Gabriel Silva penalty sees Santa Clara beat Estoril | OneFootball

Santa Clara earned their first win of the season with a second-half penalty by Gabriel Silva enough to earn the Azoreans all three points at Estoril.

An entertaining first half had everything but goals. Joel Robles saved the hosts on multiple occasions as the islanders made a strong start, but Estoril came back strongly, with João Carvalho unlucky to see his shot come back off the post.

The quality of the game decreased in the second half and a clumsy challenge by Patrick de Paula on Matheus Pereira proved costly, the referee pointing to the spot and Gabriel Silva making no mistake, to leave Estoril with just two points from their first four matches of the season.

Sahir Bhojwani and Tom Kundert report for the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota.

Attack versus defence

Ian Cathro has instilled an attacking philosophy at Estoril which relies on an open and direct style of play. They have been able to score, but also have a tendency to leak goals. Over their first three games this season, Estoril have already recorded five goals, but conceded six.

Santa Clara, meanwhile, seems to have the opposite problem. Going into Saturday’s encounter, the Azores club had failed to record a single goal over their first three matches, and secured just one point. They have been defensively solid, but have struggled to put the ball in the back of the net.

Therefore, it was surprising when it was the visitors that came out firing, peppering Estoril’s goal with shot after shot. Joel Robles involved early on, pulling off a save in the 2nd minute when Brennan fired in a shot from the right side. Four minutes later, the Estoril keeper was forced into another great save when Silva received the ball just outside the six-yard box.

Estoril responded right away. André Lacximicant curled in a shot on the other end of the pitch that sailed just wide.

All Santa Clara

However, it was Santa Clara that looked the more dangerous. Silva continued to knock on the door, bringing out another top save in the 9th minute. As we reached the 15-minute mark, it was all Santa Clara. They held the majority of the possession and Estoril struggled to maintain control of the ball outside of their half.

In the 19th minute, it was Matheus Pereira’s turn to get involved. A low cross from Brenner Lucas was met by a sliding Perriera at the back post. The winger made good contact but his shot flew into the side netting, sparing the home side once again.

In the 24th minute, Estoril finally began to fight back. Some smart work from Ricard Sánchez on the left wing allowed Carvalho to gather the ball with some space, but his shot rocketed back off the post. It was Estoril’s best chance of the match, and one that Carvalho will be kicking himself for not putting on target. A few moments later, it was Patrick de Paula who recorded his first shot on target, a low shot that was well saved.

There were plenty of chances, but neither side could find the breakthrough in an entertaining first half.

Santa Clara finally off the mark

The second half began with a game changing moment from Patrick de Paula. A clumsy challenge from the Brazilian in the 50th minute handed the visitor the early initiative. The referee felt there was enough contact to award a penalty and Silva stepped up to power the spot kick into the roof of the net.

De Paula can consider himself lucky not to have received a second yellow card. Cathro made the smart decision to take the Brazilian midfielder off the pitch minutes later.

The game picked up after the first goal. Santa Clara Paulo Victor and Estoril captain João Carvalho were both booked within a few minutes. Some hard tackles followed in what was turning into a heated midfield battle.

Cathro turns to the bench

With time winding down, Cathro made a series of changes aimed at reviving his team, bringing on Guitane and Yanis Begraoui, two players that have combined for three goals this season.

In the 80th minute, Estoril worked their best chance of the half from a corner. Unfortunately, centre back Felix Bacher’s header flew wide from close distance.

Holsgrove gambled with a long range attempt a few minutes later, but that sailed over the goal without troubling the keeper.

Overall, it would end up being a frustrating night for the home supporters that made the trip. Cathro’s side have produced some brilliant attacking football over the last 12 months, but this was just one of those nights when nothing clicked for the Canaries.

After four matches, Estoril have recorded just two points, and there upcoming matches against AVS and Gil Vicente will be critical as they look to get back on track.

Estoril Praia: Joel Robles, Ferro (Or Israelov, 72’), Felix Bacher, Pedro Amaral, Pedro Carvalho, Patrick de Paula (Rafik Guitane, 54’), Jordan Holsgrove, Ricard Sánchez (Alejandro Marqués, 72’), Pizzi (Tiago Brito, 64’), André Lacximicant (Yanis Begrauoi, 64’), João Carvalho

Santa Clara: Gabriel Batista, Sidney Lima, Frederico Venâncio, MT, Lucas Soares, Adriano Firmino, Serginho (Pedro Ferreira, 71’), Paulo Victor (Vinícius Lopes, 71’), Brenner Lucas (Anthony Carter, 71’), Gabriel Silva (José Tavares, 82’), Matheus Pereira