MATCH REPORT | CD Jávea 2-3 CF UE Tavernes

CD Jávea will be playing in the FFCV Primera next season after suffering a heart-breaking home defeat against CF UE Tavernes. The rojiblancos stormed into a 2-0 lead within the opening quarter of an hour through the determined brace from leading scorer José Cabo but the visitors came back in the second-half to snatch to record their third successive win in Jávea and condemn their hosts to relegation, the club’s first for 30 years.

The game kicked off with the knowledge that a win was necessary to keep alive survival hopes into the last round of matches. Results had not gone as expected the previous day with relegation rivals CD Thader, CF La Nucia ‘B’ and Callosa Deportiva all winning their games, which left CD Jávea three points adrift of safety.

Within an quarter of an hour of kick-off, it seemed as if that victory would be assured, striker José Cabo scoring twice in five minutes. The rojiblancos dominated proceedings during the first 45 minutes and the mood during the break was optimistic.

However, Tavernes pulled one back just a minute into the second-half, Vicent Blasco headed home from close range after the home defence was left flat-footed by a long ball into the box from a free-kick on the left side. Jávea fought to take back control but the opposition had made changes which had lifted their game. The home side held on bravely, goalkeeper Tonet picking up several knocks as he challenged for every high ball and through pass.

And then Tavernes shifted into an even higher gear and scored twice in the last ten minutes through Artur Hayrapetyan (82m) and substitute Marc Talens (87m) who has a habit of scoring against the rojiblancos. The home fans shouted loud encouragement as heads dropped on the pitch. But it wasn’t enough. As the referee brought the game to a close, many players in red and white dropped to the ground and the crowd was momentarily silent. The Tavernes players trudged off without too much celebration, knowing that they had just condemned a regular rival to the drop. And then the crowd applauded sympathetically as head coach Julio Ivorra pulled his men to their feet to receive the acknowledgement.

To be honest, it is the inevitable conclusion to a disappointing season. CD Jávea are not a poor team but the new elite Lliga Comunitat has proved to be a difficult step for the club to have taken, especially having scraped into the qualification at the end of last season. There have been signs of something much better lying just below the surface though; the second-half performance against champions CF Benidorm was one of the best I’ve seen for some time which suggests a much better campaign next season.

Head coach Julio Ivorra achieved great things in the second half of the last season, encouraging a group of players lacking confidence into that top 8 position. A year later, he stood silent in the middle of the pitch, hands on his hips, staring into space. The loyal fans applauded his side; the players had tried their best but couldn’t quite get the club over that line. You couldn’t criticise their motivation. However, things just didn’t work out and it will back to the drawing board over the summer to build a side capable of an immediate return.

Next weekend, CD Jávea travel down to Crevillente Deportivo for the final game of the season. Both sides fates have been determined, the hosts having already qualified for the promotion play-offs. And there is a three-horse race for the final play-off spot between CF UD Calpe (away at CF La Nucia ‘B’), CD Olímpic (home to FB Redován CF), and CD Eldense ‘B’ (away at Hércules CF ‘B’).

CD JAVEA: Tonet, Guille, Isaac, Caturla (Buigues, 84m), Cabo, Elian, Mario, Javi (Samson, 83m), Raul García, Pitu, Fran (Bisquert, 57m). Subs not used: Miller (GK), Lautaro, Kenneth, Adrián.

CF UE TAVERNES: Vidal, Palomares, Hayrapetyan, Espi (García, 46m), Vicent Talens (Marc Talens, 67m), Alberola (Ferrando, 77m), Melo (Magraner, 46m), Blasco, Moral (Brines, 84m), Acevedo, Corbolán. Subs not used: Chover (GK).

Scorers:
CD Jávea: Cabo 6m, 11m.
CF UE Tavernes: Blasco 46m; Hayrapetyan 82m; Marc Talens 87m.

Referee: Roberto Manuel Ramíerz Martínez.
Assistants: Mario García Coves & David Pasual Pascual.

Yellow Cards:
CD Jávea: Elian 88m.
CF UE Tavernes: None.

Red Cards:
CD Jávea: None.
CF UE Tavernes: None.