CD JAVEA 3 CD FINESTRAT 1

CD JAVEA turned on the style to secure their first "double" of the season as they recovered their push for a promotion play-off spot. Stormin' Norman scored his first goals for the club since his arrival in December to complement an early opener from Juanito and it was only a bizarre decision from the referee to award a penalty that prevented the rojiblancos from claiming a second successive clean sheet.

CD Finestrat have been in existence for less than a decade and this was their first appearance at Preferente level. Struggling at the wrong end of the table, they had been one of the clear favourites for relegation but had lost just one game in their last five outings to lift themselves briefly out of the drop zone. Yet, despite going a goal behind within six minutes, Finestrat provided strong opposition against the rojiblancos and the game was much better for it.

Javea made their intentions known very early when Juanito nodded wide from the first of a series of superb crosses from winger Puncho. Just minutes later, the striker from Villajoyosa converted a wonderful cross from Carlos Ribes on the other side of the pitch to put the home side into an early lead after some wonderful work from the ever-tenacious Pablo in the centre of the park.

Despite the early setback, Finestrat refused to lie down and allow the home side to bulldoze them into submission and carved out a moment of sustained pressure, forcing a succession of corners as Javea appeared to sit back on their early advantage.

However Javea worked hard to retrieve the early dominance and Stormin' Norman looked lively in the frontline, going close to opening his account for the rojiblancos mid-way through the first half. Puncho was determined to chase what appeared to be a lost cause and found enough time to unload a great cross from the right-hand flank which was met by Norman but his shot was well-blocked by a defender.

The Uruguayan had to wait just a few minutes for the elusive first goal. The rojiblancos worked hard to carve out chances from nothing and, possibly spurred by Puncho's determination moments earlier, Juanito refused to give up and worked to cross the ball from the right-hand edge of the box into a crowded area. Norman's first attempt was well-blocked but the ball dropped nicely for him to make no mistake with a second chance and he blasted the ball across the face of the goal and beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

Norman worked his socks off and would be rewarded ten minutes into the second period with his second - and Javea's third - goal of the game. Once again, some excellent work from Puncho, this time down the left-hand side, resulted in a solid ball through to Juanito but the striker's snatched shot was blocked superbly by the keeper. However Norman was alert enough to pounce on the loose ball and knock it home at the second attempt to put the rojiblancos into a commanding lead.

Much to the surprise of the faithful who had put their fiesta celebrations on hold to attend the game, the exciting Norman was taken off just as he seemed certain to secure a hat-trick, something not achieved by the Javea player for almost three years. The side seemed to lose some of its security and would concede a goal two minutes later when the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors which was duly dispatched to reduce the arrears.

Reduced to ten men with just seconds remaining, Finestrat had nothing left in attack and pulled all its forces back into defence to run out the game. The referee brought the game to a close to secure Javea's first 'double' of the season and the first since a twin victory over Monovar CD two seasons ago.

VIEW FROM THE TOP
CD JÁVEA PRESIDENT MARK CATLIN GIVES HIS FRANK VIEWS ON THE WEEKS EVENTS AT THE CLUB

NEXT GAME: CD Jávea versus Almoradi, Home, SUNDAY 17th February, 4.30pm.

With the greatest respect to Finestrat, after 5 minutes I was confident of victory for us.
Our work-rate and tempo seemed much higher than it was the previous week against Hercules, and for me Finestrat also seemed to allow us more time on the ball than we was allowed last week.

I think due to a combination of both of the above a win for me was always going to be the only result of this game.
Yet again this win topped off a fantastic week across all ages at CD Jávea and at almost all levels and categories the club is continuing to move forward. I can only take a small part of the credit for this, because our staff of around 20, including trainers, coordinator, secretary etc. etc. have worked tirelessly in ensuring that the principles we now practice at CD Jávea, disipline, hard work and pride in our club, have been transmitted onto everyone, from pre-benjamin age group right through, and including, the senior men’s the first team. Everyone can be proud of our achievements so far this season, and we can all be proud of just how highly respected the club now is amongst other clubs in the area.

Almost daily I receive calls from parents, not just at CD Jávea, but from other clubs as well, that tell me stories of how well behaved and professional the club have been when playing at ‘away’ venues the previous week.
Hopefully the foundations have now been laid, not just for success this season but for many seasons to come!