I managed to get back down the coast in time to nip over to the Campo Municipal De Futbol Vicente Garcia Stadium to see Torrevieja against Villarreal.
A few changes to the ground since I last was here, the most noticeable being the installation of the electronic scoreboard and clock - last time we were here there wasn't a clock and the scoreboard was like an old cricket scoreboard - if a goal went in one of the kids would run over and stick the numbers up.
Nice to see a couple of familiar players still in the team also - Jorge, one of the central defenders - number 22 - has been to our house! When we went to Cabo Roig and bought the big concrete BBQ for the solarium, Jorge was one of 3 blokes who delivered it and lugged it up the stairs onto the roof!
Admission to the game is 10 euros for the main ground and 15 euros for a seat in the main stand (VIP area). Kids get in for free - and i think women do also for some reason(?)
The club is still having financial difficulties and manager Casimiro Torres has promoted a few junior players to the squad due to injuries, suspensions and players leaving. The goalkeeper Cristian Mendez left the club, Diego Meijide has signed on loan for Elche for the rest of the season and currently Torrevieja only have 14 players in the first team squad.
That was evident with 20 Villarreal players warming up on the pitch and just 12 Torrevieja players warming up.
The sprinklers were on with 15minutes to kick off, the grass at our local school in the UK is in better nick - very poor playing surface.
As soon as the players came out of the tunnel for the 5pm kick off, the Spanish home supporters behind the goal with the banners started on their megaphones, drums, flags and lighting up their bangers!!
"Vence Por Nosotros, Tu Victoria Es Nuestra Fuerza - Win for us, your victory is our strength"
Villarreal went into this game 8th in the league with Torry in 9th. Both level on 56 points but Villarreal having a better goal difference. They are the leagues highest scorers and have 19 year old Gerard who has scored 26 goals in the 33 games played, with him scoring 8 goals in their last 2 home games. Away from home they have only won 5 out of 17 games, drawn 2 and lost 10.
Torrevieja lined up with Manolo (1) in goal.
Vicente Boix (2) and Rafa (3) right back and left back.
Jorge (22) and Critian Vidal (24) the central defenders.
Midfield consisted of Corella (20), Burguillos (18) and Manu (19).
On the wing were Ramiro (10), Juande (21) and Corcoles (9) up front.
A great game of rough and challenging football with Torrevieja letting Villarreal know they were up for a game with every challenge hard.
After just 10 minutes however, Villarreal's top scorer, Gerard (9) scored, Manolo (1) came out to try and get the ball and it trickled through and over the line to make it 1-nil to Villarreal.
The next 30 minutes was all Torrevieja, I lost count of the number of offsides given but Spanish chants of the equivalent of "you're not fit to referee" and shouts at the linesman to "get some glasses" were ringing from the Torry fans behind the goal.
Then on 39 minutes, Torry had a corner which Ramiro(10) took and Jorge (22) jumped up and scored making the score 1-1.
Just 1 minute later at a brilliant header from Corcoles (9) hit the back of the net and Torry looked like heading into the dressing room 2-1 up. However the linesman waved his new little flag again and the goal was disallowed for offside.
Many of the barmy torry army Spanish fans behind the goal took a dislike to the linesman's opinion and moved around from being the goal onto the side and were hurling all sorts of abuse at him - poor chap - having 7 frenzied spanish blokes about 3 foot away from him in his face giving him all sorts of aggro. Needless to say he spent the last 5 minutes of the first half running the line about a foot in actually on the pitch rather than off on the line and was one of the first down the tunnel when the whistle went for the end of the first half. Wow these spanish are passionate about their football.
For some reason at half time they allow all the kids on the pitch to have a kick about, so for the next 15 minutes there were around 50 kids running around both goalmouths having a kick around - not helping the condition of the grass whatsoever.
The second half kicked off and after just 16 minutes Torrevieja's first substitution was made. Corrella (20) was taken off and replaced by another midfielder, Abel (8).
Then just 5 minutes later and the striker Corcoles (9) was taken off and number 16 came on - 5 foot tall at best and started runs down the right wing with Ramiro (10) and Juande (21) playing more up front.
Another 4 minutes and manager Casimiro Torres made his final substitution taking off Burguillos (18) and bringing on Matias (4) with 20 minutes of the game remaining.
The hooter brigade of brits in the stand were hooting and shouting "C'mon Torry" and the Spanish crazy gang - who'd moved to the back of the other goals at half time - started banging their drums and shouting through their megaphones.
With the clock on 82 minutes, Ramiro (10) has best chance with a free kick but it was saved and it looked like a draw was on the cards.
The 4th official held up 3 minutes additional time and just as he did, Ramiro (10) flicked the ball through the Villarreal defence and Juande (21) stuck the ball in the back of the net.
Final Score Torrevieja 2 Villarreal 1
Torry Army Website and Office
Visit the www.fctorrevieja.net Torry Army website for latest news on the club.
The Torry Army office in San Luis is open Monday to Saturday between 10am and 12:30 and have merchandise for sale.
Results including todays game
Played 34
Won 16
Drawn 11
Lost 7
Goals For 53
Goals Against 30
Next Fixtures
Sun 1-April Away to SC Requena 12noon kick off
Sun 8-April Home to Borriol 5pm kick off
Wed 11-April Away to Castellon Kick off time TBA
Sun 15-April Home to Saguntino 5pm kick off
Torrevieja current 2011/12 Squad list
Goalkeepers
1 Manola
Defenders
2 Vicente Boix
3 Rafa
22 Jorge
24 Vidal
Midfielders
4 Matias
8 Abel
10 Ramiro
18 Burguillos
19 Manu
20 Corella
21 Juande
Strikers
9 Corcoles
17 Victor
