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.

Luís Martins keeping his feet on the ground, despite inspiring Sporting CP's recent run of form

Luís Martins sat down the the Sporting Journal this week, reflecting on Sporting CP B's dominating performance against Leixões on Sunday.

"It was a really competitive game against a team that is struggling, like we were a few weeks ago. We didn't completely control everything, but the win came due to our superiority. Leixões reacted well, but once again we showed what we are capable of", said the Sporting CP B coach.

Although having led his side to what is now five straight wins, Luís Martins was careful to ask for calm: "We have shown that we can turn games around, regardless of who we are playing against. That is really important for me and I am really proud to be part of this team to help the lads grow. At the same time we are training up young players, while getting out of a tough situation. I wouldn't say that the team is closer to where we want to be, because it is already built up based on how our football department works. It is important that the lads understand that this is the last stop before going into the senior team and that they aim to turn professional."

Sporting CP B continue spectacular revival to tally fifth straight win

Sporting CP B have turned their revival into five straight wins, this time with Leixões falling victim to Luís Martins' side in a 2-1 win in Estádio do Mar.

Martins has tallied an incredible 16 out of 18 points, opening up a six point difference between Sporting CP B and the relegation zone.

Ricardo Esgaio, Ryan Gauld and André Geraldes were once again brought in as reinforcements and Sporting CP dominated from the off, but it wasn't until the 58th minute that the ball was first in the back of the net. It was Rafael Barbosa who struck, after being set up by Ricardo Esgaio. The Leixões boss Daniel Kenedy responded with the introduction of Bruno Lamas and the substitute leveled on 81 minutes.

The magic of the substitutes' bench wasn't over yet and Jovane Cabral, who Luís Martins had brought on in the 79th minute, took just five minutes to score and secure the three points.

Sporting CP B tally fourth consecutive Ledman LigaPro win

Sporting CP B have clearly found their form after a difficult spell in Ledman LigaPro. This time Freamunde were the victims, with Sporting CP B turning in a 2-0 win at the Sporting Academy.

Motivated by a win against Académico de Viseu that pulled the Alvalade youngsters out of the relegation zone for the first time in two months, Sporting CP B dominated from start to finish. The first chance on goal came after 11 minutes, when Rafael Barbosa carried possession forward and set up Leonardo Ruiz. However the striker was only able to blast over the bar. Freamunde responded, but Pedro Silva proved up to the challenge and did well to defend against Rui Rainho's chipped effort.

Leonardo Ruiz was brought crashing down for a penalty just before half-time, but Pedro Delgado shot over the bar from 12 yards to keep the game level at the break. 

Sporting CP B pushed the pace at the restart and chances soon followed. On 55 minutes Esgaio broke away down the left and threw in a cross that Radael Barbosa turned on to the cross bar. Ten minutes later Ryan Gauld picked out Bilel with a superb pass, but the final touch was off target. Insisting in attack, Sporting CP finally took the lead, when Pedro Delgado fired in after some scrappy defending following a corner. Freamunde tried to rally and the game looked to be heading for a nail-biting finish, before Esgaio dribbled the full length of the pitch and put away a cool finish five minutes before time.