by CHRIS WRIGHT
Olhanense travelled to Santa Maria da Feira in the far north to take on Feirense without manager Sérgio Conceição on the touchline.
Following his confrontation with referee Hélder Malheiro after the 2-0 defeat by Rio Ave, Conceição was banned for ten days and fined €1,500 by the league’s disciplinary committee. Deputy Jorge Rosário took charge, with Wilson Eduardo dropped to the bench to make way for Jander in midfield.
Both keepers made early saves but it was Feirense’s Paulo Lopes who made a fine save to deny Rui Duarte on the 20 minute mark. Ten minutes later and the home side took the lead when Buval played Diogo Cunha through for his first goal of the season.
Olhanense lacked ideas and were second best during the first period but when Wilson Eduardo replaced Jander at the interval the visitors looked much more lively.
Maurício and Dady had efforts well saved by ‘Man-of-the-Match’ Paulo Lopes.
André Pinto was lucky to get away with only a booking with fifteen minutes remaining which was to prove crucial later on. In the last five minutes of normal time Rui Duarte, Salvador Agra and Mexer all went close to levelling the score. In the third minute of stoppage time a long cross caused confusion in the Feirense penalty area and when the ball fell to André Pinto he stabbed it home to rescue a point for the Algarvians.
After the game the Feirense manager Quim Machado was critical of referee Artur Soares Dias for failing to dismiss André Pinto.
Yet in the reverse fixture back in September some very strange decisions resulted in Olhanense having two players sent off in equally bizarre circumstances.
Jorge Rosário said: “It was a tasty game and a very important point against a team who have only lost twice at home. I was delighted that we got the late equaliser we deserved. Our immediate goal is to reach 30 points as soon as possible, which should guarantee our safety”.
CONQUERERS OF PORTO AND SPORTING
On Sunday Olhanense entertain Gil Vicente at the José Arcanjo Stadium, Olhão at 4pm.
Gil Vicente recently ended Porto’s unbeaten run with a fine 3-1 victory and then dumped Sporting out of the League Cup.
Back in September Olhanense drew away at Gil Vicente 1-1 with Wilson Eduardo getting the all important goal. Tickets – €10 to €25 – can be purchased on the day.
Email [email protected] or phone Emily Richardson on 939 486 870.
Click here to follow the Algarve Resident on facebook
