught up with the ball only to lash it out for a corner. Crosses had been a nightmare for the Aljezurense defence and the ensuing corner bounced dangerously in the penalty area before the ball was hit in goal off the post 0 – 1.

Aljezurense seemed to rally for a short while and won 2 free kicks within shooting range, firstly Sam 9 then Dani 23 came close but that was the end of any revival. Soon the Aljezurense were beaten again through the centre, and the home forward was brought down about 30m from goal. The free kick was soon helped into the net by a forward’s head and the match was over.

Clearly a settled side would help Aljezurense’s cause greatly and of course it’s still early days as far as the season goes. The team needs to keep its shape as most of the problems arise from this, at times the midfield flank of either side is left open and this space causes the defence to be flat footed.

Probably a 4 – 4 – 2 system would help to settle the side for the moment, and give greater stability allowing Sam and Dani the run of the forward space.

Into their fourth league game and yet another changed side, not good for settled football. Faro indicated their style of football early on, which consisted of the long ball forward, falling over and screaming and lack lustre football.  Aljezurense never really got started and their lack of ability to hold onto the ball and play simple passes cost them dearly.

Dan Robinson 23,  playing his first match was impressive and his early link up with his brother Sam looks promising. However, long balls played from the back by both sides bypassed the midfield,  and this is Aljezurense’s strength.

The referee was appalling and spoilt any chance of a proper game of football – his inability to see what was happening led to numerous yellow cards and one red for Africano.

The first half ended goal less and it was difficult to see where one was coming from for either of the sides.

The second half started where the first had finished,  with the ball being played too quickly by Aljezurense.  There is a real need for someone to Boss games, and silly flicks and lack of control enabled the visitors to get on top. A quick free kick on the right left the central defence of Aljezurense flat footed, and a far post header came off a defenders leg to send the visitors into a mad frenzy.

The final part of the match was alas turned into a pantomime scene, when a visiting forward was challenged in the penalty area and Africano was adjudged to have fouled the player.  Not only did Africano play the ball, but the minimal contact was shoulder to shoulder. The referee gave a second yellow card for the  offence and Aljezurense were down to 10 men. The penalty made the score 0-2 with no real way back.

Joao 7 came on and made a difference with his pace, and a fierce free kick from him rebounded off the keeper but alas was thumped clear. Another Aljezurense attack saw a foul in the penalty area and the referee from 40 metres gave a penalty. Up stepped Sam, who had battled hard up front with little assistance, to take the kick sending the visiting custodian the wrong way 1-2.

Aljezurense battled hard but all too late with Victor 24 having a fine match.  Sadly the visitors finished with the 3 points where a draw would probably have been the fairer result.

The need for calmness throughout the side can only be achieved through confidence and settlement in the team.  With some good players yet to get fit and strengthen the defence,  Aljezurense will need to battle hard to keep from falling down the league.

Please note that this week we play away to Armacenenses on Thursday 1^st November (All Saints Day) with the next game on Sunday 4th November at home to Castromarinense.

Aljezurense arrived at Odiáxere knowing they had only 3 weeks ago, played a friendly and drawn 0 – 0. Surely a boost for the visitors,  and a real local derby in store.

Some team changes again, keeping the players on their toes,  but the inclusion of Toco in goal was a boost. Not because the reserve keeper had not played well, but just that Toco is a first class keeper and inspires confidence.

The back four changed as Leandro was included at full back,  and Jardel was relegated to the bench. The game started in a manner not dissimilar to the friendly,  with the home team kicking anything that moved, and stopping the game at will to suite there style of play.

Eddy in midfield was having a good day and was always close to the play, making great tackles and winning most. The central defence was the same as the past two games and leaked more than a sieve, and it was not a surprise when Africano hit a bad pass for it to end up in the visitors half wide on the right. The back four were flat and the cross into the penalty area found the home team unmarked sluggish captain who sliced his shot home.. 1 – 0.

Aljezurense did their best to rally but continual violent challenges saw them come up short. The referee made several yellow card entries into his book, but still failed to dismiss the culprits that continued to use cynical tactics.

Aljezurense built upon their endurance to compete with both Eddy and Lawrence working hard to keep the visitors in an attacking mood.  A free kick won wide on the right for a violent challenge that saw no yellow card,  was clinically knocked into the home team’s penalty area. Sam rose above the home defence to nod a perfect header goal wards only to see the home custodian parry the goal bound header.  Lawrence was the first to react and he met the ball and volleyed into the home goal with great anticipation…..1 – 1.

Aljezure took great comfort from this goal and had 2 other great chances from Diogo and Sam saved.  But alas as normal, a sloppy pass forward found the home full back who’s pass through the middle caused both the central defenders of Aljezurense to hesitate, two Odiáxere forwards ran unmarked to score a suckers goal between them.

Up to this point Aljezurense were giving everything but the back 4 were vulnerable.

Half Time 2 – 1

 The second half was as much as the first, the home side kicked and Aljezurense gave the ball away too often. The home side had a few chances, but Toco was there to save the day.

Aljezurense managed to rally with some fine play between Eddy and Lawrence playing the ball wide on the right to Leandro, who pushed the ball forward but he was cut down from behind, the referee made no effort to blow and Eddy took up the gauntlet. He side stepped one player only to be hacked down as he made a perfect pass to Diogo. His jinking run at speed was too clever for the home defence, and as he entered the penalty area he was also hacked down but this time the referee found his whistle…… Penalty.

