Following their 6-0 win over Lusitano VRSA – goals from Leleco, Sapara, Patrick Igwe, Edu Pinheiro, Hassan and João Nuno – SC Olhanense crossed the Guadiana into Spain to complete their pre-season preparations against AD Cartaya for the ‘Trofeo Villa de Cartaya’ at the well-appointed Estadio Nuevo Luis Rodriguez Salvador.
The home side showed much pace and effort early on and deserved their opening goal when Lolo’s shot was deflected past Olhanense keeper Rodrigo Moura in the 20th minute. Ten minutes later, Rodrigo Moura pulled off a great save to deny Cartaya a second goal.
The visitors centre-back Joshua Silva limped off after half-an-hour with a groin strain to be replaced by Rafael Tavares. Towards the end of the first period, Olhanense started to create opportunities and quick-fire goals from Hassan and Lelo gave them a 2-1 interval lead.
The visitors dominated the second-half with Rodrigo Moura and midfield general Tiago Jogo in fine form.
As the clock ticked down, Cartaya mounted one last attack deep into stoppage time and Pepe Martin slotted home the equaliser with what proved to be the last kick of the game.
In the ensuing penalty shoot-out, it was Olhanense who took the honours 7-6 to claim the ‘Trofeo Villa de Cartaya’.
On Sunday, SC Olhanense start their Campeonato de Portugal league programme with a home game against Os Armacenenses behind closed doors at the José Arcanjo Stadium in Olhão.
The one match ban relates to crowd trouble back in April when the game against Casa Pia was abandoned.
Portugal Cup
Olhanense have been drawn at home in the first round of the Taça de Portugal on September 8 when they will meet Os Armacenenses; the third time the two teams will have met in the space of a month. Other local ties include: Louletano DC v. FC Ferreiras, Juventude SC v. Lusitano GC Moncarapachense and CF Esperança de Lagos v. Lusitano GC Futebol SAD.
By CHRIS WRIGHT
