2 October 2006, by Tom Kundert

Late strikes give Maritimo dramatic win

Maritimo 2-1 Estrela da Amadora

Maritimo scored two late goals to turn around the match against Estrela da Amadora and earn the three points at the Barreiros stadium yesterday.

With the home crowd growing increasingly critical of their team, Maritimo appeased their supporters in dramatic fashion as two goals from two set pieces in the final seven minutes snatched victory and condemned Estrela to another defeat.

Yet the islanders began strongly and early pressure resulted in a series of chances for Ulisses Morais’ team.

Uruguayan forward Lipatin was especially active, and saw two efforts beat Paulo Lopes only to bounce back into play off the post in the space of five minutes.

Maritimo were completely dominating at this stage and good work from Marcinho earned a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the area. Lipatin stepped up but hit his shot against the wall.

The home team continued to dictate matters until the break but failed to obtain any reward for their efforts.

The second half was a different story, with Dario and Tiago Gomes twice combining to good effect, forcing Maritimo keeper Marcos into two saves. But in the 55th minute the unlucky Lipatin was denied for a third time by the woodwork, as his tremendous shot ricocheted off the bar.

On the hour mark Estrela took the lead through the experienced Dario, who pounced on a mistake by Briguel to calmly strike the ball into the net for his team’s first goal of the season.

Ulisses Morais immediately threw on forwards Kanu and Mbesuma, but had to wait until the final minutes of the match to see his team finally hit the goals they had been threatening all afternoon.

Mbesuma and Lipatin both scored textbook headers within three minutes of each other to give the home team a deserved win.

Even at this early stage of the season Estrela look in grave danger of losing their top-flight status. The team from the outskirts of Lisbon have just one point and one goal from five matches so far, and now face Sporting and Benfica in their next two matches.

Maritimo:
Marcos, Briguel, Gregory, Milton do O (Kanu, 55), Evaldo (Filipe Oliveira, 64), Fernando, Neca, Andre Barreto, Moukouri (Mbesuma, 70), Marcinho, Lipatin
Yellow Cards: Milton do O (35), Lipatin (85), Marcos (88), Fernando (89), Filipe Oliveira (90), Neca (90)

E. Amadora:
Paulo Lopes, Tony, Jose Fonte, Wescley, Edu Silva, Amoreirinha, Tiago Gomes, Marco Paulo, Jaime (Cleiton, 61), Dario, Jones (Anselmo, 73), (Zamorano, 77)
Yellow Cards: Jaime (10), Wescley (12), Paulo Lopes (63), Dario (78), Tony (84)

Goals:
[0-1] Dario, 60
[1-1] Mbesuma, 83
[2-1] Lipatin, 85