Portimonense maintained their perfect start to the new season with an exciting 3-2 victory over visiting Penafiel last Sunday afternoon.
Manager Vitor Oliveira’s men dominated the early exchanges with Ricardo Pessoa and Amilton giving the opposition plenty to think about.
Referee Jorge Ferreira’s failure to award the hosts a clear penalty during this phase was quickly forgotten when Pires latched onto an Amilton through ball to put Portimonense ahead after 26 minutes.
The lead was short-lived, however, as a needless Sarpong trip in the area gave Penafiel the opportunity to equalise on the half-hour mark. Pedro Ribeiro’s subsequent spot kick was pushed out against the post by Ricardo Ferreira, only for the unfortunate keeper to see the ball rebound off his back and across the goal line.
Only three minutes later the hosts regained the lead after Ivo Nicolau powerfully headed home a Paulinho free kick to establish 2-1 half time advantage.
The frantic pace of the match continued with ex-Portimonense player João Paulo catching his former team mates napping to make it 2-2 on the afternoon only two minutes into the second playing period.
It took a while for the Algarveans to regain the upper hand but with half-an-hour remaining Amilton rose majestically to bury a Pessoa corner and open his account for his new club. The winning margin could easily have been more comfortable as the clock ticked down but first Buba was denied by the woodwork before a weakly taken Pessoa penalty was easily saved by Pedro Silva in the opposition’s goal at the death.
The second win from as many games sees Portimonense head up the Ledman LigaPRO second division table on goal difference from Santa Clara, with another home game beckoning against União da Madeira this Saturday afternoon.
Off the pitch, 18-year-old Nigerian winger Chidera Ezeh has joined Portimonense on loan from Porto while Lumor and Stanley have finally returned to the Algarve from Africa. Lastly, now 19-year-old former Portimonense junior Delgado has signed for Benfica following a two-year stint with Inter Milan.
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Photo: Brazilian player Amilton joined Portimonense recently
