Portimonense recorded two more victories to extend their unbeaten run to 13 and are now pressing FC Porto B for top spot in Portugal’s second division.
Wednesday afternoon last week it fell to Ricardo Pessoa to see off the challenge from visitors Santa Clara who remained firmly entrenched in their own half for the best part of 90 minutes. The long-serving team captain finally broke the deadlock with a 66th-minute direct free kick to secure maximum points.
Four days later on Sunday afternoon, Oriental provided the opposition in Lisbon. Portimonense dominated the opening exchanges and Pires grabbed his sixth league goal of the season after home keeper Rafael Marques failed to cut out a Fabricio cross on the half-hour mark. Man-of-the-match Fabricio came close to scoring himself when hitting the bar 10 minutes later before rounding off an impressive performance with Portimonense’s second just after the interval.
Oriental began to threaten thereafter and became more than a handful after Peter had pulled a goal back in the 58th minute, but the safe hands of Portimonense keeper Ricardo Ferreira made sure that the score line remained 2-1 in the Algarveans’ favour.
This Sunday morning mid-table Famalicão are the visitors to the municipal stadium for an early 11.15am kick off while Porto B travel to fifth-placed Chaves.
Meanwhile, Portimonense have finally secured a home Portuguese Cup tie and will take on top flight Belenenses in the fourth round scheduled to be played on November 22.
By SKIP BANDELE
