ELCHE DRAW ON TOWARDS PROMOTION!

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Elche 0 Girona 0
Yes, Elche drew goallessly again and no, they didn’t score again, but this was against the team in second place, the form side from Catalonia, near the French border.

Girona are in great form, beating Lugo 4 – 0 last week, whereas the Illicitanos lost last week, only the 5th of the season to third-placed Alcorcon, so all things considered a point gained yesterday was a valuable one in the promotion run-in.

Elche were without stalwart centre back Peligrin who was injured last week, promising young Hector Verdes replacing him. After his suspension last week Suarez replaced Flano, and upfront Angel was suspended for his red card last week, Carles Gil on loan this season from Valencia replacing him: other than that Elche were back at full strength, Mantecon is captain as he is successfully (and rightly) keeping Generelo out of the team.

After last week’s poor performance we might have expected more of the same, but a rejuvenated Elche took the field on a cold, rainy day with the pitch looking soggy.

From the first whistle Elche set about their opponents, and the home side dominated the first half. Coro went close twice, but the nearest Elche got to scoring was a cross shot from Xumetra that went narrowly wide: after a dismal period the Elche right winger is playing much better again.

One of Elche’s most potent weapons this sizzling season has been the inswinging corners and free kicks from full backs Suarez and Albacar, there were no shortages of these but the big Girona defence were well capable of resisting these. The Elche attack is small, lightweight and fast, but lack height, so sharp incisive work on the ground was needed. Apart from a couple of long range efforts the visitors did not looked dangerous at all as the whistle went for half time.

For a short period in the second half it looked like Girona had at last come to life, and Elche goalkeeper Manu Herrera, boss of the meanest defence in the Segunda Liga was on alert, very quickly off his line to thwart dangerous through balls as Girona pressed. But as the rain steadily increased the Franjiverdes weathered the storm and reasserted their superiority.

Fidel on the wide left in particular had a couple of runs in good space, but his final ball is always too casual, he is good but lacks real penetration. In one golden move little Coro stormed clear down the middle and was brought down in the box.

We all held our breath as the ref rushed up, but mildly admonished Coro for appearing to dive, but if we felt aggrieved then five minutes at the other end he did book the Girona striker for a more theatrical dive after a clash with Suarez.

Shrewd tactician and successful Elche coach Fran Escriba began to ring the changes in a valiant attempt to win the game. On came Aaron for Xumetra and Bery Powel for Carles Gil, but the very good ref kept penalising the big Dutchman for elbows etc.

Suddenly the final whistle went and there was a certain relief on both sides, the Illicitanos definitely had the better of the game, played much better than of late – and a point is a point at this crucial state of a long, hard season.

Elche stay top by eight from Alcorcon who beat Xerez 2 – 1, and a crucial nine over today’s opponents Girona for automatic promotion. Six to play – next week’s another big one as Elche are away to Villarreal.

Mucho Elche!

Photos: Kevin Rendall

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/38800/

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