TORRY VICTORIOUS IN EPIC FRIENDLY

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FC TORREVIEJA – 3 ELCHE CF – 0
Elche were true to their word when they brought a full first team (plus squad players) to Vicente Garcia Stadium last Saturday, for this prestigious friendly between home based div 3 side Torry, and their illustrious La Liga neighbours.

Constant rain failed to dampen the spirits of all concerned, and it is a credit to the players that such a high level of football was in evidence on very slippery conditions.

With Elche having a league free weekend due to world cup priorities, Torry accommodated this match by switching the scheduled home league game against Torre Levante to Mon 9 Sep, ko 6pm. The Torry squad were presented to their supporters under floodlights, before the much anticipated fixture got underway.

Torry got off to a dream start when Obele supplied a peach of an assist to Alberto, who coolly shot home at the near post. Defender Lomban twice came close to equalising, as Elche stepped up a gear with a third of the half gone. Both chances were from corners, the first resulted in his header flying inches wide of the far post, then not long after, another bullet header skimmed the cross bar. Elche threatened again, this time Javi Flores was forced wide by Torry keeper Carrion, thus averting a dangerous situation.

On 21 mins, Gasch forced Elche keeper Tono into palming away his fierce drive, only for Alberto to follow up and convert the rebound. Midway through the half, Aaron collected a pass from Javi Flores, before striking a beauty which rattled the Torry cross bar then bouncing to safety. Although Elche’s Javier Marquez saw his goal bound effort deflected for a corner on 33 mins, the home side were never really threatened for the remainder of the half, and were good value for their half time advantage.

Both sides made changes for the 2nd half, continuing with the same attacking policy as before. Dani Meseguer had a 50th min shot well saved, before the Torry defender went one better 5 mins later. He struck a venomous free kick, some 20 yards out on the right, which eluded everyone before squeezing inside the far post.

Three nil to Torry at this (or any other) stage, was beyond even the most optimist Torry die hard, but believe me, it was thoroughly deserved. Enter Carlos, Torry change of keeper for the new half.

He single handedly prevented magnificent efforts from Boakye, Fidel & Aaron (twice), proving that Torry now have 2 competent custodians of equal ability. Guillem forced Tono into a smart save, but it was Elche who were having the lions share, and thought they’d scored late on, only for an offside flag to dampen their celebrations. Referee Moreno Navarro controlled the game well, but having booked Alberto, Mati & Carrasco, it was a mystery how he failed to brandish a single card in the direction of a visiting player (did I mention that he’s Elche based?).

Torry team: Carrion (Carlos 45), Vicente (Manu 45), Eloy, Alexis (Valdeoliva 45, Adrian 75), Dani Meseguer, Burguillos (Pau 56), Dani Lucas (Mati 56), Alberto (Pastor 45), Gasch (Carrasco 56), Micro (Guillem 56), Obele (Raul 56)

Elche team: Tono, Lomban (Botia 45), Rivera, Aaron (Pruden 85), Mantecon, Boakye, Javi Flores (Anton 68), Javier Marquez, Pelegrin, Generelo (Fidel 79), Domingo Cisma. Unused subs: Jose Carlos, Sapunaru, Albacar

Next weekend, Torry are away at Muro, a game for which Torry Army intend running a coach to. Anyone interested in going, should contact Pat on 966786352.

Photos Kevin Rendall

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/40537/

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