League Play-Off

Espirra
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Espirra FC's João Resende started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. If Mariano Mota had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Mariano Mota had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 18th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The audience thought a goal was coming when Filipe Branco got free with Gabriel Porto in the 21st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. If João Resende had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 27th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 39th minute, Filipe Branco left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Espirra FC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. Filipe Branco fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 44th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gabriel Porto having to interfere. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Mariano Mota was the one to do the kick off. Mariano Mota received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Xavier Rocha came out and tried to block the shot, but Mariano Mota slotted it home off the left post making it 1-1 in the 53rd minute. If João Resende had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 59th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 61stth minute of the game Filipe Branco who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but SC Cavalinhos's Gabriel Porto was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Mário Maia charged in rather forcefully in the 68th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Mário Maia the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Mário Maia kicked well hit freekick during the 68th minute of the match. Espirra FC's Xavier Rocha played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mariano Mota in the 69th minute of play. Xavier Rocha showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Mariano Mota in the 74th minute of the match. Bento Costa kicked well hit freekick during the 79th minute of the match. Espirra FC's João Resende got a good chance for a goal in the 82nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Nuno Pinho's late challenge caught a Espirra FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Nuno Pinho helped the player get up and apologised. Nuno Pinho hit a great freekick 83 minutes into the match. 84 minutes into the match, Filipe Branco had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Gabriel Porto. SC Cavalinhos's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Filipe Branco was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. Xavier Rocha made an important save on a dangerous shot by Joaquim Garcia in the 91st minute. After 91 played minutes Espirra FC got a freekick which was hit by Manuel Pinho. 93 minutes into the match, Espirra FC's goal looked a bit too open when Mariano Mota came free, but Xavier Rocha reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. For all the effort they put into the match, the SC Cavalinhos players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Espirra FC.