MATCH REPORT | CD JÁVEA 2-0 CD THADER

A first win since mid-February and a run of three games unbeaten. That slim chance of avoiding the drop is still alive for CD Jávea after a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers CD Thader, the first “double” of the season.

Wins for Santa Pola CF and CD La Nucia “B” earlier in the day meant that a win was essential for Julio Ivorra’s team to keep alive hopes of salvation. The head coach named his strongest side possible against the team from Rojales which started the weekend just outside the bottom three but was missing the experience of goalkeeper Tonet, central defenders Marcos and Caturla as well as midfielder Javi. Miller Hales made his full debut between the sticks, a young keeper with plenty of promise, whilst Aldo and Fran would provide the experience in front of him.

The first half was finely balanced between two sides eager for points. A few early nervous moments for Hales were soon forgotten and at the other end young striker Pitu tested the opposition keeper with a free kick whilst Cabo and Mario provided a couple of opportunities which tested Thader defence but the final ball remained lacking. It remained 0-0 at the break.

The second-half proved to be one of the best that this Jávea side has played this season, especially once Gabriel was brought on in favour of the labouring Fran, the substitute having bags of skill and strength that worried the opposition defence and almost put the home side in the lead when his cross from the left reached Pitu but the striker’s effort was pushed wide by the keeper.

The opening goal came on 65 minutes and was the result of some woeful defensive play by Thader, the keeper rushing out of his area and making a complete hash of an attempted clearance, allowing Pitu to simply lob the ball over the back line which dropped nicely into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Jávea, the goal standing despite claims from the visiting side that their keeper was fouled in the process, an unsuccessful attempt to cover up a terrible decision from the custodian.

The visitors lifted their game, made a couple of changes, and piled the pressure on the home side, restricting the rojiblancos to counter-attacks. Ivorra sent on Samson with ten minutes to go and his combination with Gabriel proved difficult for the visiting defence to deal with.

And then, deep in injury time, victory was secured with what much surely be the goal of the season. José Cabo, leading scorer last campaign, has not had a productive year with just three goals from 23 games. But his fourth will be talked about long into the summer and beyond. Picking up the ball out on the right side, the young striker tried a powerful shot from 35 yards at an incredibly acute angle, the ball leaving the keeper stranded and nestling into the net beyond him to send the home fans into noisy appreciation. Just a minute later, the referee brought the game to a satisfying conclusion for the home side.

Next scheduled match: Sunday 21st April, t.b.c. – CD Olímpic away

Match report compiled with the assistance of Vicente Fornes Catalá.

CD JAVEA: Miller, Mario, Willy, Isac, Aldo, Fran (Gabriel, 54′), Elián (Samson, 80′), Raúl (Lautaro, 80′), Carlos (David, 63′), Pitu, Cabo. Subs not used: Segio (GK), Obinna.

CD THADER: Chema, Sergy, Yiriba (Yuyo, 63′), Piñón, Serhiy (Cristian, 52′), Lloyd (Alberto, 70′), Juanma (Luis, 70′), Tremiño, Berni, Javi, Dani. Subs not used: Cano (GK), Ramirez.

Referee: Vicente Domenech.
Assistants: Pablo Santarromana Torres & Carles Vicent Adam Castañer.

Scorers:
CD Jávea: Pitu, 65′; Cabo, 90′.
CD Thader: None.

Yellow Cards:
CD Jávea: Gabriel, 68′; Pitu, 85′; Aldo, 88′.
CD Thader: Carcañoa, 69′; Robles, 80′.

Red Cards:
CD Jávea: None.
CD Thader: None.