CD TORREVIEJA – 0 CD THADER – 2 … By Steve Hibberd
This meaningless end of season local derby, surprisingly threw up a really entertaining 90+ minutes of football. Both keepers were man/men of the match, as they kept their sides in the match on countless occasions. End to end exciting football was in evidence for all to see, but unfortunately there weren’t that many scattered around an almost empty Nelson Mandela Stadium.
Why oh why, did the powers that be choose to play the one and only Saturday home fixture of the 2017/2018 season on FA cup final day? It’s not rocket science to comprehend that a large majority Brit fan base, enjoy watching this special occasion on the box, and it doesn’t take Einstein to realise that as a consequence the gate would drop to below a hundred.
Without wishing to appear too cynical, the team appear to have been going through the motions throughout 2018. This became apparent when safe in the knowledge that Calpe had been expelled, there really wasn’t any real danger of a consecutive relegation. Having said that, the squad that manager Pedreno has been left with, have given maximum effort throughout every match, but unfortunately that has not been enough (if you know what I mean!).
So, a finish of 5th to bottom (a double over Benferri, leaves them one off the drop zone on equal points) is mission accomplished, but it cannot paper over the fact that not having won since the end of Feb (ironically, away at Benferri), and 9 defeats on the trot, is totally unacceptable. Will Pedreno still be in charge next season, will football ever return to Vicente Garcia Stadium, will the old Torry spirit ever return, will I be welcomed back as resident Torry reporter? All these questions and more, will hopefully be answered after a much needed summer break.
Like I say, the match (especially the 1st half) was good to watch, with many well worked moves and a high number of shots on target ratio. Greuchi was unlucky on 15 mins, for when fed by Silver, and with just the keeper to beat, he was adjudged offside. Three mins later, it was Torry again who could have scored, this time Maicol forcing a top drawer save from Thader keeper Jovi.
Back came Thader soon after, when from an inch perfect cross to the far post, Calderon slammed the ball against the post from close range. On 29 mins, the same man executed a powerful drive from the edge of the box, only this time it missed the post completely. Torry captain Silver, embarked on an impressive solo run on 32 mins, which eventually brought off another fine save from Jovi. Considering this was a local derby, it was being played in a surprisingly good spirit, emphasised by the fact that there were only 2 yellow cards shown throughout the whole match. The 25 or so Thader fans, were up on their feet on 35 mins.
A cross from the left by ex Torry man Dani Lucas, reached Antonio who struck a stunning half volley from the edge of the box into the net. Although Samuel forced Jovi to make a vital save, it was Thader who finished the half stronger. With time ticking away, Pablo Reyes almost put through his own net, but from the resultant corner, Antonio crossed from the baseline for Quino to head home, doubling his sides lead.
Both teams took their time to settle into the new half, but on 58 mins, it required a smart save from Torry keeper Crystobal to deny a Ruben effort.
From the next attack, Villa headed just wide, as Thader looked to extend their advantage. A well worked move on 70 mins saw German cross from the right, only for Silver to fluff his lines at the far post, when a slight touch was all that was needed.
Pedreno elected to bring on his only sub on 72 mins, and it was goalkeeper turned front man Eneko, who provided an assist to Santi, whose shot was pushed aside for a corner. Towards the end, first Torry’s Maicol, then Thader’s LLoyd, forced their opposing keepers to once again earn their keep.
TORRY LINEUP: Crystobal, German, Lewis, Pablo Reyes, Ulyses, Samuel, Manu Aguirre (Eneko), Greuchi, Santi, Silver, Maicol
