League Play-Off

Espiunca
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Hugo Neto started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Marco Carvalho's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Henrique Gonçalves read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 5th minute of play. When Alexandre Dias fell near the penalty area in the 6th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Montijo FC's protests and gave Alexandre Dias a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of SC Espiunca booed when Montijo FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 6 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alexandre Dias didn't get a good kick on the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Marco Carvalho in the 13th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Henrique Gonçalves saved SC Espiunca from getting behind. SC Espiunca's Henrique Gonçalves played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Marco Carvalho in the 16th minute of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 17th minute, Joaquim Assis managed to get in a good position for a shot. Montijo FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Joaquim Assis was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Henrique Gonçalves breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joaquim Assis in the 21st minute of play forced SC Espiunca's goalkeeper Henrique Gonçalves to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 23 minutes into the match, SC Espiunca's Nuno Santarém sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Alexandre Castro narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Alexandre Castro showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Hugo Neto in the 25th minute of the match. If Nuno Santarém had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 26th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 28 minutes into the match, Montijo FC's goal looked a bit too open when Hugo Neto came free, but Alexandre Castro reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Marco Carvalho struck a weak shot in the 30th minute. Henrique Gonçalves didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Montijo FC. Henrique Gonçalves showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joaquim Assis in the 32nd minute of the match. The audience was convinced that Hugo Neto's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Alexandre Castro was relentless in the 33rd minute of the game. Marco Carvalho recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 42nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 45th minute, Marco Carvalho hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 47th minute, Nuno Santarém managed to get in a good position for a shot. SC Espiunca's supporters rose to their feet, but Nuno Santarém was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Alexandre Castro breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Marco Carvalho to make the kick off. If Marco Carvalho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rui Simões hit a great freekick 53 minutes into the match. Joaquim Assis received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 58th minute. Henrique Gonçalves tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 64th minute of the match Nuno Carvalho sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Alexandre Castro skillfully saved the ball. Nuno Santarém received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 70th minute. Alexandre Castro tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Alexandre Castro took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Hugo Neto, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Montijo FC's Joaquim Santos got a free kick in the 72nd minute. The audience was convinced that Hugo Neto's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Alexandre Castro was relentless in the 76th minute of the game. Joaquim Assis received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 77th minute. Henrique Gonçalves tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Marco Carvalho might have been able to make a better finish in the 90th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Henrique Gonçalves. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Marco Carvalho ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 92nd minute, Joaquim Assis got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. The Montijo FC players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.