CD TORREVIEJA – 4 CALLOSA DEPORTIVO CF – 4
BY STEVE HIBBERD
A slender one goal victory over rock bottom Villena way back in early December, was the last time Torry tasted the sweet success of victory. That´s a mind blowing 14 matches ago, but had a rocky defence stayed firm, then it would have been lucky 13. For having got themselves back from being behind, into a match winning position with only seconds remaining, they sadly let victory slip once again.
So, there´s now only 4 matches left from which to somehow conjure up probably 2, if not more, victories.
As this was the only Preferente league match played on Saturday, results from Sunday’s games affecting fellow relegation battlers Villena, Aspe and Benidorm, aren´t known at the time of going to press.
Although this vital point has lifted Torry to 3 points from safety, there are stronger teams than Callosa to come. Following next weekend’s visit to Alicante University, when incidentally Torry Army are sending a coach, a visit from high flying Independiente Alicante awaits. Although the last home match at the beginning of May against Villena is winnable, a visit to arch local rivals Thader Rojales rounds off the season.
Manager Jesus Martinez was forced to include recently signed keeper Raul, for Cristo was serving a 1 match ban for his sending off at Elda, as was midfielder Matias.
The first 20 minutes were played in gale force conditions, an electric storm complete with torrential rain, inside Nelson Mandela stadium which offers virtually no protection from the elements. In fact, all action before this has been recorded by memory, for had I attempted to take written notes, they would have been completely sodden (as were all spectators in the ground, which weren´t that many!).
It took only 2 mins for Torry to take the lead, a through ball by Thales which skimmed over the surface to Xavi, who kept his feet before striking a sweet angled shot past the keeper. Fast forward 7 minutes, when it was Callosa´s turn to provide the action. An assist by Victor found Salva, whose accurate shot beat Raul just inside his near post. That was it as regards goals scored before half time, but Torry new boy Raul was definitely the busier of the keepers during the 30 plus minutes that remained.
Torry fans have become immune to watching their team concede goals, so it was no surprise when on 55 mins, Salva crossed from the left for Carles to shoot home, putting the visitors ahead.
Substitute keeper Armando got a hand to the ball, but alas he could not prevent it from crossing the line. Enter the superb Torry fightback. A short corner by Thales on 62 mins was played into the path of Augustine, resulting in him executing a glorious curling drive, giving keeper Pino no chance.
A couple of minutes later, Torry took the lead. Once again the Brazilian magician, who goes by the name of Thales, was provider. His assist to Oleksandr was inviting, and from 25 yards, the Ukrainian unleashed a blockbuster finish.
Substitute Moi hadn´t been on the pitch long before he found Thales in space on 77 mins. This time Thales elected to go it alone, beating 3 men before dispatching a confident low drive, which should have placed his side out of sight. But this is Torry we are talking about, and with only 9 minutes remaining, a Salva cross took a wicked deflection off a Torry defender. The ball sailed across goal into the path of Carles at the far post, giving him the simple task of tapping the ball home.
Then on the stroke of normal time, a loose ball was seized on by Tone, whose surprise snap shot from the edge of the box, sped past Raul into the back of Torry´s net.
Fancy a trip to Alicante University sports complex next Saturday or Sunday, kick off time unknown? If so, check on CD Torrevieja website, and Torry Army facebook pages for details.
