Following Portimonense’s long unbeaten run, the Algarveans have returned to the bad old days when a win was hard to find.
The last midweek trip to Lisbon produced an ultimately doomed fighting performance against Benfica B during which manager José Augusto’s team took an early lead through Ewerton only to fall behind to strikes from Sancidino and Nuno Santos before half-an-hour had been played.
Marcel then restored parity as the second half kicked off and the match appeared to be heading for a draw until Sancidino found the back of the net again with 88 minutes on the clock to break the deadlock.
Sunday’s home encounter with Leixões proved to be a much tamer affair despite Pires’ first minute acrobatic lightning strike. The visitors came back strongly from the early setback and Ricardo Barros’ equaliser just before the break did not come as a surprise.
Portimonense regained control of proceedings during the second half but failed to create any real goal opportunities faced with opposition now determined to defend their away point.
The two most recent disappointing results coupled with the home defeat against Famalicão the previous weekend has caused Portimonense to slip down into sixth place, level on points with promotion rivals Chaves and Feirense.
A change in fortunes will be needed on Sunday when Freamunde, only two points in arrears, host the Algarveans.
SKIP BANDELE
Photo: Portimonense coach José Augusto
