Mutxamel 1-0 SC Torrevieja
By Chris Peach
Torry were again the last team to play at the weekend knowing that they needed all 3 points if they were to remain 1pt behind leaders Murada, winners by 2-1 in a lunchtime kick off at San Fulgencio.
Gil had a strong squad to choose from with Saul, back from suspension, taking a seat on the bench, with new recruit, Toni Anton, coming into the attack to make his full debut.
With the home side fighting to stay in the division Torry probably anticipated a rather easier ride but they soon knew that was unlikely to be the case as Mutxamel were equal to everything that Torry threw at them.
A cagey opening period saw little of note until the in-form Lewis forced a bright save from the Mutxamel following an Abadia free kick.
Midway through the half and another opportunity to the visitors which, disappointingly was hit well over the bar by Adabia.
Torry needed to move the ball around more quickly to create space if they were to put the home side under pressure but the home side were looking dangerous at set pieces, a number of crosses finding the head of their tall striker who had already gone close.
On the stroke of half-time Mutxamel saw the best chance of the game, a long throw stabbed towards goal but it was wide, when the striker should have done better.
The second period saw much of the same with the home side pumping high balls into their big number nine. On 52 minutes he won a header 6-yards out but sent it narrowly wide of Maxi’s far post. By now Torry were 2nd best
An opportunity for the visitors saw Lewis wriggle free in the box, but his right foot shot was well blocked by the defender as the ball rolled safely back to the keeper
Moments later the inevitable happened, the home side went in front. With the ball switched from right to left the Mutxamel winger cut in from the right hand side and hit a low drive from about 25-yards which nestled into the bottom corner
The goal brought immediate Torrevieja changes with Saul and Omar coming on for Luis Carlos and Toni Anton, however it was Mutxamel that then went close, as the big forward, running at goal, beat 3 Torry defenders before getting a strike on goal. Maxi did well to narrow the angle and make a save down to his left.
An audacious overhead kick went close for Lewis with the keeper beaten before Abadía was replaced by Fran Diez for the final fifteen minutes.
Another great save from Maxi, as he dived at full stretch before Lewis went close again, this time a Fran Diez through ball found him in the box, but his volley went just wide.
With striker Cristian Montero replacing centre back Campillo for the final 10 minutes Gil was certainly going for it, but with a succession of long balls finding the Muxtamel defenders completely dominant in the air, there seemed to be no way through for the visitors.
Despite two late chances from Omar and Jorge Carmona, Torry were unable to break the deadlock and so, as they slip to a disappointing defeat, Mutxamel were all smiles moving out of the bottom three to relative safety.
Next week Torry entertain another team fighting for survival, EU Crevillent. Info as ever on the Torry Army Facebook page.