After some length of time and disagreement, Sam placed the ball on the spot, coolly stepped up  to lash a fierce shot home sending the home keeper the wrong way….2 – 2

All seemed pretty even and Aljezurense battled hard to try and get a winner but alas a mix up centrally when a long ball forward beat the visitors defence,  and a perfect volley was knocked past Toco to give the home team the lead again.

Odiáxere had a player sent off for violent conduct probably an hour too late and also, late in the game Tiago was sent off for a second yellow card offence which was laughable.

Both teams battled hard in the final part of the game and with 2 minutes of injury time left, Aljezurense won a throw in

The best view in the house!

close to the home team goal line.  Rafael 15 had just come onto the field having not played since his red card at Alvor.  He has great ability to throw the ball a long way and his throw landed mid goal area only for the goal keeper to parry the ball onto the home central defender Hugo, who played for Aljezurense 2 seasons ago.  The ball bounced off him to nestle in the goal and Aljezurense were level, and salvaged a great point.

Eddy, Lawrence, Toco, Leandro and Tiago had good games and along with the rest of the team, battled hard to get the away point.  The central defence is far too vulnerable and hopefully will be strengthened shortly.

Great point

Aljezurense for their first home match of the season entertained Machados, a team who will probably feature close to the bottom of the league at the end of the season  and who’s violent tactics will see them with few games finishing with 11 men.

Aljezurense made a few changes from last week’s success and from early on it appeared that the team had no shape, formation or game plan. The midfield appeared lacking of bodies and at times a poor Machados over ran them in this area. Several violent challenges did not shake the Referee into any other action than to wave play on and on more than one occasion the active Lawrence was left writhing on the ground.

Little opportunity fell Aljezurense’s way although Dioga 10 got clear twice but his final pass missed firstly Sam 9 and Jardel 21.

Finally an opportunity when Diogo hit a pin point pass from deep in his half and found Jardel,  who’s well timed run beat the visitors defence,  His control appeared excellent as he volleyed the ball past the rooted keeper, however the linesman who was a tad behind play adjudged him to of handled whist controlling the ball and the goal was disallowed. 

Lawrence, Tiago and Dioga combined well at times and Sam was continually held back by the visitors heavy handed tactics.

Half time Aljezurense 0 – 0 Machados

The second half started the same as the first, still no shape to the side and more than ever the home defence centrally looked poor.  Both Africano 4 and Carlinhos 2 are both too slow for this level and their inability to play a simple ball always causes problems.

Machados were getting more confident with their lot as the referee continued to allow them to challenge unfairly,  and a long ball found a player unmarked and his shot went through Sam’s legs from 25m and found the far side netting to put the visitors in front.

This caused the Aljezurense manager to make changes and it was a shock to see him withdraw firstly Tiago 5 the full back and then Lawrence 8 from midfield, both were probably the pick of the Aljezurense team. Vitor 24 was moved to full back and Joao 7 came on and played wide on the right and Serra 16 came into mid field.

Still no real chances were made although the home defence still leaked opportunities for Machados who should have gone further ahead when Africano gave the ball away only for the visiting forward hit a sloppy shot that was saved by Renato 1 in goal.

Aljezurenses lack lustre performance was given a boost when a corner from the right was hit by Joao 7 Into the centre of the visitors goal area and Jardel headed home unchallenged.  This gave the home team  some impetus and put them on the front foot, a free kick from Sam deflected off the wall and Diago’s first time effort clipped the visitors goal post.

One point gained from a certain three which might cost dearly at the end of the season, the manager needs to get a system of play sorted for the next game to allow the midfield to control and create chances. Vitor 24 for a young player is a useful asset to the side with his long throws his passing and tackling ability but he needs to be settled in the side, since his arrival he has played central defence, full back, midfield and wide on the flanks and this not only unsettles him but the balance of the team. Lawrence needs greater support in midfield to ensure he acts as the play maker which he can easily carry off and his continued substitution when playing well will not help him or Aljezrense. Play Vitor in central midfield as the holding player alongside Lawrence and there would be greater stability within the side.

The central defence is a shambles and I am sure the inclusion of Leandro at full back would be a plus with Tiago the other full back.

Next week we are away to Odiáxere, in a recent friendly we managed a 0 – 0 draw, let’s hope we improve on this last showing and get another win under our belts.

Aljezurense FC star footballer Fábio António recently accepted Amovate’s Player Of The Year trophy at the club’s HQ.

Fábio António played major roles in important matches during his first season with the club.

His strong tackling, accurate passing, impressive stamina and an eye for goal made him a favourite with the supporters and earned him the vote that carries with it one trophy that remains in the club’s Trophy Cabinet and another for the player to keep.

Fabio’s father originally accepted the trophies on his son’s behalf from Amovate President Peter Johnson at their Championship dinner in May, as Fábio was away at University.

But the informal presentation was made at the town’s sports club to the player who accepted both trophies from Peter and said:

“It was a great season for the team because we won the Championship and promotion, and also for myself because of this magnificent personal acknowledgement.

“What makes it even more special is that the Player of the Year is named by the supporters who see the team playing in all our games, home and away. So it is an award I am proud of and which I will always value highly.”

The pictures show Fábio António receiving his trophies from Peter, the President of Amovate and a dedicated supporter of our local team.