Five mad minutes seals Jávea fate in Ontinyent
CD Javea suffers second defeat in succession as the top of the table becomes more congested.
Monday 22nd November 2021 – XÀBIA AL DÍA with Mike Smith
CF ONTINYENT CF 2-1 CD JÁVEA
CD Jávea drop down to fourth place after suffering their second successive defeat of the season which, after CF UE Tavernes also losing their home game against a powerful CF Gandia side, means that that Group IV table has a very different look about it than just a couple of weeks ago when it seemed the two teams would dominate the season.
Ontinyent CF 1931 are a phoenix club. Just two years ago, CD Ontinyent was competing in the third tier of the Spanish football pyramid before being forced out of business through bankruptcy in February 2021. Ontinyent CF 1931 had already emerged to carry the torch for the city and won the Primera Regional Group VIII last season to win promotion to the Regional Preferente. Placed in Group IV alongside CD Jávea, the side from Vall d’Albaida were placed amongst the favourites for promotion at the beginning of the season and, with more than 1,000 socios committed to their mission, the trip inland on a wet Saturday evening was always going to be difficult.
Things were made even more difficult for Jávea just six minutes into the game when leading scorer Carlos Quintana was forced to withdraw on his return after injury, replaced by young striker José Cabo. However, it is the strength of the side that head coach Manuel Esteban has brought together that Jávea rallied and Fran, Javi and then Tali forced the home keeper into a succession of crucial saves, the latter forcing Popov to push a fine shot over the bar.
The opening 30 minutes belonged to Jávea and they eventually forced an opening through Javi, the veteran midfielder’s powerful shot beating Popov from the narrowest of angles to put the visitors in front. Encourage by around 1,000 fans in the stands, the home side reacted and made young goalkeeper Josep Ivars work hard between the sticks, the most notably save being from Pablo Francés. However, Jávea had their chance to double the advantage just before the break when Marcos Bisquert skimmed the crossbar. And they held on to lead at half-time.
The second-half started badly for CD Jávea when the home side equalised through Pablo Francés just seconds after kick-off and then a penalty awarded on 54 minutes was converted by Matías Aquino to put Ontinyent into the lead. Jávea fought to get back into the game, substitute Rubén Ortolá heading just wide before both Héctor and Juli had chances denied by the home keeper. With five minutes added on, Jávea continued to push but the clock ticked on quickly and the final whistle arrived to the delight of the large home crowd.
The result sees Ontinyent leapfrog over Jávea into second spot whilst a 2-1 away win at Tavernes sees CF Gandia take top spot. CD Jávea slip to fourth, three points off the leaders. Next weekend, they face another big test when fierce rivals CD Dénia, currently sitting in sixth spot and two points behind Jávea, arrive in town for the premier Marina Alta derby. With CD Jávea hosting league leaders CF Gandia the following weekend, the next couple of weeks will set the tone for the rest of the season for the rojiblancos.
Ontinyent 1931 CF. Papov, Saez, Torma, Pribeagu (Reig, 65m), Osoro, Aquino, Felipe (Fuentes, 65m), Francés (Cambra, 81m), García (Peiro, 81m), Bella, Quilis. Subs not used: García (GK), Cid, Sanchis.
CD Jávea. Ivars, Llamas (Pareja, 65m), Castells, Marcos (Elian, 65m), Quintana (Cabo, 6m), Javi (Caturla, 80m), Muñoz, Tali, Ayala, Héctor, Corbalan (Ortolá, 80m).
Referee: Francisco José Oliver López.
Assistant Referees: Adrian Arcas & Alex Francisco Migallon.
Yellow Cards:
16m – Francés (Ontinyent 1931 CF)
26m – Bella (Ontinyent 1931 CF)
53m – Llamas (CD Jávea)
62m – Oulis (Ontinyent 1931 CF)
77m – Castells (CD Jávea)
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