F C 11 Esperançes 1 – 1 Aljezurense

Having travelled a long way, the away supporters were looking forward to a good game of football and 3 points, unfortunately they got neither.

Aljezurense looked the better side although Claudomiro 69 was missing from the line up. The first half was dire with the away side insisting on playing across the back, and the continual half hit passes that could easily have been turned into goals, caused problems all the half.

Time after time Aljezurense found themselves attacking one on one, only to see chances squandered, Pelé 14 (no relation) fell over when it was easier to score , Casinhas 10 had a shot well saved, Pelé 14 again volleyed over from close range when it only needed a simple tap in.

Pelé was replaced having suffered from a wayward challenge, by Serra 28 which altered the pattern of play. A great move between Nouel 17, and Casinhas put Joao 7 away only to see his shot parried by the keeper for a corner.

Half Time Esperance’s 0 – 0 Aljezurense

The second half was better.  Alexander 37 came into the match and his ability to hold the ball up and to find players in their stride enabled Aljezurense to get on top. More chances went missing and it was no surprise that when the home team were given an opportunity to score,  Toco made a fine save to keep them in the match.

With three minutes left Cashinas was pulled down in the area but the referee waved play on, the clearance was met by 20 Andre who’s perfect pass found Simão 80.  He slid by two lunging tackles in the box and hit a perfect cross to see it bounce off Jardel 21 into goal.

André had a fine run and his cross shot was well saved and it looked like the visitors were home safe.  But a needless free kick given away in injury time gave the home side an opportunity that they took, a well flighted cross found the head of a home defender 1-1.

Aljezurense kicked off and the referee blew for time, how disappointing to see once again poor defensive play.  If Aljezurense want to win this league then changes to play patterns must come.  Still they are 1 point clear at the top so let’s give thanks for small mercies.

Aljezurense 5 – 4 Tavira  on Penalties

Aljezurense booked their ticket into the next round of the cup after a nail biting conclusion to the match with a win in the penalty shoot out.

Aljezurense having made several changes to give the squad a chance of a run out, started well and were well on top in the first half, Claudio 69 was far too quick for the visitors defence.  He made several chances for his other forwards but all missed the target, Jardel 21 missed twice with open goals the second when he managed to clear a shot off the line!

Just before half time Aljezurense went ahead when Serra 28 battled well and his surge forward left the visitors defense flat footed his pass found Africano and his cross was smashed into the goal by Pele 14 who replaced the injured Claudio 5 minutes before.

Aljezurense 1 – 0 Tavira

Both teams made substitutions and the match continued in the same vein as the first half but Tavira seemed better at riding their luck.  Some poor defensive play let the visitors through twice and were met with fantastic saves from the second string keeper Abel 12 keeping the score to 1-0. Tavira equalised when from a corner Abel 12 was blocked and the ball fell free to a forward’s foot 5 metres out 1-1.

Aljezurense tried hard to get back into the lead and several chances went begging and just on the final whistle Lawrence 18  got free on the right side of the penalty area and his crisp shot clipped the bar, final whistle.

Aljezurense 1 – 1 Tavira

Penalties, always good entertainment for the supporters, but not the players.  Aljezurense were first up and Kieran 25 placed the ball only for his attempt to be saved, not a great start and worse when Tavira scored. Andre 20 was next up and his fine effort sent the keeper the wrong way, 1-1 but the home crowd were cock a hoop when the next Tavira effort cleared the bar by some distance.

Africano 4 took a great penalty and Tavira scored their next, Fabinho 18 also scored, and it looked that this might go on forever, until a fine save by Abel 12 meant that the final penalty if converted would put Aljezurense through.  Up stepped Pele 14 who sent the keeper the wrong way- home and hosed.,

Well done Aljezurense,  especially the reserve keeper Ablel who was the deserved Man of the Match

High winds were going to have a great affect in a match that Aljezurense should win, against a side who’s history indicated that the long ball and stopping play were very much part of their agenda.

Aljezurense, kicking with the wind started well on no less than two occasions  played some quick balls over the top to find firstly, Pele 14 clear with only the keeper to beat but his lob cleared both the keeper and the goal.  The second time Andre 20, leading scorer for Aljezurense, ran onto a through ball and found himself in a similar position with only the goalkeeper to stop him increasing his tally, but again his lob missed the target.

Machados spoiled and fouled their way through the first half, and although they received several yellow cards,  poor refereeing did not help the home side. At last Aljezurense were in front, Andre 20, saw an opportunity and ran at the visitors towards goal, beating 5 players  – in a magnificent skilful dribble he rounded the keeper and struck an unchallenged shot into the empty net.

Half Time Aljezurense 1 – 0 Machados

The second half played out to be very similar to the first, the home side played better football against the wind and halfway through the half Casinas 10 won a fine tackle and set off on a run down the right. He then beat the lunging full back and hit a perfect cross to the unmarked Claudomiro 69 who’s first time shot settled in the back of the visitors net.

Aljezurense made 3 changes with Samao 80 , Joao 7 and  Jardel 21 entering the affray and soon Jardel 21 was given the perfect ball from Samao, he chased onto the ball and his first time cross was struck perfectly to the unmarked Joao 7, who met the ball and hit a sweet first time shot past the advancing keeper to increase the score.

Machados continued in  a vein that indicated that they had the ability to kick their own grandmothers, and it was not a surprise when their captain took the walk of shame for a violent lunge.

With the final whistle awaited, Aljezurense still wanted more and a fine pass from African 4, found the lively Fabinho 5 who decided to go it alone,  and he produced a fine run beating 2 players, and found himself with only the keeper to beat from 12 metres which he did superbly.

Aljezure deserved the victory with a solid performance from the defence giving the midfield opportunity to hit good passes to the forwards.

Aljezurense have a free week from the league next week, And they play in the cup, at home.

19th November – Cup Match  Aljezurense  v  Tavira  – Kick Off 3 pm
26th November – FC 11 Esperanças V Aljezurense

29th October 2011   Aljezurense 0 – 0 Tavira

Apologies the delay in reporting this match but the Local Reporter was missing from the game.

Aljezurense should have won this game as they pressed hard all through and managed to hit the wood work 4 times. The team seems to be gelling together but still  needs an outstanding forward to secure victories for the side.

Again Andre 20 played a major role in the match as did Kieran 15 in defence. Claudio 69 is fast becoming a supporters favourite with his dazzling runs and fine crosses, but they still lack the player to finish these crosses.

2 points dropped really but one point clear at the top of the league.

5th November 2011  Almancilense 1 – 2 Aljezurense

A long trip again down the A22 but the away fans enjoyed a good game as well as a fine result to keep them top of the league by a point.

Aljezurense started well with Andre 20 and Claudio 69 combining well. Aljezure went into the lead when Claudio 69 was pulled down after a good run into the box and Casinhas 10 scored from the spot.

The Home team rallied  for a while and a fine save from Toco kept them at bay. Aljezurense finally got their act back together and finished the half on top.

Half Time 0-1

Aljezurense started well after the break and were once again on top, when mid way into the half Claudio 19 flicked the ball to the oncoming Andre 20 who hit a fierce swerving shot past the home keeper to put the visitors 2-0 up.

Again the home side responded and this time converted a missed cross to pull the score back to 1-2. Aljezurense defended well and the away side got a deserved victory in the end.

Andre 20 and Kieran 25 played well in defence with Claudio 69 having another good game.

Thanks go to our intrepid supporters for the match reports for the past 2 weeks, next week at home to Machados K.O. 3PM

RESULTS, FIXTURES & LEAGUE TABLE