SPORTING SAN FULGENCIO – 1 CD THADER – 1
(Thader Win 4-2 On Penalties)
As Thader have been eliminated at first time of asking in the La Nosta Copa for the last 2 seasons, it is a pleasant change to report that they are through to the next round. Having said that, it was far from easy, against a local side, one division below them. Due to a number of unavailability’s for key players, manager Raul Mora was forced to introduce a few fringe youth team players.
Inside the opening 2 mins, Thader keeper Sergio pulled off a glorious save to prevent the hosts taking the lead. When through on goal, Serhiy forced SF keeper Jesus to earn his keep, bravely saving a point blank drive.
On 10 mins, Thader new boy Precius shot just over, then straight up the other end, Sergio pulled off another worldly save. Midway through the half, Fran almost put the visitors ahead, but his shot went narrowly wide of the target. Precius was in the thick of the action, once again providing a decent cross, which Robin could not make the contact needed to put Thader ahead.
A combination of fine saves by Sergio from SF front men Victor and then Arimi, plus near misses, resulted in stalemate at half time.
Thader introduced 4 established players at half time, then another 3 before the end, in a bid to break the deadlock. But, only 54 seconds into the new half, the hosts had taken the lead. A long clearance out of defence fell kindly for the unmarked Bicho, who calmly shot under the diving body of Sergio.
Not to be deterred, the men from neighbouring Rojales were level on 57 mins. Following a corner, the ball appeared to be cleared to safety, only for Edu to hammer home a magnificent shot on the half volley through a sea of players, from all of 25 yards. It looked odds on that SF would retake the lead on 76 mins, only for Kevin´s lob over the advancing Sergio, to hit the top of the bar, before bouncing behind for a goal kick. The game went a bit flat for the remainder of the half, leaving both teams to prepare for a penalty shoot out.
SF scored with their first Penalty, only for Amin to level the scores. Man of the match Sergio saved from SF´s Valta , before Raul coolly dispatched his spot kick. Both SF and Jordy tucked away penalties no 3, before SF´s Josu shot over the bar.
Pepelu made light work of scoring the goal which put Thader´s name into the hat for the next round.
As Moi Gomez stadium pitch is still undergoing reseeding, Thader´s next match against Paterna on Sun 15 Dec, ko 1130, will be at the adjoining Xavi Simons stadium, Rojales.
