SC Torrevieja 1-1 CF Benidorm
BY CHRIS PEACH
SC Torrevieja CF’s dream of reaching the 3ª RFEF remains alive after a dramatic 1-1 draw against CF Benidorm in the first leg of the promotion play-off final at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Benidorm arrived with confidence, having beaten Torrevieja twice in the league, but the hosts rose to the occasion in front of their supporters and produced a performance full of energy, commitment and attacking intent.
The opening stages were frantic. Benidorm created the first real chance after breaking through down the left, but the final shot was dragged wide. The visitors then appealed strongly for a penalty after goalkeeper Pizana appeared to collide with a forward inside the area, but the referee waved play on.
Torrevieja soon took control. Gálvez was at the heart of their best moments, first curling a fine effort towards the far corner, then forcing a superb save as the Benidorm goalkeeper tipped his powerful strike onto the crossbar.
The breakthrough came in the 26th minute. Breno’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked, but Gálvez reacted quickest, pouncing on the loose ball to stab home and give Torrevieja a deserved 1-0 lead.
Benidorm’s afternoon worsened seven minutes later when their number 23 was shown a second yellow card following an elbowing incident. With the visitors reduced to ten men, Torrevieja pushed for a second before the break, with Pucho’s dangerous free-kick forcing another sharp save.
Half-time: SC Torrevieja 1-0 CF Benidorm
Torrevieja began the second half brightly, with Matías firing narrowly wide and Caleb and Ismail both causing problems. But despite being a man down, Benidorm found a way back in the 56th minute when their towering central defender rose highest from a corner and powered a header past Pizana.
The tie then took another twist when Abadía was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball altercation, leaving both teams with ten men.
Torrevieja threw on fresh legs, with Toro, Manresa, Berenguer, Carmona, Otman and Ernesto all entering the action as the hosts searched for a winner. As fatigue set in, the game became scrappy, but the home side almost delivered a late knockout blow.
In the 89th minute, a clever free-kick routine saw Berenguer whip in a dangerous cross, and Toro’s header crashed against the top of the crossbar.
Full-time: SC Torrevieja 1-1 CF Benidorm
Torrevieja may feel they let victory slip after leading and playing with a man advantage, but everything remains to play for. The promotion final now heads to Benidorm next weekend, where one decisive 90 minutes will determine who takes the next step towards the 3ª RFEF.
