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MATCH REPORT JORNADA 17
Sunday 13th January 2008
ALBATERA CF 1 CD JAVEA 1
Author: Mike Smith
Photograph by Fay Hughes

CD JAVEA picked up a valuable point against Albatera CF to keep themselves in the chase for a promotion play-off spot. Striker Alex Cuadrado scored his fifth goal of the season to become the club's leading scorer for the season and put the rojiblancos into a half-time lead. However a horrific defensive error allowed Albatera to equalise and set up a barnstorming finish during which goalkeeper Ortolá had to be at his very best to keep out the home side. The noisy travelling army saluted their heroes at the end of a very tough game, appreciating the significance of a useful point against a side that remains unbeaten at home this season. However it could have been so much better.

Javea approached the game with a long list of injuries and suspensions. Tenacious midfielders Javi and Pablo had to sit in the stands with the fans, both serving a one-match suspensions for accruing five yellow cards. Centre-half Jorge remained injured and, with Julio Iborra still struggling to recover from his own injury, the club had signed centre-half Miguel Ramal from Third Divison side FC Jove Español San Vicente late in the week; he was to have a memorable debut.

Both sides began the match with some flourish but Javea just about edged the possession stats with both Norman, making his first start for the club, and winger Carlo making themselves very useful in attack. However Albatera, unbeaten at home this season, absorbed much of the pressure and applied their own in some confidence. Midway into the first period they had the ball in the back of the net after a well-worked move apparently opened up the Javea defence on the left flank. However the travelling army were relieved to see a flag on the far side and the effort disallowed for offside. Minutes later Albatera hit the post with a free-kick and looked the side more likely to score.

Yet, as the home side began to edge themselves into dominance, it would be Javea who would open the scoring some 35 minutes into the game. The ball was passed quickly through midfield and flicked out wide to Aldo who, in turn, pushed it forward to Puncho. The popular winger sprinted past the defender to the byline and lifted a fine cross across the face of the goal which was met by Alex Cuadrado who simply nodded the ball into the net from close range to put the rojiblancos into the lead.

Albatera responded with a period of intense pressure as the half played out to the break and goalkeeper Ortolá had to be at his very best once again to keep out a succession of chances from the home side, demonstrating clearly why he is regarded as one of the best custodians in the Regional Preferente. It seemed only a matter of time before the inevitable would happen but the rojiblancos held firm until the referee brought the first half to a conclusion.

The second period began with much of the same as Albatera looked for a way back into the game and once again Ortolá needed to be at his very best. However it was a defensive error that would eventually undo the young custodian. Debutant Miguel Ramal made a complete hash of an attempted clearance and the ball broke clear into the path of substitute Pekas who pushed through onto goal. Ortolá advanced quickly off his line and managed the block the initial shot but the ball dropped from height behind him and bounced into the net to afford the home side the equaliser that they had fought so hard to find.

The goal lifted both sides and the noise in the stands grew more intense as both sets of fans encouraged their team. Puncho worked hard down the left-hand flank but couldn't quite work himself into the right position to put in a decisive cross whilst skipper Jose Luis looked to take command in the centre of the park. However it was Albatera who would look most likely to score and in the final quarter of an hour they pushed hard for the winner.

Goalkeeper Ortolá had long claimed the man-of-the-match award but he would put in another succession of very fine saves to keep the rojiblancos in the match. However his defensive line needed to work just as hard to contain the increasing pressure and Manual Ramal would end his debut with a dismissal - and a straight red card - after tripping his man when through on goal; the resultant free-kick was well-saved by the keeper.

The referee brought the game to an end as the two sets of fans joined together for a sing-song in appreciation of their heroes. The JAVEAMIGOS have always had a jovial rapport with Albatera CF and they shook hands with their counterparts at final whistle before heading back to their coach with some relief at having secured at least a point from an exciting game of football.