Home
Inicio

About Us
Peña JAVEAMIGOS

About C.D. Javea
Informacion del Club

Useful Links

Player Statistics 07-08
Plantilla 2007-08

Fixtures & Results 07-08
Calendario 07-08

League Table 07-08
Clasificación 2007-08

Latest Pictures
Galería de Fotos

MATCH REPORT JORNADA 25
Sunday 9th March 2008
UD HORADADA 3 CD JAVEA 1
Author: Mike Smith
Photograph by Fay Hughes

CD JAVEA'S march towards promotion suffered a setback after a comprehensive 3-1 defeat at the hands of league leaders UD Horadada. It was always going to be a tough hurdle for the rojiblancos to overcome, a proper test for the immediate ambitions of the football club, but the task was made even tougher by the absence of resilient centre-halves Juanma, forced to sit out this tough encounter by suspension, and Jorge, still looking to recover from injury. UD Horadada's front line was simply too good for the makeshift defensive line, particularly in the latter stages of the second half when they sealed victory to maintain a seven-point lead at the top of the table and look certain to claim one of the promotion play-off spots to have a chance of an immediate return to the Third Division.

With nine matches still remaining, it already seems a foregone conclusion that goalkeeper Ortolá will claim the player-of-the-season award for the current campaign. His wonderful saves contributed greatly to last season's successful battle to avoid relegation and he continues to pull off a succession of fantastic blocks that have been instrumental in the rojiblancos rise towards the play-off zone. Within minutes of the opening whistle, the young custodian pulled off another incredible reflex save to prevent the home side was taking an early lead and it would take something really special to beat him.

The game was frenetic, worthy of a top-of-the-table clash, with former Portsmouth and Northampton Town utility player Chris Burns defying his 40 years with a number of crunching tackles for the home side.  His assimilation into Spanish lower league football isn't quite complete and his tough style of play confounded players more used to something a little less ruthless. Javi was a particular target; the young midfielder is not exactly renowned for rolling with the punches and his continued desire to fling himself to the ground at every opportunity frustrated both home and away fans. Yet the youngster found enough space to slide a great ball through the defence and into the path of the tricky Puncho, who eased his way into the box before driving the ball low towards goal. His effort was collected well by the keeper as the rojiblancos struggled to get anyone into the box in time.

The game ebbed and flowed from end to end but Horadada gradually claimed the upper hand, exploiting a horrific weakspot down the left-hand side where Rubén Serrio struggled badly. Eventually it would seem that every ball forward would be through the young defender and both Dani and Marcel took advantage of the weakness to open up a series of chances. Goalkeeper Ortolá needed to be on top form and pulled off a stunning one-handed save to tip a chance from Ernesto over the bar. Horadada continued to apply the pressure and would eventually roll the ball into the net, only to find their effort dismissed for offside. As the game approached the midway point, Javea lifted themselves and Carlo was very unlucky not to open the scoring after blasting the ball just wide after some more great work from Puncho.

The second-half opened with just as much energy. The home side pushed for an advantage and eventually found it when Dani beat the offiside to slot the ball coolly past the advancing custodian and wake up the otherwise strangely hushed home crowd. Coach Kenny Brown had to make changes. Alex Cuadrado might have the passion but he struggled to find any effectiveness against the resilient home defence and was to be replaced by Juanito; Carlos Ribes was also brought on for Carlo. The changes almost produced an equaliser within minutes when Ribes floated a cross into the box but Puncho could only head the ball just wide. Ribes had brought a new approach to the game for the rojiblancos and he had a chance himself to cancel out the opener but his shot was unintentionally blocked by Juanito who couldn't get himself out of the way; the rebound fell to Ruben Pla but the midfielder/makeshift defender could only blast the ball into the side-netting.

Javi was becoming more and more frustrated and, it has to be said, frustrating and he would eventually be replaced by Norman. However the rojiblancos went further behind soon after the change when some great work down that weak flank produced a great cross over the reach of Ortolá where the unmarked Ernesto exploited the acres of space he found himself in and was able to send a terrific header over the keeper and into the net to double the advantage for the home side. The goal was class and even Ortolá himself appeared to applaud the effort - or was it a touch of sarcasm to the woeful defending. And then it got worse just minutes later when the Horadada attack demonstrated its clear effectiveness as Ernesto charged easily through the defence to slot home from distance.

The game appeared to be lost but the rojiblancos refused to give up and, with memories of the amazing comeback at Orihuela lurching to the fore, Javea drove forward to try and get themselves back into the game. As the minutes ticked away - and with the voices of the modest travelling army floating across the ground in the strong wind - Carlos Ribes managed to drive home a consolation to reduce the arrears. But there would not be enough time to "do an Orihuela" and the referee brought the game to a close after just three minutes of added time.

CD Javea slip down to fifth position, one point off the play-off zone but still with a game in hand. Preferente football now takes a two-week break for Semana Santa and the season will resume on Sunday 30th March with a home game against Santa Pola CF.