Pedreno shuffled the pack once more, making four changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Villereal on Wednesday night. Oscar was back in goal, Burguillos, Sanchez and Lewis also started. The unlucky quartet were Miguel, Quintero, Juanma and Juanfran. There was also a change of shape, Torrevieja lining up with a back four and a midfield diamond. Martin was at the base and Carrasco playing at the tip in a formation that required a lot from Luis Carlos and Vicente at full back.
Muro were unimpressive from the first whistle, and Oscar will most likely not have an easier ninety minutes this season. From the first whistle, despite not playing superbly themselves, Torrevieja were clearly the better side and went ahead after just 9 minutes. Luis Carlos hit a channel ball in behind Muro, on to which raced Cesar. His cross was fumbled by the goalkeeper Edu Samblas and Lewis was gifted a tap-in from two yards. It was the young English striker’s first goal for the club and will hopefully give him a great lift. Lewis was in the action again 15 minutes later, racing on to a header from Burguillos. Edu Samblas charged out of his goal somewhat foolishly, and Lewis’ attempt to lift the ball over the ‘keeper ended in disaster for Muro. Edu Samblas handled outside his area and hardly waited to see the referee show him a straight red card.
Five minutes later and Muro were punished further. Luis Carlos, always keen to get forward from left back, crossed and Carrasco arrived unmarked to tuck home his first goal of the season. The captain for the day was in fine form, and does look more dangerous when played in an advanced position.
Muro were in disarray, and their behaviour on the pitch became more frustrated. Niggly little fouls were coupled with some blatant foul play and the referee struggled to keep the game under control. The second half was scrappy, and Muro made their life even more difficult when they were reduced to nine men. Right in front of the referee, Alex Torrella laid out Matej with an arm to the face which was only going to end with a red card. Playing against nine is not something a team encounters everyday, and Torrevieja struggled to make the extra numbers count. Only in injury time did they force one final save, a close range header from Juanfran being tipped wide.
The result was more important than the performance. The result should bring confidence. Lewis and Cesar looked very bright up front, but against a poor Muro opposition it is difficult to see this as a watershed moment. Next week brings a tougher challenge in Novelda, currently 6th but smarting from a 1-0 defeat at home to Crevillente. Torrevieja then face Crevillente at the Vicente Garcia on Sunday 4th October. These two games will tell us more about the team’s revival. However, let’s not end on a low note. A win is a win and there haven’t been any of them to cheer until now.
