While Portimonense’s last home match against União Madeira resulted in a goalless bore-draw continuing the string of poor performances in front of their own fans, Sunday’s subsequent trip to Tondela secured three precious points for the Algarveans by the narrowest of margins.
An opening half best described as a stale mate was followed by plenty of incidents during which referee Bruno Esteves played no small part. With half an hour left on the clock, Ruben headed home a Nelsinho free kick – thereafter the man in black ignored justified claims for a penalty from the home side when Piojo was poleaxed in the area, and compounded his mistake by awarding a free kick in Portimão’s favour when Tondela forward Luis Aurelio appeared to be the victim of a foul.
As the final whistle was blown it was the visitors who escaped with a fortuitous 1-0 victory which may boost morale for this Sunday’s confrontation with Aves back on home soil.
In the same vein, one division lower, Quarteira keeper Joel thwarted Faro’s efforts to record their first home win of the season last weekend, the club from the Algarve’s capital then improving on that 1-1 draw with a great 2-1 success at Carregado to stay one point behind leaders Sertanense. Fellow third division side Loulé are still looking for their first win of the season following draws with Ribeira Brava and Uniao Leiria and remain in penultimate place.
In the country’s fourth tier, Lagos drew their midweek away match before thrashing Sesimbra 7-1 to head the division from Montemor on goal difference. Skip Bandele
