CD ELDENSE ‘B’ – 1 CD THADER – 2
Against a team playing for a place in the play offs, Thader gave their all, to record a memorable victory. Needing to finish in the top half of the division, in order to qualify for a higher division in a revamped Preferente set up next season, this victory has put them well on the way to achieving their objective. With experienced players free from suspension/injuries, the side had a more balanced look from that of previous weeks.
It took only 9 seconds for the match referee to brandish a yellow card to an Eldense player for a cynical foul on Quino. From the resultant free kick, it appeared that Thader should have had a penalty for hand ball in the area, but play was allowed to continue. Pedro Juan found Quino with space on 8 mins, but unfortunately, he failed to direct his header on target.
Alfonso forced a magnificent save by Chema on 10 mins, as the hosts made a belated appearance. Strong appeals for a penalty on 12 minutes were directed to the referee by Thader players, following what seemed a trip on Fran, but again they fell on deaf ears! When Quino was bundled over inside the 18-yard box on 20 mins, Thader fans (all 5 of us) felt sure that it would be 3rd time lucky, but once again protestations were waved aside.
I may be beginning to sound like a broken long-playing record, but the refusal to award clear cut fouls by referees in this division, is now becoming a farce!
The legs of Eldense’s keeper Luismi came to his side’s rescue on 22 mins, following a goal bound effort by Pedro Juan. Next it was Fran’s turn to pepper the goal, when his 30-yard screamer narrowly missed the target.
From the next attack, Rosquin shot over from Quino’s back heeled assist, as Thader were starting to turn the screw. Eldense’s David was causing all kinds of trouble, none more so than on 37 mins, when Chema acrobatically palmed aside a stunning effort.
Ruben had the final word of the half, when from just inside the half way line, Thader’s veteran midfielder, launched a rocket shot that went agonisingly close.
A delightful through ball by Pedro Juan on 48 mins, presented Quino the opportunity to slip the ball under the on rushing Luismi, giving the visitors a well-deserved lead. Chema was once again at his normal reliable self on 51 mins, as he bravely saved a close-range effort from the menacing David. Totally against the run of play, Alonso picked up a loose ball on 70 mins, before planting a low drive past Chema, to make it 1-1.
Chema again foiled David on 72, then again on 74, mins, as the hosts went in search of a winning goal. But football’s a funny old game (Saint!), for surprisingly it was Thader who notched a 2nd goal.
A long ball out of defence found Quino, who rounded the keeper before squaring the ball to Rosquin, who made no mistake of stroking the ball into an empty net.
Quino could have had a 2nd goal on 88 mins, but his close-range effort was saved by Luismi. All hell broke loose in stoppage time, following a melee on the touch line, which resulted in a red card to Eldense captain Bruno, and Thader’s substituted centre back Miguel.
Next Sunday 14 May, 1130 ko, at Moi Gomez stadium, Thader take on Santa Pola, for what should be a winner takes all contest.
