MATCH PREVIEW: CD JÁVEA vs HÉRCULES CF “B”
Sunday 28th January 2024 · Kickoff: 11.45am · Campo d’Esports Municipal Xàbia
MATCH DETAILS
SUNDAY 28th JANUARY, 11.45am
CD Jávea v Hércules CF “B”
Campo Municipal d’Esports
Camí Mioli Safranera
03730 Xàbia (Alicante)
Referee: Ramón Frágols Sancho
Assistants: Ciara Ortega Gil & Sergi Vivancos Vivancos
CD Jávea pulled off a performance of the season to defeat play-off hopefuls Crevillente Deportivo last Sunday and claim three valuable points in their fight against relegation from the elite Lliga Comunitat. And now they have an opportunity to claim another victory in a consecutive home game for the rojiblancos as the season moves into its second round phase.
Hércules CF “B” will arrive at the Campo d’Esports sitting in mid-table and CD Jávea will be looking to avenge the crushing 2-5 reversal on the opening day of the season against a side which has not recorded a win since the 6-1 home defeat of CD Thader at the end of October. The rojiblancos have gone three games unbeaten since their 0-7 thumping at runaway leaders CF Benidorm. It certainly feels like things are changing since that September day in Alicante.
Speaking to club media, head coach Julio Ivorra confirmed that “the important thing is to add points and gain confidence”, adding that “we have the whole second round ahead of us and nothing is over yet”. He admits that it will be “very difficult” but assured the fans that “we will fight until the end”.
With regards to match preparation, defender Marcos is out with a muscle injury after coming off the pitch last weekend after just two minutes whilst Elián suffered an injury during training on Thursday which the head coach admitted was a real shame because “[he] is possibly at his best at the moment”. Last weekend’s goal scorer Mario was brought off absolutely exhausted during the second half but Ivorra assures that the young player has made a full recovery. “[He] ended up exhausted due to the tremendous effort he put in but he is perfectly fine.”
The head coach also addressed the issue of not playing the experienced midfielder Javi during last weekend’s victory after being admonished by a fan for leaving the 36 year old on the bench. “When one player plays, there is another who can’t. Perhaps we should reproach FIFA for only allowing 11 people to play and another 5 to come on as substitute when we can have 22 players [in the squad].” He added that “everyone will have their moment and contribute to the team”.
THE OPPOSITION
Hércules CF “B” is the reserve side of Hércules CF which currently plays in Group 3 of the Segunda Federación, Step 4 in the Spanish football pyramid. The club, based in the city of Alicante, was officially registered in 1922 and, until very recently, it played much of its football at Primera Divisón and Segunda División. However, a downturn in fortunes has seen the club drop from the top flight in 2010-11 to Step 04 in 2021-22 where it remains to this day.
The reserve side – the “B” side – was formed in 1996 and within ten years it had won its way through the regional leagues to reach the national set-up Tercera División in 2002. However, the club stayed just one season, finishing bottom of the Group 6 table to earn an immediate return to regional football.
Over the next 15 years, the club finished four times in the top three to claim a promotion play-off spot but lost in 2010/11, 2011-12 and 2017/18 before success at the end of the 2018/19 season after they beat CF Recambios Colon 3-1 over two legs in the semi-final and carved out 2-0 victory of Ribarroja CF in the final earned them a return to the national league system.
The pandemic saw reduced leagues and a restructuring of the national pyramid which saw Hércules CF “B” dropping to a new Step 5 Tercera Federación for the 2021-22 season before finishing bottom at the end of the 2022-23 season to return to the regional system, although as founder member of the new Lliga Comunitat.
Played for Both Teams
Juan Manuel Guerrero (2019-2021 CD Jávea 46 apps, 27 goals)
On Sunday, Deportivo Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera will be in attendance. The 27-year-old was born in Xàbia and played for CD Jávea at youth level before his potential was spotted and he developed his skill between the sticks at the youth academies at Hércules CF “B” and Valencia CF whilst also being selected to represent Spain at youth levels where he was part of the two European Championship winning sides in 2015 (U-19 Greece) and 2019 (Under 21 Italy). In 2016 he was selected as part of the Once de Oro of the Fútbol Draft, an initiative to promote talented youth players in Spain. He joined Deportivo Alavés in 2017 and, aside from a loan spell at UD Almería, he has remained at the Basque club ever since.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The last time we met
09/09/2023 – Hércules CF “B” 5-2 CD Jávea
MATCH REPORT
CD Jávea’s debut in the inaugural season of the elite Lliga Comunitat didn’t quite go to plan as the rojiblancos fell to heavy defeat in Alicante against Hércules CF “B”, who were relegated from the Tercera División at the end of last season.
THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES
Saturday 27th January 2024
16:00 – CD Eldense “B” v CD Dénia
16:00 – L’Ollería CF v CD Olímpic
16:30 – CF Independiente Alicante v Crevillente Deportivo
Sunday 28th January 2024
11:30 – CD Thader v Santa Pola CF
11:30 – FB Redován CF v CF Benidorm
11:45 – CD Jávea v Hércules CF “B”
16:45 – CF UD Calpe v CF UE Tavernes
17:30 – Callosa Deportiva CF v CF La Nucia “B”
References
- CD Jávea maintain top half position in table after goalless draw – javeamigos.com
