League Play-Off

Estadio Cabenco
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Jorge Paredes made the kick off which started today's match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jorge Amaro in the 3rd minute of play forced SC Cabenco's goalkeeper João Gonçalves to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Albertino Matias fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 6th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Amílcar Resende having to interfere. 8 minutes into the match, Espeses's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Baptista came free, but Amílcar Resende reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jorge Amaro charged in rather forcefully in the 12th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Jorge Amaro the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 12 played minutes Espeses got a freekick which was hit by Jorge Amaro. Luís Baptista struck a weak shot in the 15th minute. João Gonçalves didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Espeses. Delfim Oliveira charged in rather forcefully in the 16th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Delfim Oliveira the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 16th minute, Delfim Oliveira hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. João Gonçalves showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luís Baptista, who was totally free with the ball in the 17th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Luís Baptista in the 21st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck João Gonçalves prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Espeses's Amílcar Resende played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jorge Paredes in the 22nd minute of play. In the 28th minute, Albertino Matias left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The SC Cabenco fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. A collision led to Espeses getting a freekick after 36 minutes play. Carlos Paredes hit a great ball. João Gonçalves made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jorge Amaro in the 39th minute of play. If Albertino Matias had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 43rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Jorge Paredes came up free with the goalie in the 45th minute, the SC Cabenco fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Jorge Paredes couldn't finish the play. 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 hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Jorge Amaro to strike the kick off in the second half. Luís Baptista's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but João Gonçalves firmly grabbed it by the left post. Álvaro Barros's late challenge caught a Espeses's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Álvaro Barros helped the player get up and apologised. After 65 played minutes SC Cabenco got a freekick which was hit by Álvaro Barros. In the 76th minute the ball was on its way in behind Espeses's goalkeeper Amílcar Resende, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. João Gonçalves made an important save on a dangerous shot by Luís Baptista in the 79th minute. João Gonçalves showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jorge Amaro, who was totally free with the ball in the 82nd minute. Albertino Matias sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Jorge Paredes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Amílcar Resende tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Jorge Amaro recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 95th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Espeses's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.