Sporting CP B miss out after Dala strikes twice and Barbosa sees straight red

Sporting CP B slipped to a battling defeat in the Dr. Jorge Sampaio Municipal Stadium this weekend against FC Porto B (3-2). Gelson Dala struck twice for the team from Alvalade, on an afternoon which saw Rafael Barbosa sent off.

The match got off to a tough start for Luís Martins' team, when FC Porto B took the lead after one minute when Galeno opened up play for Kayembe to finish. With an early goal the hosts continued in the early stages, before Sporting CP B found their footing after ten minutes on the ropes. Gauld, Gelson Dala and Rafael Barbosa all tried their luck, but the first real opportunity came though Matheus Pereira, denied by Raul Gudiño in the FC Porto B goal. With Sporting CP B in control, Gelson Dala netted the equaliser on 24 minutes, with a superb bit of dribbling around the keeper and a simple finish.

The deadlock didn't last, as FC Porto B struck just three minutes later when Rui Moreira unleashed a brilliant shot past Pedro Silva. Both sides continued to push the pace in a tantalising game to watch and the drama was taken up another notch when Sporting CP levelled four minutes after the half-hour mark with Dala's second of the afternoon.

Both teams came out swinging in the second-half and piled forward, before a straight red card for Rafael Barbosa in the 67th minute gave FC Porto B the edge. The hosts secured the result though André Pereira, after another darting run by Galeno down the flank.

Luís Martins' fantastic run finally brought to a close by Penafiel

Luís Martins' Sporting CP B tasted defeat for the first time this Wednesday, in a visit to Penafiel that saw three goals in the first-half and two shots against the post.

It was a fantastic series of 10 matches unbeaten for Martins' charges, who actually led after just 7 minutes when Gelson Dala set up Leonardo Ruiz. The hosts responded well and levelled through Djibril Zidnaba 16 minutes later, before Gonçalo Abreu put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot just before the break.

The pace slowed for the first half an hour after the break, before Sporting CP B pushed on in the last 15 minutes. On three occasions Martins' side came close to equalising, two of which were denied by the woodwork.

Luís Martins highlights his side's maturity against União da Madeira

The Sporting CP B coach Luís Martins praised his side's maturity at the final whistle this weekend, after masterminding a ninth successive unbeaten outing.

"We set out with a specific idea that we had been working on and we won. It was our hardest match so far I think. Our opponent had done their homework and you could see that. We have our weaknesses, but we were competent out their today and showed a real maturity", said Martins, continuing with a word on the importance of securing points against the Ledman LigaPro big-hitters: "We had already beaten the team in second and now we beat União da Madeira. These matches are really important to help the lads grow. We were disciplines, coherent and deserve a pat on the back."

Rafael Barbosa was also on hand to share his thoughts at the final whistle, commenting on his goal: "It was an important goal because it helped get the points. We drew in the Azores (Santa Clara), which wasn't a fair result, so it was important for us to get a decent win today."

Yet another win for Luís Martins' charges continues Ledman LigaPro recovery

Another Ledman LigaPro fixture and another win for Luís Martins' team, this time with União da Madeira the victims in a 2-0 win for the hosts. It was a curious afternoon of football, with Sporting CP B happy to give up the midfield and instead hit on the break through Rafael Barbosa and Matheus Pereira.

Both sides started out in a traditional 4x4x2, but União da Madeira did set Cedric to one side in a dedicated role pestering Gauld and Francisco Geraldes in midfield.

On three minutes Pedro Silva was called into action in the Sporting CP B goal, but he comfortably dealt with what ultimately was a weak header. A couple of seconds later Matheus Pereira broke away for the first time, but Rafael Barbosa was unable to make the most of the final execution.

On 25 minutes Rafael Barbosa did hit the back of the net, after Escobar and Ivanildo stamped out a move forward from U. Madeira and picked out André Geraldes for a move forward that was finished off by Barbosa.

From then on União da Madeira showed why they are pushing for one of the Ledman LigaPro top spots with a well drilled dominance of the midfield. However two chances followed for Sporting CP B, first with Ruiz dribbling past the defence and blasting over the bar, before Dala drove a shot at Nilson's body.

Pedro Silva had a much busier second-half, created mostly through Breitner's skillful touches that kept Geraldes and Gauld bogged down in the midfield. Although surrendering the middle of the park, Sporting CP B were deadly on the quick break and Matheus secured the final score after a pass from Dala in a move initially started by Francisco Geraldes.

Sporting CP B coach reflects on Sunday's draw in the Azores

"It was a very competitive match. Santa Clara are really strong and coming in after two loses gave them a bit of extra motivation", said the Sporting CP B coach Luís Martins at the final whistle on Sunday, after his side claimed a 1-1 draw in the Azores.

Reflecting on the performance, Martins added: "We let a goal in really early, but Sporting CP B likes to take control and that is what we did. We moved the ball around well, although we didn't create a lot of opportunities in the first-half.  We improved after the break, which curiously was when we were playing against the wind. We created three or four chances before Ivanildo scored [83'] and Leonardo Ruiz could have won it for us at the end."

Luís Martins side continue undefeated in Ledman LigaPro

Luís Martins took the reins of Sporting CP B on the 19th of February and since then his side hasn't lost a single encounter. Ledman LigaPro matchday 35 was the same again, this time with Sporting CP B claiming a 1-1 draw in the Azores against Santa Clara.

The team from Alvalade actually fell behind in the 6th minute, when Dennis Pineda opened the scoring. Curiously Sporting CP B's equaliser came six minutes from the final whistle, courtesy Ivanildo Fernandes.

Luís Martins praises his players maturity in Sunday's dismantling of Olhanense

"We were lucky to have so many chances really early on. Sporting CP B were the better side. The lads showed respect for their opponent, which just goes to show that they aren't as young as some people say they are", said Luís Martins at the final whistle on Sunday.

Analysing his side's recent run of form, the Sporting CP B coach added: "It is a sixth straight win, but it is only worth three points. We know what our vulnerabilities are and most important right now is to make sure we stay in this division. However, this team has the quality to break into the top 10."

Gelson Dala happy with his return to action and four goals against Olhanense

Back from a two-week spell on the sidelines through injury, Gelson Dala ran riot this Sunday against Olhanense, netting four goals in a 5-1 win.

Dala bags four as Sporting CP B secure sixth consecutive win

"There is nothing better than coming back from injury and scoring four goals", was how Gelson Dala summarised his performance against Olhanense at the final whistle this Sunday, as Sporting CP B netted five to tally a sixth successive win.

Luís Martins looking to extend unbeaten Ledman LigaPro run

Looking ahead to do Ledman LigaPro matchday 34, which will see Sporting CP B host Olhanense, coach Luís Martins warned his players to alert, despite their recent rich run of form.

"There are no easy matches and this is a really specific context. We are coming out of a tough situation and we want to keep this positive run going. We know it will be difficult and we can relate with Olhanense in relation to the fight against relegation. Of course we want the points, especially playing at home. We want to show that the international break has helped us a bit. We haven't won anything yet, but the lads are focused on getting the three points", said Luís Martins.