CD Javea 1 El Campello 0

A FOURTH win in succession lifted CD Javea into the top three for the first time since October as the rojiblancos begin to cement their credentials as a potential play-off side. A first-half header from striker Alex Cuadrado sealed maximum points in front of another boisterous crowd in the Municipal Stadium, enjoying the warm late afternoon sunshine. However CD El Campello frustrated all efforts to build on the opening and contained the front-line effectively enough to restrict the home side to a single shot late in the second half. And for the third game in a row, Javea suffered a sending-off when Dani was dismissed for a second bookable offence with minutes remaining; a flurry of cards could see a reduced squad travel down for the top-of-the-table clash against UD Horadada next weekend; centre-half Juanma will miss his first game of the season after picking up his fifth caution. However, if the side continue to demonstrate the will and passion that has seen them surpass all expectations this season, chances are that the rojiblancos might just prevail.

The warm sunshine made a welcome return to football on the Costa Blanca after the overcast chill against CD Almoradi and the persistent rain down in Algueña. Faces, new and old, gathered together to cheer the rojiblancos to victory over a side that had won just two games in little over three months. CD El Campello looked sharp enough, especially in midfield, but it soon became apparent that the game would lack much spark, despite the best effort of the noisy sections of fans gathered in the stand. 

However, the goal that would ultimately win the game was definitely one to be savoured.  The rojiblancos have had a knack of scoring delightful goals this season and there are going to be many contenders for 'goal-of-the-season' come May, including Puncho's wonderful solo effort away at Orihuela B and Javi's recent thunderbolt which won the game down in Algueña. Álex Cuadrado beautifully headed effort midway through the second-half might well be up there at the end of the campaign. Winger Carlo was being afforded plenty of space on the right-hand side and he chased through to drive a perfect cross into the box which was met by the tall striker who diverted it into the net to spark noisy celebrations.

But, for all the congratulations, that would just about be the highlight for the entire game. As usual Ortolá's quick reactions deserve more than a passing mention; the young custodian leapt superbly to palm away to safety a powerful effort from Lauro and he would be on hand to block several other attempts, albeit taken from offside positions. The former Alicante B keeper has strong family links with Jávea - his father is a former president of the club - and his desire for success for CD Javea extends way beyond his area as he directs his colleagues with his usual fervour. Surely it would be only a matter of time before he can claim to be one of the best young keepers around today.

Yet it is tenacious midfielder Rubén Plá who claims the 'man-of-the-match' honour for his determination and drive in the centre of the park. His vision was almost perfect and he sprayed several pinpoint crosses around the pitch and both Puncho and Carlo thrived on that perception. Rubén is in his second spell at CD Javea and his passion for success is as strong as ever as he becomes a firm favourite with the supporters.

The second-half brought little excitement on the pitch, aside from two golden chances afforded to Javi and substitute Norman. The former took far too much time on the ball as he charged into the box when others might have been in a better position whilst Norman was unlucky to have his shot blocked by a defender after finding himself clear late in the second period. As the game drew to a conclusion, El Campello drove forward to claim an equaliser, just as they had done in the first fixture between the two sides back in October. Dani, making his first start for some time as he covered for the injured Jorge, hauled down Lauro as the forward bore down on the Javea goal and was awarded his second caution of the game - and thus became the third rojiblanco to be sent off in three successive games.

With the seconds ticking away, goalscorer Álex Cuadrado was replaced by Canari, making his first appearance for a fair while as he continues his comeback from injury and his return was loudly cheered by the faithful in the stands, forgetting for a moment the nail-biting end to the game. However the visitors were kept at bay by a resilient defence and it was with relief that the home fans greeted the final whistle. It was never a classic game but three points were won by absolute resolve, a victory that would ultimately lift the side into a top three position.

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 UD Horadada, AWAY, SUNDAY 9th March, 4.30pm.

There is an old saying in England, THE LEAGUE TABLE NEVER LIES!

Sunday’s game against El Campello was by no means a ‘classic’ but once again we worked hard and held our nerve to take all 3 points. I have to keep looking at the league, and I am so proud to see us in the top 3 (AND with a game in hand)!
There is still a long way to go, 10 games to be exact, but what the club has achieved this year is little short of a miracle. The players, supporters, and everyone associated with CD Jávea deserve the success we are now enjoying, it has been a huge collective effort and we are not where we are in the league because of any sort of ‘luck’, in fact many times this season we have actually been ‘unlucky’, but there is an inner belief in the team that this could just be our year.

Not just because I am President, but for the PLAYERS, I want them to achieve so much, for Jávea and themselves, they are a fantastic group of lads and ALL of them deserve every success that comes to them. Not one of them has ever let Myself, or the club down, and whatever happens this season I will forever have great memories of the way that they have brought pride back to CD Jávea this season.
Now we take on ‘top of the table’ Horadada and it could just be a classic, or maybe not, because at this stage of the season to me the most important thing is the points!