Despite missing a second-half penalty, Olhanense started life in the 2nd Division with a decisive 2-0 victory over Leixões in front of the TV cameras.
Duarte Machado and Rodrigo Antonio returned from suspension and centre-half Ubay Luzardo, signed during the week from Portimonense, made his debut.
After a shaky start, the home side settled down and looked in confident mood. With just eleven minutes on the clock, Rodrigo Antonio scored a well worked goal.
Out on the left, skipper Paulo Regula slipped the ball through to Rodrigo Antonio who drifted away from goal before deftly steering his shot into the far corner of the net.
Ten minutes later and Gonzalez Prado should have doubled the lead but blazed his shot over the bar.
Shortly after the break, ‘Man-of-the-Match’ Paulo Regula had two efforts well saved by Chastre whilst Femi Balogun missed a golden opportunity. At the other end, Tiago Maia saved brilliantly from substitute Pedras.
After Celestino’s missed penalty, Olhanense were reduced to ten men when Vitor Bastos picked up a second yellow card. Twenty minutes to play and the fans were getting nervous. But with six minutes remaining Paulo Regula collected a knock-down on the edge of the penalty area and fired home off the inside of the post.
A good start with three points in the account before travelling north to Feirense for Sunday’s televised game live on Sport TV at 11.15am.
By Chris Wright
Photo: Larry Bawden
