CD TORREVIEJA – 0 UD ILICITANA CF – 2
BY STEVE HIBBERD
Once again, Torry started a Preferente match with 4 youth team players, along with another 3 who were sat in the dugout. Unlike last weeks spirited draw at Redovan, the babes lacked any form of cohesion against a very average Ilicitana side. Torry were outplayed for long periods, and it´s anybodies guess where their next goal will come from. It´s now 4 games without a goal, whilst at the other end 10 have been conceded.
But when you consider that Fran, Manez, Omar, Rulo, Guido, Micro and Revi have all left the club in recent weeks, is it any wonder? These are quality players (well maybe not Omar) who are an asset to any side, and they will be missed big time.
I spoke to David, one of the new club owners, post match who informed me that as the budget had to be drastically trimmed, these players were allowed to be released.
Moncho has been promoted from caretaker manager, to that of a permanent role, and seems to be sticking by his policy of promoting from within the club. Whilst new signings Jonny and Alex sat on the bench, Moncho preferred to give a debut to Brandon, who put in a below average performance.
Having said that, he just wasn´t getting the service that a striker requires, if he was to perform to anything like his known ability.
Ilicitana had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring on 15 mins, but Javier was guilty of a glaring miss, screwing his shot wide from no more than 3 yards. Five mins later, an assist by Molina to Javier, resulted in the Ilicitana front man having his shot well saved.
Twas all Ilicitana, and on 22 mins, Piper had a fierce drive well saved by Cristo, who then completed a double save, this time from Javier.
The opening goal arrived on 32 mins, courtesy of a free kick by Piper, which was parried by Cristo into the path of Molina, who from an acute angle found the back of the net. Torry were close to levelling soon after from a 25 yard rocket shot by Moi, which was superbly tipped over the bar by Boro. The half ended with Cristo using his outstretched legs to save a goal bound effort by Cabillo.
Soon after the restart, Jose was faced with a one on one with Torry keeper Cristo, but the Ilicitana midfielder lacked composure by shooting straight at his opponent. Jose had another chance on 58 mins, but once again Cristo saved well and the chance went begging.
On 80 mins, Molina saw Cristo off his goal line, and from fully 40 yards, executed a delightfully chipped shot which eased just inside the post. Only a goal line clearance prevented Ilicitana adding a 3rd, in a match that was not one for the purest, as the standard of play was poor to say the least.
This defeat, added to Benidorm´s shock victory at CFI Alicante, meant that Torry slipped to 2nd to bottom.
Next weekend they visit their closest rivals in avoiding the dreaded drop, as they make the journey to Benidorm.
