Pedreno mixed the team up more than usual, possibly to with a view to potential options next season. Jorge dropped back into the back four alongside Eddy, Berna started at left back and Burguillos, Borja and Corella made up the midfield triangle. Rafa Gomez must have been delighted to get a head start to the end of season shoot out with Cesar, seeing his rival for the top scorer place sitting on the bench once again. Oscar lined up in goal, knowing that 90 minutes would make him the only player to have played every minute of every game this season.
Torrevieja, spurred on by their young fans at the “School End” creating a magnificent atmosphere, started the game at pace. Brani went close to opening the scoring in the second minute and Cristian shot wide moments later having cut in from the left.
The new defensive partnership of Jorge and Eddy, who has been outstanding since moving central in the absence of Ruben, took time to gel and Oscar was called into action to make a fine save shortly before Alzira took the lead. Alzira seemed to have a plan in mind to isolate the Torrevieja captain, dragging Vicente forward from right back before consistently pinging the ball into the space left. The warning signs were there and the plan worked when Jorge was left one on one on the edge of the Torrevieja area. He was unable to deal with his man and the ball was worked to Higon who shot into Oscar’s far right corner.
This woke the Torreviejense and the poured forward. Corella, who shows amazing prowess at arriving in the box unmarked, sent two good chances high and wide. Rafa Gomez, stealing in at the near post, nearly added to his ten goals. Torrevieja attacked and attacked with little end product, meaning the sucker punch that was about to come was an inevitability. The sucker punch of which I speak was not the callous elbow delivered by Brian on to the cheekbone of Vicente off the ball and, amazingly, out of the sight of both the referee and linesman who could not have been more than 20 yards away combined. Handbags ensued and both players were booked. Shortly after Alzira doubled their lead from a corner, Palomares finding himself incredibly lonely in the packed area and heading home powerfully.
Again Torrevieja pushed forward and just before half time were given a lifeline. A quick move saw Brani play a one-two with Rafa Gomez and cross low across the goal. Cristian arrived from the opposite wing to flick it home with his left foot. The teams went in to the break at 2-1 to the visitors.
The second half was a mix of total one way traffic and domination from Torrevieja and Alzira finding great success by hitting a direct ball down the middle between Eddy and Jorge. Twice this happened to near great success and Oscar kept his side in the game with two saves, the first of which was possibly his best of the season. Corella had another couple of chances, one of which being his second to end out of the stadium. Chance after chance was missed and the shots were getting more desperate. Then, with eight minutes remaining, the final act of the season. Cesar, on as a late substitute, put in the most inviting of crosses and Cristian was there again to send the home fans wild, drums banging and names chanted. In the final minute Eddy, up from a corner, saw a shot cleared off the line.
The game ended 2-2 and a frustrating season that promised much at various points came to an end. Cristian picked up the “Pinada Blinds Man of the Match Award” and club captain Jorge was awarded “The Torry Army Player of the Season.”
With the new technical team led by Pedreno and the new enthusiasm being felt between the club and community 2015/16 cannot arrive soon enough. Keep your eyes and ears open over the summer for lots of exciting club news.
Hala Torrevieja!
Chris
Chris @cdtorrevieja_en
[email protected]
