Portimonense returned to the top of the Ledman LigaPRO second division table with a thumping 5-1 away success over Vitória de Guimarães B last Sunday afternoon.
The visitors posed a constant threat during the opening phase but it was Helder who gave Guimarães the surprise advantage with a powerful shot from distance after 25 minutes.
Stung, Portimonense poured forward and proceeded to lay siege to the opposition goal without achieving any countable results. By the interval, both Paulinho and Amilton could have had a brace a piece, only a combination of the woodwork, side netting and some desperate defending allowing the hosts to retain their slender lead.
Following the re-start, the Algarveans’ continuing hard work soon began to pay off: Amilton hit the post three minutes into the half and guided the rebound over the goal line to bring manager Vitor Oliveira’s men level; six minutes later Pires headed his team into the lead; Paulinho turned a blocked Pires’ effort in to make it three without reply in the space of 10 minutes.
Thus buoyed, a neat interchange of passes with Amilton saw Pires increase the score line to 4-1 with his sixth strike of the current season, the 35-year-old then making way for Stanley’s Portimonense debut. The Nigerian forward only needed a few minutes on the pitch before finding the back of the net after some good work from Tabata, establishing the final result.
“We played well and were always on top,” Vítor Oliveira said after the game. “I am happy because I feel that the team is still improving.”
Back in first place on goal difference after closest rivals Santa Clara could only draw 1-1 with Cova da Piedade, it will be the latter club who will be the next visitors to the Algarve this Saturday afternoon. There then follows a mid-week trip to Fafe before a Portuguese FA Cup second round clash with União de Leiria on Sunday, September 25.
By SKIP BANDELE
Photo: Portimonense coach Vítor Oliveira
