Steve Hibberd writes ……..In anticipation of their opening day local derby on Sunday, CD Torrevieja added to their squad during the week with the arrival of Flores, a 20 year old right sided player from CD Alcoyano.
The midfielder is the latest addition as the club sets out on the campaign to regain its position in Tercera, from which both clubs were relegated at the end of last season, however when we spoke to manager Antonio Pedreño about his ambitions he failed to set goals saying that he was just hoping to build a strong and exciting squad.
Almoradi have also been busy in improving their team with three recent arrivals, defender Abel from Dolores, midfielder Semi has joined from Benferri while striker Gonzalo has made the short trip from Callosa.
The game itself had much to prove for both sets of players, although it took the opening quarter of the contest before we saw any real sort of urgency.
The first chance fell to the visitors but Nemo could only ‘sky’ the ball with the goal at his mercy.
This proved to be the wakeup call that ‘strolling’ Torry needed and from the very next attack Juanpe forced a corner from which Manu Amores scored direct. Savour the moment, they don’t come along very often.
Walid was lucky to escape with a yellow on the half hour when, as the last defender, he upended Gonzalo, who was powering toward goal. Buyo easily gathered the resultant free kick.
In terms of bookings though Almoradi clearly came out on top, particularly with their rather more physical approach in the 2nd period, as four ended in the book, with the experienced Elche referee Andreu Sabuco trying to keep a lid on the game.
It was also the visitors that probably shaded the match itself and but for the resolute and hardworking defending of the hosts they could certainly have travelled back home with a point. Saul, Benja and Ivan were particularly wasteful for Almoradi.
Beltran had a shot well saved by Vivancos on the hour mark while winger Juanpe could have done better in the closing minutes of the game, but again the keeper was equal to his effort.
But both these sides look as though they could prominently feature at the business end of this league as the season progresses although on the day the home side were rather fortunate in edging a win that they hardly deserved.
Next Sunday the venue switches just across the road to the Vicente Garcia for another home game against Villena, Sunday’s victors over Thader, kicking off at 6.45pm although as ever, it would be wise to check the club website when details are published later in the week.
