CARRASCO MISSED PENALTY PROVES COSTLY

CD UTIEL – 0 CD TORREVIEJA – 0

Following on from their superb opening day div 3 win over Saguntino, Torry head coach Galiana took all his 23 man squad up to the picturesque setting of Utiel, where nothing but a victory was on his agenda.

He elected to field an unchanged starting XI, but chose to make a slight amendment to the bench. In came free from suspension Burguillos, and recently signed Steve Ekedi, who impressed many with his 4 goals in 3 friendly appearances. Torry lined up inside La Celadilla Stadium for the photo shoot, resplendent in their new blue and white shirts, awaiting play to start on a somewhat dodgy artificial pitch.

Utiel’s captain Fer headed off the line after 8 minutes, this from a Sergi effort that appeared to take a deflection. Cristian struck a fierce angled shot, which keeper Alfredo did well to save, as Torry kept up the early pressure. In a half of few chances, Alexis cleared off the line from the home sides first serious attempt on goal after 37 mins, then on the stroke of half time, Cristian failed to trouble the keeper as his effort whizzed past the upright.

With the 2nd half slipping into mediocrity, Galliana brought on Stevie E after 57 mins. Referee Calero had not given Torry’s substitute permission to enter the fray, and ultra officiously cautioned him.

Speaking to Steve post match, he informed me that the club delegado had instructed him go on, but whoever was to blame, this seemingly innocuous error of judgement would later prove to be damaging. The game sprung to life, as home striker Toni flashed a header just wide of the far post, before a training ground movement involving Brani, Steve E and Carrasco, fed Rafa Gomez to blaze a shot over the Utiel crossbar.

When Alexis was hauled down inside the penalty area on 79 mins, the ref didn’t hesitate to award a spot kick. Unfortunately, Carrasco’s kick lacked strength and direction, leaving keeper Alfredo to easily punch away the danger. Even then, Carrasco was given a second bite of the cherry, but his composure abandoned him, as he blazed his shot high into the sky.

A 2nd yellow for Steve E for a late lunge, just about summed up the night, but deep into 4 added minutes of stoppage time, Rafa Gomez just failed to convert an Alexis clearance, with the goal at his mercy. There were also bookings for Vicente, Brani, Cesar and Cristian, whilst Utiel also received 4 yellow cards.

On Weds 3 Sep, ko 8pm, Torry are back at Vicente Garcia Stadium, when they host Muro in another div 3 encounter.

Then next weekend, they make another long journey up to Ribarroja. Check Torry websites for details on dates/times.

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/44737/

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