CD THADER – 2 REDOVAN CF – 1
BY STEVE HIBBERD
Thader manager Adrien Pastor must have read his team the riot act, following the previous weeks horror show at Preferente division basement team Benferri, for they gave their all in this humdinger of a local derby.
Not only does this victory complete a double over near rivals Redovan, but it secures an 11th place slot on 40 points. Missing regulars Quino, Rafa, Dani Lucas & Calderon, the team sheet revealed a bench of 3 youth team players, but more of that later.
With only 3 matches remaining in a topsy turvy season, a mid-table finish is on the cards, from what can only be described as a Jekyll and Hyde side.
To say they did it the hard way, is an understatement. With barely 30 seconds on the clock, Thader keeper Chema parried a goal bound shot into the path of Redovan striker Toni, who made light work in stroking the ball into the back of the net. Lloyd’s 20 yard free kick rattled the post on 8 mins, as the hosts were determined to restore parity asap.
An exquisite cross from the left by attacking full back Rosquin, found Fran in space at the far post, but alas his headed effort flew the wrong side of the woodwork on 15 mins. Following a period of midfield mediocrity, the game sprung to life on 37 mins, as Chema pulled off 2 brave close range saves in quick succession, denying Redovan going further ahead.
Another Rosquin foray down the wing was unfairly halted, leading to the resulting free kick being clinically headed home by an ecstatic Fran on 41 min.
All square at half time, it really was anyone’s game, played out in oppressive heat conditions. In the 56th min, Redovan’s Javi watched his shot narrowly miss the target, then straight up the other end, Rosquin’s daisy cutter agonisingly evaded the target. Rosquin was again instrumental in further build-up play, when on 64 mins, his assist to Berni culminated in Thader’s midfielder shot rattling the upright.
Redovan should have taken the lead on 68 mins, but Javi somehow spooned a routine finish over an open goal. This was a signal for Thader to bring on the youth team players, including 16 year olds Icelandic Holmar, Vadin and Moroccan Adan.
All 3 made an immediate impact, none more so than Adan, who on 81 mins, picked up a loose ball, and although his initial shot was saved, he nonchalantly buried the rebound.
The gods were certainly looking down on the men from Rojales, for less than a minute later, Toni wasted a glorious opportunity to double his goal tally, when he inexplicably missed an open goal.
Adan almost made it safe for Thader, but his effort was well saved by visiting keeper Buyo. With time running out, Redovan created a further 2 opportunities, which were once again squandered.
So, all in all, Thader just about deserved this victory, and should go into next weeks away match at high flying Eldense in a confident mood. Check CD Thader facebook page for further details on this, and other information relating to the football club.
Image courtesy CD Thader
