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Sluggish And Clueless Penalty Controversies

CD THADER 1 CALLOSA DEPORTIVA CF 1 CD TORREVIEJA 0 CALPE CF 0 Sports statistics can be misleading at times, but if you look at Torrevieja’s record this season in Preferente Group Four, they tell a very interesting and accurate tale. Having amassed a large number of his squad late in the day, coach Pedreno has produced a side that has conceded just five goals in the thirteen matches played, which is the best record in the division, with only second-placed Villajoyosa in single conceded figures at eight. In contrast, Torry have only netted 13 times, which

is the second-worst scoring record, with mid-table Callosa coming in with the lowest total of 12. It was another clean sheet for Torry at the Vicente Garcia stadium on Sunday in a disappointing goalless draw against a mediocre Calpe outfit, which saw the home side fail to get a win that would have put them top of the table, after Hercules B lost to Jove Espanol, a side that Torry beat the previous weekend. Torrevieja may have dominated the possession during the match, but they lacked creativity and a string of

poor finishes added to the frustration of the Torry supporters. In-form Marwane came the closest when he hit the post with a longrange shot, but it was in truth, a sub-standard performance against a Calpe side that played an hour with 10 men, after one of their players, Manu, was sent-off after a second yellow card. The result sees them third in the table, a point behind leaders Hercules, who they go to this Sunday afternoon for a 4.00 pm kick-off. A Calpe-style performance will not be good enough in Alicante.

A 52nd-minute goal from Nino gave Thader a share of the spoils in their match last weekend against Callosa. The Preferente group four match was switched from the Rojales stadium to Benijofar, as the annual winter reseeding of the pitch is taking place. It was an exciting contest with both sides giving it all,

with Callosa getting the early advantage through an Manresa penalty in the ninth minute, after the referee controversially adjudged Carlos had handled the ball. Ironically, Nino appeared to be fouled in the Callosa area shortly before half-time, but referee Pedro Serna Valero showed no interest in awarding an obvious spot-

kick. Nino got the leveller early in the second half, and Thader looked more likely to score, and could have snatched it through Piti in injury time. Thader are 14th in the table with 15 points, and now go to third-bottom Petrelense this Saturday afternoon (4.30 pm kick-off).

Second Best Monte

CD DOLORES 2 CD MONTESINOS 0

An Unbelievable Draw

The winning streak for Montesinos ended after four matches in Primera Regional Group Eight, as Dolores ran out deserved winners last Sunday, It was evenly matched in the first half with neither side creating many chances, but Dolores came out more determined after the inter-

val. Their defence was tough and hard on the Monte forwards, and they took the lead with a header 10 minutes into the second half, and then 10 minutes later they doubled their advantage through a free-kick, with poor Monte defending not helping in poor goals.

It was substandard for Montesinos compared to recent performances with little sign of their fast-flowing style, which sees the side go down to seventh in the table. This weekend they host struggling CD Cox this Sunday with a 5.00 pm kickoff.

Third Division News PINOSO CF 1 CD ALMORADI 1 This was an extraordinary point for Almoradi (in their away red kit) last Saturday, after losing at home to winless Monforte the previous weekend. Three Almoradi players were sent off in the space of a minute, with barely an hour gone, with Pinoso in front through Victor Oliver in the 52nd minute. That goal came after Almoradi had played well in the first half, with Fran Rivera having the best chance with a 20thminute shot. Then came the secondhalf fun and games thanks to referee Serna Vázquez,

who showed a second yellow card to Ángel, as the Almoradi players protested that it was somebody else that had actually committed the foul. The complaints were too much for the match official, who yellow-carded Hucha for the second-time, and he upgraded to a straight red for Mario. Down to eight men, it was all apparently over for Almoradi, as Pinoso totally controlled matters, but just could not score, with Burguillo stopping a certain second Pinoso goal as he cleared off the line. Then came the sucker-

punch as Fran Rivera in a rare counter-attack in the 84th minute went down in the Pinoso penalty area, and the referee pointed to the spot, much to the anger of the local fans and players, who did not believe that it was a penalty. Saul duly converted, and much as Pinoso pressed at the end, Almoradi produced a great escape with the most unlikely point imaginable. Almoradi lie 10th in the Preferente group four table, and welcome the team above them, neighbours Redovan this Sunday morning for an 11.30 am kick-off.

It’s tight at the top of the Valencian Regional Third division, as Orihuela came from behind to win threeone at Roda last weekend. Ayo got the equaliser in the 16th minute after Roda took an 11th-minute

advante. Antonio then scored twice in the 27th and the 37th minutes to kill off the game, and to put Orihuela on top alongside Levante, both on 34 points. They now play Rayo

Ebense this Sunday. Crevillente are eighth after their predictable two-nil win against struggling Elche Ilicitano, and now go to midtable Buñol, whilst third-bottom Elche entertain Villarreal.