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ELCHE CLIMB CONTINUES

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John McGregor / 2009-11-22 20:23:33

Prior to this match Elche were 10th, and Betis one place and one point behind, with the Illicitanos only five points below leaders Cartagena, so tight is this league.

Elche had won their last three matches, unbeaten since Jose Bordelas took over five games ago. So an important Sunday evening at the Martinez Valero for both teams was watched by a goodly crowd of 9,632, mostly from Elche but a small travelling band from Seville, home of Betis.

Santos was back for Elche, with last weeks goalscorer Saul not even on the bench, otherwise it was the same team that finished against Castellon, Ximi Navarro in for the suspended Oscar Rubio. A diving header from Santos went just over after only three minutes as Elche announced their intentions from the start. Ximi Nazarro crossed from the right on twelve minutes, down went Molina in the box, play on said referee Teixiera Vitienes.

Wakaso did play on, winning the loose ball and immediately feeding Trejo. The Argentinian striker appeared to lose it, regaining it to crack a low shot into the far corner of the Betis net, 1 – 0 and a great start for the Illicitanos. Bookings for either side were really the only other major events of the first half, three to Betis and two to Elche.

No-one could have predicted the explosive start to the second half. Immediately Wakaso chipped a cross that Molina headed over, but the next minute the big striker was put clear through the middle by Juli. Just inside the penalty area he was hauled down, penalty awarded this time, and straight red for Carlos Garcia. After what seemed ages Molina calmly slotted it home low to Goitia’s right – goal ? No, take it again said over-fussy Snr Painful.

In an absolute carbon copy of the first Molina scored again, and this time it counted. Hardly had we caught our breath from the celebrations, when Trejo this time burst through, and guess what ? He was hauled unceremoniously down too, only a yellow this time for Nelson, but he protested so much he got a second booking, and off he went too ! Ice-veins Molina switched his penalty this time, high up to Goitia’s left, Elche 3 – 0 up and coasting.

Against nine men the Illicitanos should have done much better and really rubbed it in with more goals. Betis even had one or two moments themselves as the second half wore on, but ever-faithful goalkeeper and captain Willie Caballero was on hand to pull off a couple of sound saves to spare any Elche blushes. Astute coach Bordelas was able to bring on Generelo, Olmo and Jandro for Wakaso, Marti Crespo and Juli, no disrespect here to anyone, this was sensible substituting to give other key members of the squad a run-out.

We all enjoyed a Mexican wave or two as Elche ran out deserved winners 3 – 0, a good workmanlike performance which unbelievedly now takes the rejuvenated Franjiverdes up to fifth place. Most of the other weekend results went the right way, Elche now only four points behind new leaders Real Sociedad, and level points with fourth place local rivals Levante. Heady stuff when you thing only six games back Elche had sacked manager Claudio following the disastrous start to the season.

Next Sunday Elche are away to Villareal B, themselves on a roll, but not as sound as Elche’s fantastic four wins in a row, six games unbeaten under Jose Bordelas !

Mucho Elche !

 

Elche 3 Real Betis 0

Photos Mark Welton www.foto23.info