Liga Portugal Betclic:
Chaves 2-3 Portimonense
Farense 2-0 Boavista
Both top division Algarve clubs finally managed to end their respective winless runs stretching back to January and gain three precious points apiece over the weekend.
Last Friday night, Farense began in domineering fashion at their own São Luís Stadium against Boavista. Belloumi and Pastor already had goals chalked off for hand ball and off-side during the build-ups before Cláudio Falcão and Bruno Duarte struck cleanly to make it 2-0 by the interval. When the visitors eventually did find their feet, stand out keeper Ricardo Velho produced three great saves in front of watching Watford scouts to make sure of victory.
In contrast, Portimonense’s match on Sunday afternoon at Chaves got off to a slow start with only Hector’s 25th-minute successful penalty conversion for the hosts following an Alemão foul on Guzzo providing a highlight.
Proceedings continued in the same vein following the break until they took a frantic turn during the final 20 minutes. First, Carlinhos equalised only for João Correia to restore the Chaves lead shortly afterwards.
An 83rd-minute Midana header then made it 2-2, Chaves’ Jo Batista had his 90th-minute ‘winner’ disallowed for off-side, and just when the draw appeared to be the final result, Igor Formiga let fly from outside the area in injury time to produce the stupendous winner.
Farense, who travel to high-flying Vitória Guimarães this Saturday afternoon (3.30pm kick-off), now have an almost safe-looking 30 points, but Portimonense, in action at home against Casa Pia on Sunday evening (6pm kick-off), are still involved in a four-way dog fight with Estrela Amadora, Estoril and Gil Vicente, all attempting to avoid finishing in the third-from-bottom relegation play-off place, as Vizela and Chaves already appear doomed with only six matches remaining.
By SKIP BANDELE
