League Play-Off

Estadio Espargo
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Vasco Vaz started the match with the kick off. Luís Moutinho came free with the goalkeeper in the 4th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and David Guerreiro could save by the left post. With a little luck, SC Gravateira's David Guerreiro got control of the ball when Luís Moutinho tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 10th match minute, SC Gravateira was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by André Pacheco to maneuver through the defense. SC Gravateira's David Guerreiro proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 14th minute of the match, managed to save SC Gravateira from getting a goal against them. If Hugo Tavares had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 17th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Espargo booed when SC Gravateira was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 18 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mariano Esteves didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 19th minute, Joaquim Cruz sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and SC Gravateira's David Guerreiro didn't even have to move. Augusto Soares charged in rather forcefully in the 26th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Augusto Soares the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. 27 minutes into the match, Espargo's goal looked a bit too open when Diamantino Garcia came free, but Francisco Guarda reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, Espargo's Hugo Tavares got a free kick in the 28th minute. Vasco Vaz recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 29th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 31st minute, Armando Cunha hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a rather tough play, Espargo's Hugo Tavares got a free kick in the 34th minute. Hugo Tavares blasted a shot towards the goal in the 37th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without David Guerreiro having to make a save. After some careless play in the Espargo defense, André Pacheco kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Francisco Guarda. The Espargo fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Francisco Guarda should have stopped the shot. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

In the 52nd match minute, Espargo was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Augusto Soares to maneuver through the defense. David Guerreiro showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luís Moutinho, who was totally free with the ball in the 59th minute. The audience was convinced that Vasco Vaz's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Francisco Guarda was relentless in the 60th minute of the game. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Mariano Esteves during the 66th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to SC Gravateira getting a freekick after 66 minutes play. Mariano Esteves hit a great ball. Hugo Tavares received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 71st minute. David Guerreiro tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 73 played minutes SC Gravateira got a freekick which was hit by Mariano Esteves. Joaquim Cruz took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 74th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for David Guerreiro. SC Gravateira's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. When Espargo's Luís Moutinho in the 75th minute got a chance for a shot 75th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye SC Gravateira's goalie prevented a goal. Manuel Porto hit a great freekick 77 minutes into the match. In the 79thth minute of the game Vasco Vaz who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Espargo's Francisco Guarda was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Hugo Tavares in the 84th minute of play forced SC Gravateira's goalkeeper David Guerreiro to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. David Guerreiro showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Hugo Tavares in the 86th minute of the match. After having played for 87 minutes, Luís Moutinho managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Espargo's supporters crossed their fingers, but Luís Moutinho was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. A collision led to SC Gravateira getting a freekick after 90 minutes play. Mariano Esteves hit a great ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Luís Moutinho in the 93rd minute of play forced SC Gravateira's goalkeeper David Guerreiro to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Espargo were disappointed that they only managed a draw, even though they felt themselves to be the better team.