A double treat for football fans at Pinatar arena on Friday as Sheffield Wednesday met Eldense in the morning session while Arsenal U/21 entertained Villarreal C in a clash that put-on show some of the future stars of world soccer in the Pinatarense complex.
In the final game of their pre season break, in the searing Spanish heat, the Owls were well beaten in the morning game, getting off to the worst possible start when CD Eldense, took the lead in just the 5th minute, with a great goal from Arnau Ortíz, the 21-year-old rifling past Cameron Dawson from outside the box.
For the next half hort things were fairly even with both sides enjoying opportunities, but then in 35th minute when a well-worked move from Eldense saw Juanto Ortuno find space, and he crashed it home from close-range to double the Spaniards’ lead.
Eldense made wholesale changes at the interval as they brought on 10 and fresh sets of legs, including six new signings. Akin Famewo was the only change for the Owls, replacing Adam Alimi-Adetoro.
Unsurprisingly given the heat there was no real intensity to the second half until the final 20 minutes or so. Wednesday still couldn’t find any rhythm and by the 79th minute it was 3-0 Joel Jorquera finding space in the box to bend it around Dawson and inside the far post.
Eldense made it four as Ivan Chapela broke through on goal and slotted it past Pierce Charles, shortly after he had replaced Dawson in goal.
Earlier in the week the Owls had played out a goalless draw with Real Murcia, another game in which they failed to inspire, the message being that they will need to add to their squad fairly quickly if their promotion to the championship is to bear any fruit.
In the evening game it was the turn of Arsenal U21 to face Villarreal C in front of some 700 spectators where two goals from the Spanish outfit, the second a sensational free kick from Alassan, saw them achieve a comfortable victory.
Once again, another great day for local afficionados with plenty more still to come in the next weeks as Pinatar Arena and the Costa Calida continues to reference the area as one of the very best locations for quality football. www.pinatararena.com
