NOVELDA UNION – 1 CD THADER – 2
BY STEVE HIBBERD
A neutral inside Estadio La Magdelena last Saturday evening, could easily have mistaken Novelda as the team with nothing to play for, whilst Thader were desperate for points to guarantee at least a play-off slot.
But, in reality, it was Thader who started the day in 8th place, whereas Novelda were 3rd, only 1 point off top spot in the Community league southern group.
Deprived of the services of senior players including Javi & Lloyd, the youth of Rojales suddenly became men during this epic encounter. Manager Raul Mora, chose to give all his available substitutes a 2nd half run out, the majority of which are themselves in the youth bracket.
With a number of spectators amongst a large crowd, not yet having taken their seats, a brave decision by ref Miguel Lucas, set the visitors on their way to victory.
Only 1 min 20 secs had elapsed, when a goal bound shot by Tremino, was handled inside the box. By the time Serhiy had cooly dispatched the resultant penalty, almost 3 mins had been played.
This lead could easily have been extended on 14 mins, following a teasing cross by Pepe, which was headed fractionally over the bar.
Novelda should really have levelled the scores on 23 mins, but Toni Diez squandered a glorious opportunity, when from 10 yards out, and with only keeper Chema to beat, he shot horribly wide.
On 39mins, a mesmerizing run down the left wing by Press (or Precious – take your pick!), resulted in his shot being well saved by home keeper Luis, then from the rebound, Amin forced another vital save.
Captain of the day, Juan, was guilty of missing a sitter on 49 mins. Kone provided him with a peach of an assist, but when faced with an open goal at his mercy, he somehow blasted the ball so high in the air, that an overhead pigeon narrowly escaped serious injury!
Incredibly, it was Thader who were running the show, finely illustrated when only a min later, first Serhiy, then Berni, tested Luis with fierce shots on target.
Up the other end, Toni Diez had a header cleared off the line, as the game took on a frantic edge to it. It looked odds on that Ruano had squared proceedings on 64 mins, but his shot from an acute angle sailed across the face of goal, before ending up wide of the far post.
Substitute Robin should have put the game out of Novelda´ s reach on 74 mins, but when faced with an open goal, he dallied, and the moment was lost. Shortly afterwards, strong Novelda appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears, following Kone handling inside the area. But, on 82 mins, Novelda’ s sub Alvaro, slammed home a direct free kick, to make the score 1-1.
Unbelievably, less than 3 mins later, Thader sub Raul, picked up a loose ball, before placing it past a crestfallen Luis, to put the visitors back into the lead.
Worse was to follow for the hosts, when Novelda captain Ricky was shown a straight red card for comments made to the ref. Down to 10 men, it was a tall order for them to force an equaliser, as was proven when the final whistle blew, signalling home team players falling on their knees in despair.
So, not only did that mean the end of Novelda’ s promotion hope (they finished the season in 5th spot having led the table going into the game), but with Thader´s local arch-rivals Torrevieja also losing, bragging rights have gone to the men from Rojales, who leapfrogged Torry into 7th place.
Having completed a hard-fought league double over Novelda, Thader can now sit back and enjoy a well-earned summer break.
