‘POLA NOT QUITE GOOD ENOUGH

Sport » Soccer » Santa Pola CF

Kevin Rendall / 2009-11-29 18:46:12

American Mario Fernandez is trapped

Javea is never the nicest of places to visit in search of Preferente points, even more so with a late kick off time on a wet and miserable Sunday afternoon. A scoreless first half that seemed to go on forever yielded to a slightly better second period that the work rate and organisation of the home side just shaded.

Javea captain Wars opened the scoring from the penalty spot just after the hour, only for the lead to be cancelled out by ‘Pola substitute Pedro who connected well with a Paloma corner. The distinction of scoring the winning goal fell to the best player in the game, Javea midfielder Pablo, the energetic winger headed wide of Julio to secure all three points for the home side.

Inside the first five minutes, Santa Pola goalkeeper Julio was in action, Mata turned on a sixpence and lashed in a shot the away goalkeeper did well to get down to. That was as good as it good in a pretty dire forty five minutes of football. Javea continually denied Santa Pola the space in which to use their passing game, on the rare occasions the away forwards threatened, the excellent Youssoupha, playing just in front of the back four, was on hand to quell any hint of danger.
Half time 0-0

After the break both sides raised their game, as the weather worsened the quality of football from both sides improved significantly. Eighteen minutes after the restart, Pablo surged into the box and was hauled down by Vicente as referee Jordi Molina pointed to the spot for a clear penalty, also finding time to book the original culprit and Santa Pola captain Monsa for complaining.

A goal to the good, Javea looked comfortable but it was the visitors who scored next. A Paloma corner was aimed to the far post where youngster Pedro, on five minutes earlier in place of Adriano, rose highest.

With fifteen minutes remaining, and all to play for, three points were there for the taking and Javea it was who showed the greater desire to step forward and grab them. Pablo, a constant menace down the flanks, took up a central position inside the box and, in spite of being surrounded by two or three considerably taller defenders, rose unchallenged to head a Duque cross beyond the reach of Julio. Full time 2-1

Not the Marineros best ninety minutes of football but a long way from their worst, they probably deserved a point from this, their longest away journey of the season. It wasn’t to be, a youthful Javea side did just enough in the key areas and had the most effective players on view.

C.D.Javea 2 -1 Santa Pola C.F.
By Kevin Rendall

Images Mark Welton www.foto23.info