Having had a fine game last Sunday, Saturday football resumed at Albufeira for Aljerzurense against Imortel who were a few places below them in the league.
Before a ball could be kicked in anger in the warm up Rafael 15, the long throw specialist was injured and did not make the kick off. The manager chose Catita 11 a normal wide player to play at full back, not the wisest choice as his defensive qualities were never seen. Aljezur were reasonably happy except for the hole in the central defence that was always causing problems even against a side that continually played balls back from the half way line to their keeper and only had chances that were given to them through poor defending.
After half an hour a silly free kick was awarded for a slight tackle by Catita and the free kick was delivered into the Aljezurense goal area with the whole defence flat footed, this of course could be zonal marking but as no one was marking anyone the ball was headed past Toco to give the home side the lead at halftime.
The second half saw a change in the defence with Diogo moving into midfield and Africano coming on to make the back four the slowest in the league. Imortel changed some of their tactics and now the home goalkeeper was launching long balls forward with continual ease, and the Aljezurense defence floundered time and time again. Carlinhos 2 won little all day and his inability to deal with the simplest of tasks enabled a home forward to get the better of the defence and the ball was lashed into the goal to give the home team a 2 – 0 advantage.
Lawrence was brought off and Joao 7 entered the fray but time after time the Aljezurense central defence was woeful and if not for the skill of Toco, the score might have entered double figures.
The final 10 minutes saw the best of Aljezurense when firstly Tiago 5 who glided past the home defender to hit a fierce left foot shot from 25 metres but the ball grazed the far post. Then a free kick on the right found Joao 7 whose glancing header beat the keeper but slipped past the far post.
Imortel are a poor outfit and will find this season difficult but Aljezurense were on the day appalling, probably the worst they have played in 2 seasons. As stated before the team needs shape and some pattern of play, Tiago, Toco and Dani fought hard with Sam having little help going forward. Jardel 21 was abysmal up front and gave little target for the midfield to hit. Eddy tried hard but after Lawrence was substituted the midfield was over whelmed and Dani was left to try and sweep up.
Diogo gets by in defence as his speed gets him to the ball quicker generally than the opposition forwards but he finds it difficult to pick up players and is a much better player going forward as late in the second half showed.
Still Aljezurense are not too many points adrift from the top sides and need to hold on and pick up points until Noel and Andre return to strengthen the defence.