WINNING START FOR NEW SANTA POLA COACH

Sport » Soccer » Santa Pola CF

Kevin Rendall / 2011-01-01 09:41:51

Santa Pola Club de Futbol last week dismissed first-team coach Adolfo Soto Villena

Santa Pola Club de Futbol last week dismissed first-team coach Adolfo Soto Villena, "Adolfo" following a poor run of recent results and a mediocre mid-table league position. Appointed in the summer of 2010, Villena had seen his side take one point from a possible twelve in the past four matches; following a dire goal-less draw against Albatera, Santa Pola then lost away to Hercules ‘B’ and Altea before slipping to a 1-3 defeat in their last home outing of the year against Universidad Alicante.

The new coach will be Miguel Quirant who is presently part of the Orihuela ‘B’ coaching set up. Quirant began playing in the junior categories for Kelme and then Bigastro before donning the shirts of Torrevieja, Elche CF, Mar Menor, Ontinyent, Orihuela, Santa Pola, Denia and Alicante. Quirant started his coaching career with various Kelme category youth sides before continuing at Almoradi, Alone as an assistant, Denia as assistant to Nino Lema and Orihuela ‘B’.

The new occupant of the Marineros hot seat said, "I feel like I’ve come home. I have great memories of Santa Pola from my time as a player here and will try to impart all my knowledge to improve the team, the style of play and take the team as far as I can. I know almost all the staff, some of whom are friends, and players like Chiqui I worked with in Alicante and Hucha in Kelme, for me that’s a big advantage as I start to work"

Alicante ‘B’ 0 - 1 Santa Pola CF

With his registration papers not finalised in time, Quirant watched from the sidelines as his new team took on and beat Alicante ‘B’ in their final Preferente fixture of 2010. In one of many matches brought forward from the New Year, a first half Alfonso goal was enough to see off the home side and give the struggling seasiders a timely boost.

It wasn’t all good news though; centre back Miguel was dismissed after something of a shoving match ensued following a bad tackle on ‘Pola midfielder Chiqui who hobbled off and took no further part.

The majority of Preferente Group 4 sides will now enjoy a two week break from league action and resume hostilities on the weekend of January the 8th and 9th when Santa Pola host Thader in an 1130 kick off on the Sunday.

Photo Mark Welton www.foto23.info