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MATCH REPORT JORNADA 18
Sunday 20th January 2008
PINOSO CF 1 CD JAVEA 0
Author: Mike Smith
Photograph by Fay Hughes

JUST one win in the last six games has seen CD Javea slide slowly away from the promotion play-offs and, although the rojiblancos now have the relative 'luxury' of three home games on the trot to get themselves back in the frame, injury and suspension is likely to reduce the first-team to a bare minimum after winger Carlo limped off at half-time and midfielder Javi was dismissed late in the game after allowing frustration to get the better of him.  Javea probably deserved a draw – just. Both Puncho and Álex Cuadrado had decent chances to score in the first half but their efforts were saved well. Pinoso scored midway through the second-half, adequate reward for all the pressure they applied during the second period. Javea responded by pushing hard for an equaliser but grew increasingly frustrated by the diving antics of the home side and the over-officious young assistant running the line in front of the main stand. Pinoso claimed maximum points to lift themselves to within a point of the play-off zone whilst the rojiblancos slipped to 8th spot.

Cheered on by another excellent turnout, admirable for the relatively long distance to be travelled, CD Javea were up against the pressure right from the start after injury and suspension meant that they would start with another make-shift back-line which included midfielder Rubén Plá. Consequently or not, Pinoso CF having two very decent chances within the opening five minutes and would have been aggrieved not to have taken advantage had the result of the game turned out any different. The first came after some decent work down the right-hand side allowed the home side to open space and afford plenty of time to blast a low ball across the face of the goal. However, as some of the travelling contingent (wrongly) called for offside, Pinoso couldn't quite get a man into the box to meet the low ball. Minutes later, good work down the opposite flank saw the home side's No.8 smash the ball into the side-netting.

Javea eventually brought themselves into the game and Puncho saw a fine 20 yard effort pushed away at full-stretch by the keeper; Norman pounced on the loose ball but his effort was deflected high and wide for a corner. Minutes later Carlo collected on the right flank and charged into the box only for his effort to be blocked well by the custodian. Carlo's enthusiasm down the right wing was creating plenty of problems for Pinoso but, for all his work, nothing much in terms of chances were forthcoming because the front-line didn't seem able to get themselves in the box in enough time to take advantage. Álex Cuadrado was enthusiastic enough to launch himself in a succession of crunching challenges – but still insists on coming out worse – whilst Norman ran himself ragged but with little to feed on.

The game was being played at a hectic pace and often resembled a pin-ball machine as the ball bounced fast and furiously between the players. Skill was at a real premium and all too often the ball was lifted high above the mêlée and into the evening sunshine. There were simply too many misplaced passes – by both sides – as skill eluded the players on a bumpy grass surface. Javi, making a welcome return from a one-match suspension, was full of tricks once again but he couldn't capitalise on such an advantage as Pinoso swamped the young midfielder before he could spin away towards goal. Skipper José Luis constantly encouraged his team and no-one could fault the desire to win the game, a desire that has been evident throughout the season. However the game spluttered through the latter minutes of the opening period with no real chances from either side.

Just before half-time the game suddenly burst into life. A fine shot from Javi was well-blocked by the keeper and the ball broke loose in the box. Álex Cuadrado was quickest to react but his looping header was cleared off the line and cleared. On the visiting bench, substitute Dani smashed his head against the roof of the dugout in premature celebration whilst the travelling army gathered behind clutched their heads in their hands in both disappointment and in sympathy with the young midfielder.

The second-half began with Carlos Ribes replacing a limping Carlo in midfield and the centre of the park briefly looked a little lop-sided before swift adjustments were made to maintain the shape. Yet it was the home side who would start to apply the real pressure. Another excellent save from Ortolá prevented the hosts taking an early lead and Javea initially struggled to get themselves back into the game before they had a golden chance to take the lead. Some decent work from Carlos Ribes on the left flank saw a high ball looped across the field which was met superbly by Puncho in acres of space of the right side of the area but his powerful volley was tipped over the bar superbly by the custodian.

Minutes later Pinoso took the lead. A debatable free-kick was awarded on the left-hand edge of the area and the ball was floated across the face of the goal to be met by a Pinoso head  belonging to centre-half Raúl which diverted it into the net to cheer the modest home crowd which included an enclave of English voices, more ex-pats supporting local football across the region.

And then the fun and games started. The ineffective Álex Cuadrado was replaced by Juanito but not before the latter was apparently booked for prematurely entering the field of play before the assistant could check his boots. No-one could quite see why the young striker was being penalised because the lino hadn't done his job. Yet there was more to come. The visiting bench was becoming increasingly frustrated and director of football Miguel Angel was eventually 'sent off' after the same assistant complained to the referee about what one assumed were nasty words against him.

And there was even more. As Pinoso's players began throwing themselves dramatically to the ground with monotonous regularity, the rojiblancos became more and more frustrated, a problem that got the better of Javi who appeared to retaliate against some boisterous banter with an attempted head-butt. The referee had no option; the young midfielder had to go and even the travelling fans had to agree as they lifted their voices once again to try and spur their heroes towards that elusive equaliser.

With the seconds ticking away, Javea won a free-kick some 25 yards out and Carlos Ribes fired an impressive shot around the wall but the ball was saved well by the custodian. As a gloom descended across the pitch – and amongst the travelling fans – the referee brought the game to a disappointing end. With results elsewhere just about going their way, they are still just four points outside of the play-off zone. However coach Kenny Brown will need to do some more juggling with his ever-decreasing number of players before next weekend's big home game against struggling side Hercules CF "B", kick-off 4.30pm.