CD Torrevieja 0 – 1 CD Castellon
As tempting as it was to roll out the same match report as last week, writer’s honesty got the better of me. The facts, however, are identical even if the result was different. CD Torrevieja outplayed CD Castellon for the entire match and once again their inability to turn endeavour, possession and even the occasional chance into goals came back to bite them on the proverbial losing bottom.
Pedreno feels as if he is getting closer to a preferred eleven, and who can blame him after 11 fixtures. That is likely to change next weekend at Levante, with Rafa Gomez unlikely to remain a substitute for much longer and the talent of Ruben Suarez craved by everyone. Pedreno made just the one change from the draw with Elche, the tall, elegant Javi Selvas handed a debut alongside Jorge at the back. Quintero, following his man of the match display a week ago, remained in the defensive midfield berth.
The first half, to the untrained eye, looked like a spell of Torrevieja dominance and many felt they were unlucky to be behind at the interval. However, Castellon were executing a clear game plan. Their back four was dropping to a certain point and inviting Torrevieja to find a way in behind them, which they were unable to do. Each Torrevieja half chance was a shot that had defenders in front of the ball, showing that for all their neat and tidy possession they were not hurting their opponents. Juanma had is obligatory cut inside and shoot moment, but his shot from distance was palmed away to safety.
Once in a while Castellon decided to venture forwards, attempting to hit Torrevieja on the break. They only needed to do this twice in the first period to get what they came for. The first quick counter ended with Selvas making a fine block on the goal-line with Oscar beaten, the second led to the eventual winning goal. Luis Carlos was caught up field supporting an attack which broke down. Mareyna drifted into the hole created and went up against Jorge one on one. A fortunate bounce of the ball took him round the Torrevieja captain and he drilled the ball into the far right hand corner of the goal. With just moments until half time it was a killer blow.
Rafa Gomez was introduced for Brani at half time, the young Croat unable to influence the game. The second half was a mirror image of the first, Torrevieja again invited to take the game to Castellon and again unable to break down a stubborn, well drilled back line. Half chances came and went, with nothing clear cut. With about fifteen minutes to go, having spent a large portion of the game hitting long high balls in the direction of the diminutive Cesar and Carrasco, Pedreno ordered Jorge up front to lead the line. It was refreshing to see that the “stick the centre half up top” tactic was alive and well in the lower divisions in Spain. However, this signalled the end of any long, high balls into the front line, meaning Jorge was left to wonder why he had moved forward. Torrevieja had two minor penalty appeals, the kind that would have left you furious if they had been given against you and bar a Javi Selvas header from a corner that went wide by millimetres the men in white never truly looked like finding the equalising goal.
The defeat leaves Torrevieja in 14th place and next week they travel to CF Levante, currently sitting in 4th. Ten points from eleven games with ten goals scored tells it’s own story.
