‘POLA SNEAK HOME IN SEVEN GOAL THRILLER

Sport » Soccer » Santa Pola CF

Kevin Rendall / 2009-11-22 15:06:47

Two goal Chema skips away from former Pola player Cristian

Seven goals, two penalties, two red cards and an extraordinary officiating blunder were the headlines from a pulsating game of football that, in the end, the home side just shaded.

Two ahead at the interval, Santa Pola were outscored by three to two after the break by Benisa, who showed plenty of technique, strength and controlled aggression. In the end two brilliant strikes by veteran Chema kept Santa Pola ahead and allowed them to claim all three points from an absorbing top of the table clash.

Marcos opened the scoring from the spot on twenty five minutes after the livewire Chema was hauled down by Fosco who saw yellow. At times it seemed the only control referee Oliver Lopez imposed on the game was whilst blowing for the beginning and end of proceedings. Far too many cards were flourished as both sets of players fought in a hard but fair fashion. Edu for Benisa was one of the few decisions Sr. Lopez called correctly, rightly receiving a straight red card for a snide and late foul on Chema.

With seconds of the first period remaining, a stinging left foot drive by Dani was kept out by the alert Benisa ‘keeper Antonio. Paloma swung in the resulting corner to the far post and found Hugo who made no mistake with a powerful header to double the lead. Half time 2-0

Ten minutes after the re-start, Santa Pola were dealt a double blow, key defender Miguel conceded a penalty and earned himself his second yellow. Aurina scored from the spot to halve the deficit, as Benisa, back to equal numbers pushed on. A foul by Benisa captain Cristian and a clear yellow card signalled the start of an inexplicable oversight by the match referee.

Santa Pola scored next as Chema was freed up by the excellent Dani to round Antonio for 3-1. A second yellow for Cristian should have meant red for the visiting defender, not so though as Sr. Lopez incorrectly ignored the advice of his assistant. The former Santa Pola player then took full advantage of his massive good fortune to lash in a free kick for 3-2.

A brilliant burst of pace by Chema saw him round Antonio to restore the two goal cushion before being replaced by Adriano to a huge ovation. Still Benisa weren’t done and the oh so fortunate Cristian found Nestor unmarked to apply a simple finish from close in with five minutes remaining. Try as they might, the visitors couldn’t manage a fourth and Santa Pola held firm for a huge and deserved home win.

The Marineros put in a gritty and determined performance against one of the best teams they’ll face this season. This victory sets up the team very nicely for the long trip to Javea next Sunday when they welcome back influential midfielder Carlos-Fernandez, absent today through suspension.

Santa Pola C.F. 4 - 3 U.D. Benisa

Photos Mark Welton www.foto23.info