CD Jávea complete magical “double” over CD Dénia

Monday 5th April 2021 | MIKE SMITH

CD JÁVEA 3-1 CD DÉNIA

CD Jávea has started the second half of the season in the same manner that it began the first, that is with a victory over arch-rivals CD Dénia in a tough game at the municipal stadium, the rojiblancos completing the ‘double’ over the team from ‘over the hill’, meaning that the specific hill can be painted red and white for another season.

The premier Marina Alta derby, aka the ‘Montgó Derbi’, always generates plenty of interest across the region, so much so that the Golsmedia sent a team to provide a live streaming of the clash on their Facebook page. They provided coverage of a fascinating match with all the hallmarks of a derby game, including questionable refereeing decisions, plenty of yellow cards, and even a dismissal.

With last Thursday’s victory over UD Calpe lifting his side into the top three, head coach Diego Miñana was looking for more of the same but with a little more concentration. CD Dénia arrived in 9th spot, having suffered defeat at second-placed UD Tavernes last week, but started the game the more determined to claim boasting rights, dominating the opening few minutes and taking the first chance to open the scoring early in the game, sending a clear message to their hosts; if you want all three points, you’re going to have to raise your game and fight for them.

Yet, for all the domination, it was CD Jávea who would take the lead, leading scorer Juanma Guerrero pouncing on a loose ball rebounding through a melee of bodies to smash home from six yards, his eighth goal of the season. This clearly lifted the confidence of the home side in the face of constant early onslaught and Javi went close to doubling the advantage with a free kick then flew low just wide of the left post with the keeper beaten.

Dénia had been wounded by the opening goal and fought hard to restore a balance, at least on the scoresheet, and former Jávea player Panucci forced home keeper Edu into a save at full-stretch, diving to his left to push the former’s free-kick wide for a corner (which came to nothing, a common theme throughout the game).

And then, on 39 minutes, Jávea scored a second and what a goal it was. The tricky Alvaro picked up the ball in his own half and charged forward, playing a neat one-two pass with Guerrero, and then delightfully chipping three stunned defenders and the goalkeeper from the edge of the area to put the rojiblancos into a 2-0 lead.

As half-time approached, there were opportunities to put the game beyond doubt. Alvaro was proving to be too difficult for Dénia to contain and he was clearly bundled off the ball just outside the area but the referee waved play on. Seconds later Ayoze might have done better to convert a low pass from Guerrero but his shot was well-blocked by the advancing keeper.

On 44 minutes, very much against the run of the play, Dénia pulled on back and it was that man Panucci who would provide some hope for his side. And it all came from Jávea losing the ball in the far corner at the other end of the pitch, the Dénia defence allowed to clear to another former player Faye who charged towards a goal in which Edu was alarmingly exposed, the Jávea defence playing well up the pitch in attack. On the far right, Panucci called for the ball for he was in acres of space, Faye obliged and the tall striker calmly chipped over the advancing keeper to make it 2-1 at half-time.

The second half saw Dénia absolutely dominate the opening 15 minutes and Jávea barely had a chance to touch the ball. Within seconds of the re-start, there was a long speculative shot that went just wide of the goal and a penalty appeal after Jávea’s Paolo appeared to use his arm to control the ball to clear inside the area. Panucci was causing problems and on any other day Faye might have been handed a spot kick when he appeared to be stopped rather clumsily just inside the line. It seemed inevitable that Dénia would eventually force an equaliser.

But gradually, with a bit of a shuffle by head coach Diego Miñana, Jávea worked themselves back into the game, passing the ball well in the middle third of the pitch but falling to find a large enough chink in the defensive armour to take a real chance on goal. But it would come. Substitute Jorrin gave notice of that with a fierce long-distance shot which was well-blocked by the keeper. On 74 minutes, from almost the exact same position, he found the back of the net after some fantastic work from Alvaro in the centre, his inch perfect pass splitting the defence and allowing Jorrin to time his run to perfection before smashing the ball from ten yards to make it 3-1.

It was a tense final ten minutes in which Jávea had to work incredibly hard against intense pressure from CD Dénia. Tempers flared, yellow cards were wielded, both on and off the pitch as those watching from the benches let their emotions get the better of them. But this was a derby game; it was expected. As the clock slowly ticked on, Dénia forced a corner and the resultant kick flies low through a packed goalmouth but Jávea keeper Edu bravely pounces on it. A few moments, he somehow spills a high ball but his defenders are on hand to clear quickly.

Deep into injury time, Jávea might have put the game beyond all doubt but Obele couldn’t quite get his foot on the ball just ten yards out with the Dénia defence all over the place. On 92 minutes, Jávea’s Soler walks off, having secured his second yellow of the game, and Dénia sought to take immediate advantage. Jávea had to fight hard; we’d been here before in previous games, this was not the match to let in a late goal. And they did so. With five additional minutes played, the referee brought an exhilarating game to a close. 3-1 to Jávea. Six points from six against their fierce rivals.

Match Highlights

CD Jávea

C.D. Jávea. Edu, Paco, Aldo (Soler, 65m), Ayoze, Sánchez (Paolo, 22m), Ferran, Javi (Luis Carlos, 45m), Obele, Álvaro, Guerrero (Jorrín, 65m).

Goals: Guerrero 26m, Álvaro 39m, Jorrin, 74m

Yellow Cards: Aldo, Obele, Soler.
Red Card: Soler (two bookable offences)

C.D. Denia. Maxi, Lucas (Gonzalo, 44m), Peña, Ferrán, Carlos Ribes, Pablo (Héctor, 80m), Jaume (Palacios, 75m), Renzo (Juanito, 68m), Nano, Panucci, Faye (Josep, 75m).

Goals: Panucci, 44m

Yellow Cards: Ferrán, Gonazlo, Ribes

Referee:Juan José Ubeda Cuadros