MATCH REPORT | CD JÁVEA 1-3 CF UD CALPE

As the season moves into its final third, CD Jávea’s chances of avoiding relegation from the elite Lliga Comunitat are looking increasingly unlikely as a home defeat to CF UD Calpe leaves the club rock bottom of the table, three points from safety, and with just ten difficult games left.

Yet miracles can happen and all hope should not yet be lost. Head coach Julio Ivorra will need to work even harder to get his squad into the right frame of mind to take on the challenge in the final third of the season. There are some valuable six-pointers to come, starting at Callosa Deportiva next weekend, but there are also a few difficult encounters to overcome, no least being the home visit of David Villa’s CF Benidorm, whose 2-0 win at CF La Nucia “B” put them 13 points clear at the top.

Contrast the fortunes of the rojiblancos with those of close neighbours CF UD Calpe. Former Jávea head coach Lauro Techeira has built a squad that has been one of the surprise packages of the year, pushing for a top three spot for much of the season, although faltering in recent weeks as Crevillente’s mid season form has pushed them out of play-off contention.

On a blustery Sunday lunch-time, it didn’t take long for Calpe to show their credentials, hitting the bar in the opening few minutes before inevitably taking the lead after 11 minutes through former Jávea player Álvaro López. Yet the goal seemed to ignite the home side with both Raúl (blocked) and Cabo (crossbar) having the opportunities to equalise before Pitu found the back of the net on 38 minutes after some great work from Gabriel down the right. The joy was shortlived. A minute later, Calpe restored the lead through Fede to make it 1-2 at half-time and, to make matters worse, veteran midfielder Javi was forced to withdraw through injury.

With the home side playing with the strong wind in the second half, there were hopes of another equaliser but Calpe affected full control of the second period, restricting the rojiblancos to a couple of forays from Gabriel. On 70 minutes, the visitors increased their lead through another former Jávea player Paolo who headed home a corner to make it 1-3. Head coach Julio Ivorra made a number of changes as the clock ticked down to try and get back into the game but even with six minutes added time, the rojiblancos couldn’t find a way through.

Match report compiled with the assistance of Vicente Fornes Catala.

CD JÁVEA: Tonet, Willy (David, 82´), Caturla (Isac, 84´), Obi, Aldo, Raúl (Rodri, 82´), Elián, Pitu (Mario, 66´), Javi (Carlos, 46´), Ifean Gabriel, Cabo. Subs not used: Hales (GK), Fran.

CF UD CALPE: Cassius, Raúl (Guille, 72´), Chaca, David, Rubio (Naim, 66), Pablo, Leider (Coco, 66´), Alvarito, Paolo, Omar, Fede (Oussama, 83´). Subs not used: Cristian (GK), Curti.

Referee: Roberto Manuel Ramirez Martinez.
Assistants: Jorge Juan Fuster & Pablo Francisco Maiz Pastor.

Scorers:
CD Jávea: None.
CF UD Calpe: Álvaro 11′; Fede 39′; Paolo 70′.

Yellow Cards:
CD Jávea: Willy 67′; Javi 73′; Caturla 83′; David 85′.
CF UD Calpe: Paolo 70′.
Red Cards:
CD Jávea: None.
CF UD Calpe: None.