Olhanense, fighting for their 2nd division status, travelled to bottom side Trofense without key players Diakhité and Pedrelli, suspended after accumulating five yellow cards. Coach Cristiano Bacci left Femi Balogun, Weldon and Galassi on the bench.
The first-half was of poor quality with both sides disorganised and failing to make any inroads as both teams appeared content to keep the ball in midfield. Early in the second period, the home side pressed forward and Rafael Silveira saw his goal bound shot strike an Olhanense defender before Serginho tested Ricardo Ribeiro in the visitors’ goal.
A minute later and António Rodrigo scored the vital goal with a well struck effort from outside the box. This was his seventh goal of the season and by far the most important. With 20 minutes remaining, it was Antonio Rodrigo who nearly doubled the lead but his shot cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety.
With five minutes remaining, Trofense were down to 10 men when André Pires picked up a second yellow card. Olhanense are now six points above the drop zone with five games to play.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Olhanense are at home to second place Chaves at the José Arcanjo Stadium, Olhão – kick-off 4pm. Both teams will be striving for victory but for different reasons. In midweek, Olhanense travel to AC Viseu before entertaining league leaders Tondela at home on the weekend of May 9-10.
By CHRIS WRIGHT
