Aljezurense battled hard to win this match and ran out worthy winners. Several team changes from the last game saw Abel 12 replace Toco 13  in goal, Jardel 21 start up front and Laurence 18 replacing Fabino 5 in midfield, at last a strong squad.

With the ball fizzing about it was not long before the visitors’ number 9 showed his hand and in quick succession he made 3 terrible bookable tackles that went by a timid referee.  With this followed the visitors’ number 20 who thought he would get in on the act and he tried exactly the same ploy.

Kieran at the centre of defence was having an off day and Abel, Noel 17 and Africano 4 came to the rescue. Claudio 69 was back to his best form and his dazzling runs troubled the visitors defence.  Simao 80 holding the ball up well, together with Laurence, forged several great passes forward but at halftime there was still no score.

The second half started like the first, with the Quarteirense  number 9 continuing in his violent ways, Kieran was now back at his best doing well,  leading the defence into a solid base from which to spring,  and it wasn’t long before Aljezurense were in front.  A corner was forced out of a smart attack,  and the perfect delivery saw Noel 17 rise above the visitors’ defence to head home a fine goal. 1-0.

The home team now looked to finish the game off,  and Laurence was having a fine match marshalling the midfield. Fabino 5 was brought on to replace Claudio, and two swift moves found the visitors on the back foot.  Another corner forced, and in replica fashion Noel again forced the ball home 2-0.

The poor referee still had not booked the Quarteirense number 9 although he gave several yellow cards for back chatting.  After what looked like a perfect tackle by the ever improving Leandro 6 on the left,  the free kick was knocked into an open space in the home defence, and the ball was knocked into the net past the stranded Abel 2-1.

The last 15 minutes saw the visitors rally,  but sound defending by Aljezurense saw the team home to a deserved 2-1 victory.

Aljezurense remain top of the league, unbeaten with 21 points. FC Esperancas on 18 points and Serrano 15 points. Aljezurense travel to Tavira next Saturday 4^th February, who have won 1 game, drawn 2 and lost 5.  Let’s hope our winning streak continues.

The first local derby of the season drew a large crowd to Aljezur Municipal ground with the home fans hoping to continue on its unbeaten run.

It wasn’t long before it was obvious the visitors were not going to lay down, and some swift sharp interplay saw Bensafrim opening up the static home defence. Aljezurense were finding it hard work to get into the game and midway through the first half a ball from the visitors defence found their English centre forward, he looked up to see African 4 backing off and Toco 13 the keeper out of position, with perfect skill the forward lashed an unstoppable volley into the home goal from 35m, 0-1.

For a short while Bensafrim applied the pressure and came close to increasing the lead but fine work by Kieran who at last was finding his feet tidied up at the rear. Aljezurense started to win balls in midfield and surmounted several moves on the visitors goal. With halftime getting close, a fierce shot by Claudimiro 69 bought the goalkeeper into action and from the save Aljezurense gained a corner kick, the perfect execution of this kick threatened the visitors defence and in an aeriel tussle a defender punched the ball away, penalty. Up stepped Casinhas 10 and his perfect shot struck the back of the net 1-1.

Aljzurense played some smart football up to halftime and at last the fans could see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Half Time      Aljezurense 1 – 1 Bensafrim

Half time saw changes to the home side with the injured Fabinho 5 being replaced by Laurence 18.  His inclusion saw a more controlled midfield and opportunities were coming quick and fast, Casinhas 10  and his front partner Jardel 21 were given goal scoring chances but the visitors defence stood firm.

Kieran 15 was having a fine game and he at last, had the competent, talented visitors’ centre forward in his pocket, giving more impetus to attack .  After a fine run by Laurence 18 a corner was gained, up stepped Claudio 69 and his perfect corner found the unmarked Casinhas 10 rising to head home, 2 – 1.

