CD Jávea work hard for victory over CF Gandía
Gandia goalkeeper Pablo Coronado had an impressive night, only beaten once but it was enough.
Thursday 25th March 2021 | XÀBIA AL DÍA; translation MIKE SMITH
CD Jávea 1-0 FC Gandía
A penalty from top scorer Juanma Guerrero secured CD Jávea’s first victory since the return of football after the enforced suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic amd kept the side in touch with the top of the table.
Jávea started the better side in this rare midweek night game against CF Gandía and soon had the first chance through Álvaro but his shot was well stopped by visiting custodian Pablo. The first half then moved into a war of attrition to dominate the midfield and create clear scoring opportunities, the next of which was forced by Jávea, a good combination between Guerrero and Ferrán but the latter shot wide. The visitors also went close when Ximo Martínez faced off against keeper Edu but the home custodian stood his ground. Next, a header from Obele was well-saved by Pablo before Jávea finally found the back of the net on 32 minutes when a penalty was awarded for handball and Guerrero smashed the ball home from the spot to make it 1-0.
The second-half continued in the same vein with both sides fighting to claim dominance over the centre of the park. It was Jávea who would have the first chance to double their advantage but Álvaro’s shot hit the post. Minutes later, Gandía might have equalised with a great shot from the edge of the area by Ximo Martínez which was well-saved by Edu. Jávea pushed to put the game beyond doubt and Ayoze had to clear chances to do so but than man between the sticks Pablo was on hand to deny him. The game drew to a tiring conclusion with Gandía, down to ten men after the dismissal of Ramiro, pushing for that equalising goal before the referee brought the encounter to an end.
Three points for CD Jávea means that they maintain their claim for a top three spot, moving to within two points of third-placed Racing Club Benidorm and with a game in hand on all the top three sides, a match that will be played against FC Atlético Benidorm on Wednesday 14th March.
C.D. Jávea: Edu, Ayoze, Toti, Paco, Aldo (Fran, 86m), Javi, Ferrán Molina, Álvaro (Marcos, 86m), Jorrín (Luis Carlos, 61m), Obele (Juan Soler, 67m) y Guerrero.
Gandia CF: Pablo Coronado, Iván Malón, Alex Cortell (Carlos Martínez, 63m), Sellens (Alberto Martí, 75m), Adriá Granell, Ximo Martínez, Salva Martín, Ramiro, Josep Seguí, Amarilla y Giménez.
Goal: 1-0. 31m. Guerrero (pen)
Referee: Carlos Ripoll, assisted by Álvaro Cánovas and Javier Galdón. Yellows shown to Aldo, Obele and Javi ( CD Jávea) Malón, Amarilla (CF Gandía) with Ramiro (CF Gandía) dismissed for two yellows on 83 minutes.
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