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Shell-shocked Javea travelled back north with a share of the spoils but should have been returning with all three points from an incredible game against Orihuela CF “B”.
The rojiblancos were leading 4-2 at the end of the regulation 90 minutes when the referee added an amazing ten minutes of stoppage time which allowed the home team to rally themselves, apply pressure to a tiring Javea side, and ultimately score twice and level the scores. Players and fans alike were left confused by the amount of time added on and the anguish was made even worse when Pablo was dismissed with a straight red card after a crunching tackle borne out of frustration just seconds before the referee finally brought this amazing game to a conclusion. However, CD Javea now move to within three points of top-placed Altea, who lost at home to Pinoso at the weekend, and continue to stake a leading position in the race for promotion.
The pitch at the barren, windswept Cuidad Deportiva Horchillo, situated a couple of kilometres outside Orihuela, was poor and the modest travelling army that made the long trip south for the midday kick-off sensed that the game just might produce something special. Orihuela B had made an early claim for a play-off spot, having lost just once in the last six games, and were determined to maintain that run.
It was indeed the home side who took the lead after 15 minutes when skipper Toni broke clear, easily beating a poor attempt at an offside trap, and slotted the ball easily past the exposed Ortola. However this season the rojiblancos have not been a side to sit back and they immediately searched for an equaliser which arrived just a few minutes later when a Carlos Ribes free-kick was deflected beyond the reach of goalkeeper Juanjo.
Javea began to take control of the game and should have taken the lead when a free-kick from Puncho was perfectly floated across to Iborra who headed down for Ruben Pla in the area. However the tenacious midfielder could only fire the ball directly at the keeper who used his chest to deflect the ball away. Puncho pounced on the loose ball but his snatched effort was blasted harmlessly well wide on the right-hand post; a flag for offside saved his blushes. Minutes later Puncho, who was creating many problems for the home defence, found himself clear on the left-hand side but blasted his effort just wide of the left upright. And as the half drew to a close, Alex Cuadrado might have put the rojiblancos into the lead were it not for some fortunate blocking from the keeper.
The second-half began with Javea taking complete control and just a few minutes into the second period, they took the inevitable lead, albeit through fortunate circumstances. Keeper Juanjo collected a loose ball and whilst attempting to kick it way down the field, he managed to strike the back of his own defender. Alex Cuadrado was close enough to pounce on the mistake, charge through on goal and fire with great composure past the embarrassed goalkeeper. Three minutes later Javi made it 3-1 to the rojiblancos when he smashed the ball home from close range with the home defence at complete disarray.
Orihuela B looked far from the team that had been in amongst the pace-setters this season. But the drama was only just beginning. Orihuela B started to apply pressure and goalkeeper Ortola needed to be on splendid form to keep out a succession of attempts as the game progressed towards what we all thought might be another three points. Skipper Toni made it 2-3 when he capitalised on some more vacant defending to fire past the keeper from the edge of the area to prompt a nervy finish to the game. Javea looked to complete the rout when Puncho finally got himself on the scoresheet with a superb solo effort in which he ran some 45 yards to fire past the keeper and put the rojiblancos in a commanding 2-4 position.
As the match moved into added time, Orihuela B suddenly had belief and pulled another back through Jose Angel as the Javea defence failed to contain a loose ball in the area. Minutes later, with the away fans calling for the final whistle, Orihiela found themselves back on level terms when substitute Alejandro swiped at another loose ball in the area and it dropped into the back of the net to spark wild celebrations on and off the pitch.
The Javea players were downhearted and frustration got the better of Pablo when he sliced through an opposition player to win himself a straight dismissal and bring a dramatic end to the game. Orihuela left the pitch as if celebrating victory; Javea left as if crushed by defeat. And for a neutral in the small crowd of about 200 it was a splendid game of football. But for those who travelled back up the motorway to Javea, it could have been so much better.
CD Javea: Ortola, Chili, Aldo, Juanma, Iborra, Carlos Ribes (Juanito), Ruben Pla (Jorge), Pablo, Puncho, Javi (Jose Luis), Alex Cuadrado (Dani). This Sunday CD Javea host third place Torrellano CF at the Municipal Stadium in Javea, kick-off 4.30pm. |
