CD TORREVIEJA – 1 PINOSO CF – 2 By STEVE HIBBERD
Oh dear, oh dear, 2 steps forward and 1 step back, I fear!! After 2 spirited displays, Torry have slipped back to bad old ways, that of not taking chances and gifting opposition silly goals. When will they learn – if ever! Having said that, it doesn’t help that they have yet to field the same team in consecutive weeks since the beginning of the season (for whatever reason).
Take this latest debacle for example. Out went Borja and Tenza from last weeks victory at Benferri, replaced by youth product Mani and new signing Silver. Silvestre Lopete Wiliamsola (aka Silver) hails from Guinea Ecuatorial, is a striker, his previous club was Alcasser of preferente division group 2, and was signed during the week.
It appears that the potential new owners have been to different places in Africa recently, talent spotting, and could be taking over the club as early as next Thursday, when a meeting with club directors has been scheduled.
In my (and many other Torry fans) opinion, their number one priority should be determining when (if ever) the Vicente Garcia grandstand is to be reopened. For the sight of a few hundred fans getting soaked in the second half, was not the best PR advertisement.
Thank god that my memory is still reasonably good, for it was virtually impossible writing notes whilst holding an umbrella, as my clothes and equipment became wetter and wetter – surely the press should be afforded some sort of protection from the elements?
Jose Maria should have put the visitors ahead after only 2 mins, but he badly mishit his shot from close range, allowing Torry keeper Vidal to make a routine save.
Torry got their act together, making a number of raids on Pinoso’s goal, but alas they all came to nothing. Against the run of play on 8 mins, a delightful through ball split a half asleep Torry defence, allowing Victor the simple task of sliding the ball home from 10 yards. Back came Torry, equalizing some 7 minutes later through a wonder goal.
New boy Silver crossed from the right to the far post, where Samu was lurking with intent. His overhead kick looped over keeper Omar, slotting just inside the far post, making it 2 in 2 starts for this very impressive front man.
On 25 mins, a long range effort by Perea was tipped around the post by Vidal, then 10 mins later up the other end, Samu forced a similar reaction save from Omar.
Juampe was almost left with egg on his face on 38 mins, his sloppy pass was intercepted by Perea, whose first time effort eased just wide of the far post. With seconds remaining of the first half, Ramon seized on a loose ball whilst Torry defenders watched on, allowing him space to drill home what turned out to be the winning goal.
Pedreno’s half time talk must have been good, for only 2 minutes into the new half, following a goalmouth scramble, Silver shot wide of the post, although he really should have buried it. Beltran (somebody tell him that a no 9 is meant to score goals!) hit a decent long range effort which was well saved, before Walid was brought down in the area for a penalty.
The last (and only other) time Torry have had a pen this season was at Hercules, and that was missed by Beltran (who else?), so it was a relief that he was not given the responsibility this time. Samu or Silver would have been obvious choices, but no, it was midfielder Pablo Coria who slammed the spot kick against the post, before being scrambled away to safety.
Apart from a halfhearted appeal for handball inside the box, Torry never really looked like getting that elusive equalizer.
As it transpired, they needed to thank their lucky stars that they didn’t concede another, for late in the game, Sergio missed an absolute sitter when put through with just Vidal to beat.
Next weekend, Torry visit Callosa who are just above them in the league.
