BY STEVE HIBBERD

CD Torrevieja 3 – 3 CD Montesinos

Patience is a virtue, and so it has proven for Torry manager Pedreño.  The wily old fox has refused to rush into assembling an almost total rebuilt of his squad, an understandable priority over arranging pre-season friendlies. 

Against near neighbours CD Montesinos at Nelson Mandela Stadium, they showed their fans glimpses of what to expect next season, when they embark on what will hopefully prove to be a successful season back in the Preferente Division.  A minutes silence for the victims of the horrific Catalonia tragedy preceded the kick off.

Ex Hercules and Alvira man Jorge Beltran had a short stint at Torry last season, but took only 12 mins before getting on the score sheet to add to the goal he notched up previously. 

In a real see-saw match, the visitors equalized on the half hour mark, before Manu Amores (enjoying his 3rd stint at the club) put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half time.  As per normal, Pedreño elected to make wholesale 2nd half substitutions, allowing Montesinos to equalize on 47 then go ahead on 56 mins.  Manu Amores enssured that his 62nd min equalizer gave the game a fair scoreline, this considering that his team mates are obviously lacking in match fitness.

Torry line up – Mauro, Vicente, Mario, Zaragoza, Verdu, Ramiro, Manu Amores, Dani Salazar, Eric, Beltran, Santos.

Next Saturday at Ikomer Stadium (check out website for ko time), Torry take on Horadada in their second warm up match for the new season.