LATE PENALTY DENIES TORRY VICTORY

Martin and Hugo returned from injury against high riding Almazora replacing Lewis and Dani Salazar as Torry searched for the points that would lift them out of the bottom four.

Not for the first time this season, the referee was unhappy with the colour of Buba’s shirt, resulting in a 7 minute delay to the game but when it did get underway the home side were by far the quicker out of the blocks.

As the Torry defence was in disarray they were fortunate not to fall behind as early as the 5^th minute when a fierce shot from Rai rattled against the crossbar before bouncing away to safety.

However the visitors gradually played themselves into the game with big Hugo forcing his way through the Almazora defence on 11 minutes only to see his delicate lob beat the keeper but unfortunately bounce off the top of the bar.

Next to come close for Torry was Pastor but his effort from a tight angle was fractionally off target.

With the exchanges fairly event and opportunities falling to both sides it was the hosts who opened the scoring on 34 minutes. Although there was more than a hint of offside as Nico received the ball the goal was allowed to stand despite the protests from the Torry bench.

Torrential rain was making it difficult for both sides but the visitors were handling the downpours better and only 6 minutes after they had gone behind the visitors were back on level terms when Damian drove the ball low into the corner of the net.

But with the interval approaching there were more goal still to come and after Pastor was brought down in the box Hugo made no mistake from the spot putting Torry in front.

Once again the home side were quicker out of the blocks at the start of the 2^nd period forcing 2 corners in quick succession but it was Torry who almost extended their lead after a great assist by Pastor to Mateus who lost his footing when any sort of contact would have extended the visitors lead.

Although the rain had eased up the players were still finding the surface difficult to assess so it was hardly surprising that Torry sat back as the home side did the pressing. Unfortunately it was a tactic that failed to pay off as in the final minutes of the game Calzado brought down Javier in a crowded area. Although Buba got close the shot from Cervantes squirmed under his legs to level the scoreline, in a match from which both sides probably deserved a share of the spoils.

Next Sunday Torry are at home to CF Recambios Colón who sit just 2 points above them in the table.  The game kicks off at 5pm at the Nelson Mandela Stadium

Lineup: Buba, Vicente Boix, Luis Carlos, Calzado, Martín, Booker, Pastor, Carrasco, Damián, Matheus, Hugo Salamanca.