League Play-Off

Sapataria
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Humberto Ramos got the match started through his kick off. Alfredo Esteves made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Humberto Ramos in the 4th minute of play. Manuel Amaral kicked well hit freekick during the 6th minute of the match. Alfredo Esteves showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rui Machado, who was totally free with the ball in the 7th minute. 10 minutes into the match, Couto's Rui Machado sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Alfredo Esteves narrowly saved just below the crossbar. SC Sapataria's Alfredo Esteves played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Humberto Ramos in the 15th minute of play. Humberto Ramos sent away a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a defensive mix-up in SC Sapataria's zone, Humberto Ramos stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Alfredo Esteves came out of the goal and Humberto Ramos tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Diamantino Sousa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 28th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Humberto Ramos had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Rui Machado in the 33rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Alfredo Esteves prevented the ball from getting in the gole. With an all-out effort, SC Sapataria's Carlos Esteves threw himself towards the right post 34 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from David Pedroso, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. David Pedroso recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 40th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Rui Machado had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 45th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Rui Machado got free in front of the goal in the 47th minute he wasn't very focused and chipped the ball just over the goal. Alfredo Esteves was delighted since he was out of position and the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. The score stood at 0-0 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell David Pedroso to make the kick off. David Pedroso sent away a hard shot on goal in the 53rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 57th minute David Pedroso shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Carlos Esteves saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 58th match minute, Couto was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alfredo Oliveira to maneuver through the defense. Humberto Ramos sent away a hard shot on goal in the 60th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 68 minutes, Humberto Ramos made it 0-1 with a short kick to the right side. SC Sapataria's Alfredo Esteves tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Rui Machado recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 72nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 73 played minutes SC Sapataria got a freekick which was hit by Fábio Assunção. In the 77th minute Humberto Ramos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alfredo Esteves saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rui Machado fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 79th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Alfredo Esteves having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Humberto Ramos in the 83rd minute of play forced SC Sapataria's goalkeeper Alfredo Esteves to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 86 minutes into the match, Couto's goal looked a bit too open when Diamantino Sousa came free, but Carlos Esteves reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 92 minutes into the game, Couto's Rui Machado nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Alfredo Esteves made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. SC Sapataria's David Pedroso got a good chance for a goal in the 98th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Couto's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.