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 3rd 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 2nd place – another sand pitch, and from memory a way of playing farm yard football.