Portimonense enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 home success over Beira-Mar in the first of two league matches played out within the space of six days.
A sparse midweek crowd at the municipal stadium was treated to a good all-round performance as a Ricardo Pessoa penalty and a Semedo header either side of the interval wrapped up three important points.
Monday afternoon’s subsequent away trip to Lisbon proved less straightforward. Sporting B dominated from the outset and opened the scoring through Esgaio as early as the 12th minute.
Pessoa pulled the Algarveans level from the spot shortly before the half-hour mark and Mica gave manager Lázaro Oliveira’s men real hope of victory when putting his team ahead in the 42nd minute. However, two quick strikes from Sporting’s Chaby and Medeiros just before and after half-time restored the host’s advantage and establish the 3-2 final score line.
Ahead of this Sunday’s home game against lowly Trofense, Portimonense find themselves in fifth, four points behind Penafiel and Moreirense, with the Porto and Benfica B teams occupying the other two places, separating them from the top.
Fortunately, the Algarveans previously often threadbare squad has been significantly strengthened during the January transfer window with the arrival of experienced midfielder Diogo Melo (pictured), fellow Brazilian trio Lucas Possignolo, Mazola and Fernandinho, as well as Ghanaian ex-junior Wakaso who spent last season with Rio Ave, offering the possibility of strong promotion push during the remaining part of the season.
