Portimonense’s impressive away form this season continued with a resounding 5-0 thrashing of third division Pampilhosa in the third round of the Portuguese Cup.
Any worries that the Serie E leaders could represent a banana skin for the Algarveans were soon removed as both Pires and Dener found the back of the net within the opening 10 minutes.
Pampilhosa keeper Eduardo excelled himself thereafter to hold that score line until the interval, but manager José Augusto’s men, featuring half a dozen reserve players, renewed their appetite for goals and Fabricio, Marcel and Lucas Possignolo scored in quick succession to put the final result beyond doubt.
“We prepared well for this game”, Augusto said after the match, “and the team got the message”.
Portimonense now go into the hat for the fourth round draw which still includes most of the big clubs other than top division giant-killing ‘victims’ Vitoria Guimarães, Moreirense and Tondela.
Before then Portimonense will have returned to league action against Santa Clara on Wednesday afternoon (played after the Resident went to press) prior to Sunday’s visit to Lisbon side Oriental.
SKIP BANDELE
