Portimonense’s impressive pre-season and Cup form continued as manager José Augusto’s new-look team celebrated victory at Porto B following their opening match of the 2015/16 campaign.
The hosts were largely restricted to rearguard actions during a goalless first half, which saw the Algarveans dominate most aspects of the encounter. That pressure finally paid of on the hour mark when Fabrício successfully converted a direct free kick to give Portimonense a more than deserved lead.
An eventful closing five minutes then saw André Silva pull Porto level from the penalty spot before having his team reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of Mikel. As injury time ticked away, André Carvalhas, who has already experienced promotion with both Moreirense and Tondela during the past two seasons, provided the final act by making use of every one of his diminutive 165 centimetres to head home the winner.
Portimonense is one of seven clubs on maximum points at this very early stage but will hope to continue their winning ways at home this Saturday evening when AC Viseu, 1-0 victors over Farense last weekend, are the visitors.
By that time the club should have unveiled its latest signing, 19-year-old Katsina Spotlights left winger Mustapha Abdullahi, who represented Nigeria at this year’s U-20 World Cup. Skip Bandele
