IMORTAL FOOTBALL CLUB ALBUFEIRA

Olhanense 3  - 3 Imortal

Some details. Imortal were denied a win in the 3rd minute of time added at the end when Olhanense equalised through Ivan Francisco.

An early goal for the hosts was matched just before halftime when Diogo Luz scored, his second goal of the season for Imortal. It remained 1-1 until the 75th minute, when Leandro Pimenta put Imortal ahead. The lead lasted only five minutes, a penalty converted by Giornny Santos restoring parity. Then, just two minutes later, Ricardo (Ruca) Tome restored the lead for Imortal having come on as a sub to replace Coelho. Then the killer blow struck by Francisco denied Imortal the win that would have kept them top of the table.

Next game for Imortal will be at home to Silves on Saturday 29th November, ko 1500hrs / 3pm.

Imortal team : Inacio; Pedro Rodrigues, Jose, Luz, Dragnev; Nascimento, Coelho, Pimenta, Herlander Tome; Ramos, Mario Duarte. Subs used : Walter Alves, Sequeira, Salvador, Ricardo Tome.

Yellow cards for Dragnev, Jose and Luz. Five Olhanense players also saw yellow.

IMORTAL 3 - 1 SILVES

An eventful match. One red card for each side before half an hour had been played and most of the match therefore played with ten men a side. Referee was very picky, 34 free kicks and several yellow cards.

Two excellent goals from Mario Duarte (aka Marocas) his first since the win on 1st November, plus one from Ricardo Tome (aka Ruca) who has now scored his last three goals after coming on as a sub.

Imortal started well, Duarte brought a fine save from the Silves 'keeper Lopes, but it was the visitors who took the lead on 21 minutes. A free kick in from the left went into a crowd of players almost on the goal-line. The ball hit a leg and deflected in past Inacio. We thought own goal, but the official record credits it to Miguel Costa.

Then came a silly five minutes. Imortal's combative midfielder Nascimento had been booked after 18 minutes, then clattered an opponent and saw yellow again. He was most reluctant to leave the field (much the same as Sr. Paqueta of West Ham on Sunday!) and he might well be in more trouble. He was followed into the early bath five minutes later by Silves' Mateus Vieira, who absolutely hacked down Walter Alves for his second yellow.

Things calmed down for a while after that, with just the one more yellow for the visitors. Almost on half time when Herlander Tome, who had been quiet, sped off down the right wing to deliver a perfect low cross to the near post, which Duarte met with a flick of the foot to send it over the line.

Tome nearly scored himself just before the interval, should have in fact. Alves beat two defenders to send in a perfect cross from the left which was smashed high and wide.

Tome missed another chance early in the second half, again set up by Alves but it wasn't long before Imortal took the lead. An excellent move down the left, a great through ball by Dragnev to Coelho, whose cross was met on the volley by Duarte six metres out. No chance for Lopes, who was reduced to waving his arms in total frustration.

The game became rather scrappy from then on. Neither side could control the ball long enough to create any decent moves. Alves managed to get himself booked after chasing an opponent for quite a distance before clipping his heels.

The midfield stalemate was broken on 70 minutes with Ruca's goal. A nice ball from Coelho down the middle, a well timed run by Ruca which broke the offside trap leaving him facing the goalie. A deft sidefoot took him out of the equation, leaving Ruca to roll the ball into an empty net.

Not much happened after that. Silves had run out of ideas, Imortal were content to keep possession and give them the run around.

A satisfying win which took Imortal to the top of the table following defeat for Quarteirense that evening.

No game for Imortal next week. Next one on 13th December will be away at Louletano B, on the second pitch in the town. a grim place and one to which I cannot go. In fact there will be no home game for Imortal until 3rd January, an important one with Quarteirense being the visitors.  Imortal will be away also on 20th December, up in Messines.

Imortal team : Inacio; Prates, Pedro Rodrigues, Jose, Dragnev; Nascimento, Coelho, Pedro Duarte, Alves; Herlander Tome, Mario Duarte. Subs used : Quiteque, Santos, Ricardo Tome, Silveira.

Match stats

Free kicks conceded : Imortal 15, Silves 19
Offside Imortal : 1, Silves 1
Shots on target : Imortal 6, Silves 0
Shots off target : Imortal 2, Silves 2
Shots blocked : Imortal 1, Silves 1
Corners : Imortal 5, Silves 2
Yellow cards : Imortal 3, Silves 2

Red Cards : 1 each.