Promotion chasing Freamunde were hoping to improve on their poor run of form as they travelled south to play an Olhanense team sadly lacking in goals but strong in defence.
Having only found the back of the net four times in the last seven home games, the Olhão-based team had moved up the table thanks to a rear guard that had conceded just two goals in their last 12 games!
The visitors took the lead after 14 minutes through Diogo Ramos with his ninth goal of the season. The home side drew level on the half-hour mark when Coubronne burst through to score his second goal in 30 outings.
Ten minutes after the break and referee Luís Godinho was to become embroiled in several contentious decisions that changed the whole complex of the game.
In an explosive 10 minutes, Galassi lit the blue touch paper when he curled in a free-kick to give the home side the lead. Minutes later and an innocuous challenge by David Bruno on Said resulted in a penalty being awarded to Olhanense and the Freamunde player receiving his marching orders.
Murilo blasted the spot-kick past keeper Marco to make it 3-1. Marco then despatched the ball towards the centre circle only to see it fly into the back of referee Luís Godinho. The Évora official produced a second red card and the visitors were down to nine men.
Five minutes later and Freamunde were back in the game as Robin Shimabuku reduced the arrears. Olhanense shut up shop and held on to the lead to severely dent Freamunde’s promotion hopes.
The defeat means that should GD Chaves win at Portimonense on Sunday morning, they will be promoted to the Primeira Liga with a game to spare.
Photo: Murilo scoring from a penalty | Author: LARRY BAWDEN
By CHRIS WRIGHT
