UD Horadada 5 CD Torrevieja 0 – By Steve Hibberd
Torry embarked on their first match of 2019 against Horadada without a permanent manager. Last week, joint managers Kiko Lopèz and Paco Guillen left the club, leaving youth manager Moncho to temporarily take over both sides. Were Kiko and Paco sacked, or as stated on the club website, did they leave for personal reasons? The club are keeping quiet.
Also leaving the club last week was Keeper Juanpe, who has joined Murcian 3rd div side Los Garres on loan until the end of the season.
On Sunday afternoon the local derby against Horadada, renewed acquaintances with ex Torry manager Pedreño, who had two spells at the club and with both sides desperate for the points. Horadada were sitting on the fringe of the relegation places while Torrevieja was just 1 point and 1 place better off (although looking at the league table on the official club website, Torry STILL refuse to acknowledge the 6 points deducted by the Valencia FA!).
In the game itself Horadada were forced into an early change after a serious injury to Gabri saw the player transported into the back of an ambulance on a stretcher. The game continued but there seemed little enthusiasm until Julian’s languid attempt was easily saved by Ros.
Samu was the first Torry player to go close with a header over the crossbar on the 15 minute mark. This was followed by a similar effort just moments later when Roberto fired over from close range but there was controversy just around the corner.
Following the award of a free kick to the home side, and the placement of the ball by the referee, while Torry were organising their wall, David kicked the ball 5 yards forward where it was stopped and placed again by Julian. Prior to any sort of a signal the striker then played the ball around the wall to Mauro who walked it into the net with Torry still anticipating that thee referee would move the ball back to the correct place. Instead Snr Lopez inexplicably awarded the goal, the signal for a mass protest from Torrevieja.
The situation was only calmed following 3 yellow and one red cards to Torry players, the unlucky dismissal falling to Micro, a price that the team had to pay for their aggressive protestations.
Down to ten men, and a goal behind, the situation looked desperate for the visitors and as the home side began to press their advantage Torry were under pressure for the remainder of the opening half.
It was as though the visitors had the stuffing knocked out of them as the decision, and the injustice of it all, seemed to linger well into the second period as the home side completely dominated play.
Mauro, Esha and Samu were shooting at will and there seemed little that Torry could do to keep them out. Surprisingly, however, it took until the hour mark for Horadada to add to the scoreline and it was Mauro again, who beat the offside trap to slide the ball under the advancing Sergio.
Moments later Mauro was pulled back by the Torry skipper who was duly dismissed after which Mono increased the lead from the spot.
Further goals from Samu and Roberto took the scoreline to 5-0 in a game that both sides will long remember, but for very different reasons. Neither was it a game that new coach Moncho will want to remember, although he will be pleased that his players continued to battle despite suffering their heaviest defeat of the season. And all credit to Horadada who took full advantage of Torry’s unfortunate predicament.
Next Sunday Torry entertain Villajoyosa in a 5pm ko but keep an eye on the club website for any changes.