The match which at times had high spirits, kept the referee busy and his yellow card was seldom in his pocket, and it was inevitable that someone would see red.  It was no surprise when a Bensafrim defender got his marching orders. Aljezur made a few changes although it was a surprise that saw Simao 80 replaced.  Both Pele 14 and Joao 7 increased the fire power up front with Casinhas 10 slipping back into midfield and this change kept the ship water tight.

Aljezur were now well on top with Kieran 15  and African 4 solid in defence and the young Leandro 6 having his best game to date, he is undoubtedly getting stronger and more confident and these two attributes will firstly improve the defence and of course his ability. Laurence 18 with his resilience and passing quality held the midfield with the tireless Casinhas chasing every ball and a swift move by Joao and Pele gained a corner on the left.  The kick found Jardel 21 who volleyed the ball home, 3 – 1.

A much deserved win after a shaky start but with so many injuries of important players it is fantastic to see how well the replacements have stepped up to the plate.

Travelling away following Aljezurense is not for the faint hearted or for those suffering Blood Pressure problems, when once again a match that should have been well and truly won by half time was squandered, of course with the helping of hapless refereeing.

Aljezurense started well and their slick passing game on a sand pitch put the home side on the back foot. The home defence showed their true colours when continually severe tackles from behind stopped the game, but the official thought the wave of the finger was enough.

After 20 minutes, a corner from the left by Aljezurense saw the ball bounce up at a defender who calmly patted the ball to his feet, penalty. Up stepped Casinhas who sent the ball one way and the home keeper another 0-1.

Aljezurense took a firmer control as the home side seemed to have a penchant for the long ball, that continually either caught the home centre forward off side, or the ball bounced through to Toco.

The mid field marshalled by the consistent Fabinho 5 sprayed the ball around and Casinhas was put away in the clear 40m from goal.  His control was good on the bad surface, but his lob shot clipped the top of the bar when this game should have been sown up.

Simao 80 was also having a fine game and his control of both the ball and the opposition was worth the trip. The home defence continued to hack at the heels and at last the referee booked 2 of them when both should have seen red.

Half Time 0-1 Aljezurense

The second half had not really got going when after 3 mins the referee adjudged Silva 17 to have fouled  the centre forward who looked like a very poor impression of a Real Madrid Portuguese footballer, after a long protest he was booked and a penalty given. Up stepped the centre forward, with a one pace run up to the ball he managed to push the ball into the diving arms of Toco, justice except for the booking.

Aljezurense continued to control the match and when Jardel 21 was brought on, his first kick could and should have been a goal, but where have you heard that before. Simao 80 continued to entertain although the harsh challenges continued when at last the referee managed to show a red card. Within a few minutes the home side replaced the other defender to save him the same treatment, all a little too late.

With 10mins left a long ball from the home defence found the arms of Toco and seconds later the home centre forward ran into the back of Silva 17 some 8m from the ball. The centreforward fell to the ground rolling around and as Toco was about to kick the ball the Referee gave a foul, it was laughable until he produced a yellow then red card for Silva.

The last ten mins was end to end without sting in either attacks and in the 3^rd minute of injury time Serrano won a corner on the left. The cross came into the near post and it seemed fruitless but a slight nudge from a defender saw the ball beat Toco centimetres from picking the ball up – goal – final whistle.

A good point some would say away from home, but having watched it, it was another 2 thrown away. Now Machados have moved into 2^nd place  – another sand pitch,  and from memory a way of playing farm yard football.

Aljezurense were again subjected to bad refereeing decisions when last Wednesday evening a clear offside goal interrupted Aljezurenses command of this match.

Abel substituting for Toco, had a splendid game and all in all the team were unlucky not to win this tie. Still easy chances go amiss with both Casinhas 10 and Jardel 21 missing simple tap ins to have secured the match.

The saddest part of the evening was to see Andre 20 limp off only to discover he has a broken ankle, and depending on a trip to see a specialist on Monday whether he will need surgery. The bottom line is a minimum of 2 months out,  almost the end of the season, and he will be sorely missed.

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.