CD THADER – 3 SC TORREVIEJA – 2
Although both sides were sitting on equal points prior to this highly charged local derby cup match, in Saturday’s Community League (Thader 5th, Torrevieja 6th), Thader thoroughly deserved their victory.
Referee Pachero, along with his assistants Lozano and Perez, were responsible for highly debatable decisions (or lack of!!).
This Round 5 La Nostra Copa tie took place inside Moi Gomez Stadium, Rojales, which had recently seen the pitch relayed. As expected, a bumper crowd was in evidence to see Thader take the lead on 19 mins as a defensive blunder allowed Presius a free run at goa.
The Thader striker made no mistake by sliding the ball under the onrushing Pizana, in between the Torrevieja sticks.
Less than 3 mins later, a glorious assist by Javi to Serhiy, resulted in the energetic Ukrainian blasting home from just inside Torrevieja´s box to extend the home side’s advantage.
When Juan scythed down a visiting attacker, it looked for all to see that the incident took place outside the box, but alas the match officials thought differently. The resulting penalty was coolly dispatched by Lewis, giving the visitors an unlikely addition to the scoreboard.
With time ticking away to the interval, Jordi executed a magnificent strike from a 25-yard free kick, which beat both the wall, and keeper Pizana, to restore Thader´s 2 goal advantage.
Both sides carved out good openings in the 2nd half, when a few opportunities went begging, but not converted.
Just when it looked as if the game would take its course, giving Thader a well-deserved passage into the round of 16, Torrevieja were awarded a second goal.
At least 2 players were blatantly offside, but a below par linesman failed to make the right call, as had previously been the case on more than one occasion, as he was yards behind play. Thader´s defence stood still, expecting a flag, which ultimately resulted in a headed goal.
Deep into stoppage time, Torrevieja had the ball in the net again, only this time, the same linesman saw fit to raise his flag – no comment!!
In a game which was played in a good spirit (not dirty by any stretch of the imagination), Señor Pachero inexplicably chose to book 5 Thader players (plus manager & assistant), plus 4 visitors.
This was the first of 3 consecutive matches at Moi Gomez stadium. Next up a 6th Round Community league encounter against Novelda on Sun 12 Jan, ko 1130, then on Sun 19 Jan, also 1130 ko, Torrevieja will once again be the visitors for what is expected to be yet another feisty encounter.
