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MATCH REPORT JORNADA 11
Sunday 11th November 2007
CALPE CF 0 CD JAVEA 3
Author: Mike Smith

CD JAVEA hauled their season back on track with a stunning victory in the Marina Alta derby at Calpe CF. Goals from Puncho, Juanito and Javi secured all three points to bring smiles back to the faces of everyone at the club after the disappointment of two back-to-back defeats. The performance was certainly not a classic; the rojiblancos simply took advantage of the turmoil at Calpe which resulted in an opposition manned with a mixture of youthful enthusiasm and aged experience. Yet victory lifted the spirits once again as CD Javea moved within three points of the play-off zone.

In the days leading up to this important local derby, the local newspapers had been filled with news of turmoil at Calpe CF, another unlikely victim of October's disastrous Gota Fria floods. With local government money being re-directed towards the recovery of a town hit badly by the storms and the potential bankruptcy of many of the club's sponsors affected by the flooding, a financial noose had been placed around the neck of Calpe CF. During the week it had been reported that head coach Juan Ivorra had resigned due to lack of payment and was followed by a number of key players, including De la Sagra, Marcilla, Jesús and Vicente. Rumours were even circulating that the calpinos might not even have a team to face the rojiblancos but the Calpe President gave assurances that the club was not on the point of collapse and that the game would go ahead.

A sizeable army of travelling fans once again made terrific noise in the newly-developed main stand at the Municipal Stadium. Only a few months ago, the hard sand pitch at Calpe was notorious for being one of the worst in the area but (ironically) a good deal of investment had turned a poor ground into one of the best, boasting a new artificial surface and a roof over its terrific main stand which had also been fitted out with new plastic seating. If only Javea town hall could have seen the improvements, they might invest some money to provide similar improvements to our own stadium!

Facing an understrength team, CD Javea took the game by the scruff of the neck and imposed their obvious advantage on the home side. They swept forward in confidence and it was only a lack of composure in front of goal that prevented the away side from taking the lead early in the game. As it was, we had to wait only twenty minutes or so before the inevitable opening goal arrived. A superb through ball from Javi sitting on the half-way line was met by Puncho who had timed his run well enough to avoid being called offside by a linesman who was struggling to keep up with play anyway. The keeper advanced to try and block the advancing player but Puncho was not about to let the chance go begging. After fluffing an initial shot when the ball got somehow trapped between his legs, he managed to push wide of the keeper and, with a defender in close attendance, slide the ball into the open goal from 12 yards to spark scenes of celebration on the pitch and in the stands. Minutes later Carlos Ribes should have doubled the advantage when he found himself in acres of space on the left-hand side of the area but he managed to smash the ball well wide of the right-hand post.

Javea took command of the game and Calpe had very little in their tank to respond with as tempers began to fray; defender Climent was getting particularly wound up - and the travelling army in the stands did their own bit to help shorten his temper! We all knew that this game was to be won by the rojiblancos and we would do our utmost best to help.

The second-half brought plenty of action as Calpe attempted to drag themselves back into the game. Defender and skipper Juanma stood tall in the centre of defence and his man-of-the-match performance contributed much towards keeping Calpe out of the game. Tempers continued to shorten and it was no surprise that a player would be dismissed with Calpe's Marmol receiving his marching orders for a second yellow card after clattering into Puncho just outside the box. Yet, as it always the case, it was Calpe who would look the more dangerous side after being reduced to ten men and they worked very hard to try and find a goal that might turn the game. However the rojiblancos worked hard, tackling ferociously to contain the threat of a resurgence by the home side.

With the minutes ticking away, the travelling fans lifted their voices one final time to try and urge their team to kill off the game against a wave of confident play from the home side. Finally the rojiblancos used their advantage to lay siege to the Calpe goal and eventually doubled the advantage when subsitute Juanito fired home from close range. With seconds remaining, and as the fans began to celebrate victory, Javi was on hand to bundle home the ball from a corner and secure maximum points.

At the final whistle, the players and staff gathered with purpose in front of the travelling army and saluted the fans for their continued support and faith in the rojiblancos. Team spirit lifted a notch and the momentum both on and off the pitch will need to be continued at home against CD Polop next Sunday (18th November) at 6.00pm.