ELCHE EDGE THE DRAW AGAINST SANTANDER

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Racing Santander 0 Elche 0
If you didn’t know which team was top, and which one was struggling down in the drop department you’d have got it very wrong on Sunday.

At the hugely impressive El Sardinero stadium in Cantabria, home of the once-mighty Racing Santander and over 1,000 km from the City of Palms, several hundred noisy loyal fans made the long trip amongst the 10,119 crowd.

Elche dropped out-of-form right winger Xumetra for the lively local lad Aaron, otherwise the Franjiverdes were at full strength: they needed to be against this ex-La Liga side who are having big problems and may yet be going down to the regional leagues.

It was half-an-hour into the game before Elche even mounted a real attack, so much in control were the home side. Elche full back Albacar was lucky not to have conceded an early penalty as he clattered into his marker on the edge of the Elche area, fortunately waved away. Illicitano midfielders Rivera and Generelo could not retain possession for long and top strikers Angel and Coro struggled to get any service from Fidel, fiddling aimlessly down the left flank, with not much better from Aaron on the right.

A hopeful lob down the middle saw normally totally-reliable Elche goalie Herrera inexplicably drop the ball at the feet of Quini, but Peligrin was fortunately on hand to sweep the ball to safety. Fidel skied his shot a mile over when put through by Coro in a rare Elche attack, but a thundering shot from former Elche favourite Marti Crespi flashed just past an Elche post as the home side visibly grew in confidence, with Cinco running the show in midfield. Just before half time from a Crespi free kick a Kone header went just wide as Elche hung on for half time – surely Elche could not be so outplayed in the second half?

Well, yes, the Illicitanos did get better, but on the hour Rivera lost a key ball just outside the area. Substitute Juanmi was put clear through by Kone but slid his shot just wide to home groans. With 20 minutes to go Elche coach Escriba began to ring the changes, and at last Elche began to look more like the league leaders they are.

Xumetra came on for Aaron and immediately fluffed a clear chance, he really is suffering at the moment. Elche rode their luck, once more the fabulous defence, who have only conceded 18 goals in 32 matches saw Elche through unbeaten. Although a very long away from home the faithful Elche fans made a considerable noise throughout and were finally rewarded by the point, which in truth the Franjiverdes hardly deserved.

The result saw Elche stay top by the same margin of 12 points, but 13 for automatic promotion. Second-placed Alcorcon also drew at last week’s local losers to Elche, nasty-neighbours Murcia.

In direct contrast to table-topping Elche both local rivals are in trouble: Murcia are 17th , three points behind Guadalajara, Mirandes 18th on 34, with Hercules heading the four-placed drop zone with 33 in 19th place. 20th is unlucky Racing and 21st Huesca both with 32 points: tight! Poor old Xerex are bottom with only 23.

Next weekend Elche are at home on Saturday evening at 8pm to 11th placed Lugo. The Galicians don’t travel well, they’ve won four, drawn four and lost eight away, but have only scored 8 in 16 games: Elche have scored 29 in 15 games at the Martinez Valero. Sound home win? Football doesn’t work like that – ask me Sunday…

Mucho Elche!

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/38426/

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