JEKYLL AND HYDE DISPLAY AS TORRY SLUMP TO SHOCK DEFEAT

CD Torrevieja 0 Ribarroja CF 1

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The corresponding fixture played between the two clubs on a very hot Wednesday evening last September saw Ribarroja inflict the first defeat of the season on CD Torry, one of only 4 victories the Valencia club has achieved in this campaign, so there was even more determination from the home side that they would reverse the early season upset since when Torry has gone on to push hard for promotion while the visitors have tumbled down the table and now stare into the jaws of relegation.

On the club website manager Galiana urged fans to get behind Los Salineros and become the 12th man as the squad attempt to extend their unbeaten run to 7 matches and continue to put pressure on the leaders Castellon entering the final stage of the season.

But as they put the home side under pressure from the early stages of this game the Tercera whipping boys looked more like the Grupo 6 high flyers in the opening period as they played neat, intricate football to try and break Torry down and they were justly rewarded as early as the 7th minute.

Following a direct run to the edge of the area Solves struck a swerving 25 yard shot which beat Oscars full length dive and settled just inside the corner of the net to put the visitors into a rather surprising lead.

The first of Torry’s chances came in the 16th minute, as Adrian’s cross cum shot just eluded the far post of Alfaro in the visitors goal. The midfielder had little support as he surged through the Ribarroja defence.

After last week’s sterling effort on the road, Torrevieja struggled to get out of their own half early on as the visitors easily held their own. Without the creativity of Rafa Gomez in midfield the home side had few ideas and were finding it increasingly difficult to unearth that killer pass.

But Cesar probably should have levelled on the half hour. Having beaten the keeper he just dragged the ball a little too far and as his angle became increasingly acute he could only hit his effort into the side netting.

A 2nd opportunity came for the visitors just prior to the interval when Faus rounded Oscar in the home goal. As his effort looked odds on to find the back of the net the striker turned in celebration only for Ruben to track back and clear the shot off the line.

It was a lifeline that Torry desperately needed. Had they gone further behind at that stage it would probably have been game, set and match to the visitors, but on going in just a goal behind there was still all to play for in the 2nd period.

Fifteen minutes later, team talk done, and the introduction of Torry’s two new signings, striker Pinera and midfield player Corella, we saw not one iota of difference. The home side simply couldn’t deal with Ribarroja’s spoiling tactics. The magnificence of recent weeks was nowhere to be seen. Distribution was awful and they were unable to break in numbers so their sporadic attempts at goal were easily snuffed out by an efficient Ribarroja defence.

Adrian went close in the 54th minute, dropping his effort onto the top of the cross bar, and Jorge headed over minutes later.

And that was about all the home side had to show for their efforts as, despit5e being reduced to 10 men in added time, the visitors cruised to only their 5th win of the season.

Next weekend Torrevieja travel to CF Torry Levante where they will be hoping to show that this Ribarroja defeat is nothing more than a blip in their promotion chasing season and looking ahead to Thursday 5th February, CD Torrevieja entertain Norwegian 2nd Division outfit Lorens Tog in a friendly kicking off at the Vicente Garcia at 7.30pm.

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