Elda Industrial – 4  CD Torrevieja – 1 ……. By Steve Hibberd

For the second consecutive away match, Torry played their preferente fixture on a Friday night.   But alas, the match at the New Pepico Amat Stadium, also resulted in them losing for the 8th consecutive time. 

A season that started so brightly, is now about to finish in total darkness, as long suffering fans despair as to what the future holds. 

With one game remaining, had it not been for Calpe’s expulsion from the league, a do or die battle would have been on the cards. 

We have been informed that as the old grandstand has been raised to the ground, a return to Vicente Garcia Stadium for the start of next season is the plan (cunning maybe?).  Is that with or without a new grandstand?  If the PP had not broken all their hollow promises time and time again, Torry would’t find themselves in the dire straits they are now in, but mustn’t get too political eh! 

Let’s move rapidly on to the match against Elda Industrial shall we?  OK, without sounding like a badly scratched long playing record, Torry started brightly, but faded badly!! 

Elda opened the scoring on 28 mins, when Sevilla struck a peach of drive, culminating a move started by Abraham then a headed assist from Aitor.  Back came Torry 5 mins later, as Santi beat 2 players before passing to Silver, who from the edge of the box, struck the ball just inside the far post.  On the stroke of half time, Santi squared the ball to Silver, then from distance he smacked the ball against the crossbar.  Did the ball then cross the line before being cleared upfield?  Without the benefit of video tv, ref Calero from Alicante gave the benefit of doubt to the defence, and waived play on. 

The 2nd half continued in the same vein, right up to to final 15 minutes of play.  A delightful move on 75 mins involving Samuel and Maicol, saw the latter provide an inch perfect assist to Manuel.  How Elda keeper Oscar managed to save the blistering shot from Torry’s substitute is anyone’s guess, but within a blink of an eye, disaster struck.  Straight up the other end, a defensive mix up allowed Mario to fire home from close range. 

To add salt into the wound, midfielder Valencia stupidly picked up a needless 2nd yellow card, and for the umpteenth time this season, Torry were down to 10 men.  Within 10 mins it was 3-1, when an assist by Cristian was dispatched with venom by Aitor, who watched with glee as the ball eased inside the cross bar. 

 reckless challenge by Ulises on Abraham inside the box on 89 mins, then saw the Elda front man dust himself off, before giving Cristobel no chance with the resulting penalty.

Next Sunday at Nelson Mandela Stadium (check club website for ko time), Torry face local rivals Thader Rojales in the final fixture of the season.