League

Runcorn Stadium
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Ivó Gonçalves got the match started through his kick off. Nuno Curvelo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ivó Gonçalves in the 3rd minute of the match. Tadeu Fontão charged in rather forcefully in the 4th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Tadeu Fontão the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 4 played minutes Birkenhead got a freekick which was hit by Tadeu Fontão. After a defensive mix-up in Birkenhead's zone, Luís Ermida stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Pedro Bouça came out of the goal and Luís Ermida tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The long shot by Alão Malheiro in the 8th minute really tested Pedro Bouça's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Custódio Canales succeeded in the game's 15th minute to shoot an unreachable shot under the crossbar and scored - 1-0. 22 minutes into the match, Birkenhead's goalkeeper Pedro Bouça had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Luís Ermida. In the 24th minute Custódio Canales shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pedro Bouça saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 26 minutes into the match, Luís Ermida had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Pedro Bouça. Birkenhead's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Luís Ermida was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-0. 29 minutes into the match, Runcorn's goal looked a bit too open when Lopo Firmino came free, but Nuno Curvelo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Alda Bastos during the 30th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, Runcorn's Alda Bastos got a free kick in the 30th minute. A collision led to Runcorn getting a freekick after 36 minutes play. Toni Areosa hit a great ball. Tadeu Fontão got his second yellow card in the match during the 38th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. After having played for 43 minutes, Luís Ermida managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Runcorn's supporters crossed their fingers, but Luís Ermida was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Custódio Canales in the 47th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Pedro Bouça prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Custódio Canales made a kick off. Pedro Bouça showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luís Ermida in the 52nd minute of the match. Runcorn's Luís Ermida got a good chance for a goal in the 54th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Pedro Bouça took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Luís Ermida, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Toni Areosa charged in rather forcefully in the 61st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Toni Areosa the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. When the match had been going on for 63 minutes, Birkenhead's Marílio Roma got an opportunity to shoot a penalty. He stayed cool and waited for the goalkeeper to move, before he confidently shot the ball into the goal, to the left of Nuno Curvelo. In the 66thth minute of the game Luís Ermida who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Birkenhead's Pedro Bouça was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Luís Ermida sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Pedro Bouça showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Custódio Canales in the 76th minute of the match. In the 76th minute, Custódio Canales ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Pedro Bouça was frozen by the shot and now it was 3-1. Luís Ermida recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 79th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. When Runcorn's Custódio Canales in the 83rd minute got a chance for a shot 83rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Birkenhead's goalie prevented a goal. Birkenhead's Pedro Bouça played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luís Ermida in the 86th minute of play. After 89 played minutes Birkenhead got a freekick which was hit by Ivó Gonçalves. In the 93rdth minute of the game Custódio Canales who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Birkenhead's Pedro Bouça was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 94th minute of the match Toni Areosa sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Pedro Bouça skillfully saved the ball.