The points gained moved both clubs up one position, Portuguese to third and the Saints, who are unbeaten in their last five games, to fifth.Craig Leitch shot St Paul’s ahead before the interval, following a fine run from Steven Reid, with Portuguese drawing level after the break when Gabriel Marques finished off a flowing move involving several team-mates.’We deserved three points last night,’ said Portuguese player-manager José-Manuel Vieira.’They had the better of the first half but we came back well.
After half time we played well as a unit but unfortunately we were unable to put our chances away.’Our movement was much better in the second half and we took the game to them but we couldn’t get a second goal.’St Paul’s joint-manager Paul Durrans said: ‘We were cruising at half time and when they equalised the confidence seemed to drain from our team.
Young Brett Pitman was bright when he came on but in truth we were lucky to hang on to a point in what I thought was a dour game overall.’St Paul’s squandered a couple of chances to have doubled the lead while, after the break Portuguese were denied any addition to their score with a couple of good saves from goalkeeper Daniel Evans while a Vieira free kick cannoned back into play off of Evans’ crossbar.Portuguese Club: Paolo Campos; Artur Calaca, A Costa, Joao Gouveia, Pedro Maia; Marco Varela, Nelson Mwakazi, José-Manuel Vieira (De Sousa, 79), Carlos Corolo; Gabriel Marques, Vitor Santos.St Paul’s: Daniel Evans; James Fortune, Lee Bradshaw, Shaun Irving; Glen Durrans, James Hibbs, Jamie Drummond (David Watson, 65), Stephen Reid, Lucas Parker; Steve Cumming (Brett Pitman, 76), Craig Leitch (John Carter, 81).Cautioned: Watson.Officials: Russell Barry, Andy Norman, Steve Proffitt.Grouville cruised into the last eight of the JFA’s Willis Cup last night after beating weakened Jersey Nomads 8-0 at Les Quennevais.
Grouville goalkeeper Alex Buesnel has not conceded a goal in the six matches – a total of 540 minutes – he has played this season.
Richard Russell hit a hat-trick, there were two goals apiece from Martyn White and Peter Hall, who also had four assists, and a penalty by Luc Le Mière.
Grouville now play St Brelade first-team or Scottish Reserves on 18 November.
