FC Torrevieja Matchday program Day 1

Matchday Torry Vol. 1. No. 1

FC Torrevieja VS

Crevillente Deportivo Sunday, September 2, 2012 Estadio Vicente Garcia Tercera Group 6

Official Sponsor Patrocinador Oficial

Price !2.00

Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja

Greetings from Eduardo Dolón Sánchez Mayor of Torrevieja I'd like to extend my welcome to all fans attending the first game of the 2012-2013 season, to the "Vicente García" Stadium., which begins with great hopes for the future that FC Torrevieja deserves.

I know the team's commitment and willingness to win while providing a sporting exhibition deserves your unconditional support.

We have a great coach in Casimiro Torres, a dedicated Board, led by President Vicente Boix, plus all the energy and vitality of the members of the Torry Army and the Frente Salinero, who do not hesitate to follow and cheer on the team, who can feel the strength of this support from the stands.

Everything is ready for this season to reach our goals and enjoy each game, making the sport a time for meeting up and good fun.

Naturally, the City Council, and especially the Department of Sports, are part of this exciting project and would like to thank all the members of the great local football family for your participation.

I hope to be with you at a lot of games and ... win!

Eduardo Dolón Sánchez Alcalde de Torrevieja 2

Saluda del Eduardo Dolón Sánchez Alcalde de Torrevieja Mi bienvenida al Estadio ”Vicente García” a todos los aficionados asistentes a este primer partido de la temporada 2012-2013, que iniciamos con la gran ilusión que merece nuestro Torrevieja C.F. Me consta el compromiso del equipo y sus ganas de trabajar y ofrecer el espectáculo deportivo que merece su incondicional afición.

Contamos con un magnífico entrenador, Casimiro Torres, una incondicional Junta Directiva, liderada por su Presidente Vicente Boix, y toda la energía y vitalidad de los componentes del Torry Army y del Frente Salinero que no dudan en acompañar y jalear al equipo para que sientan desde la grada la fuerza de sus seguidores.

Todo está preparado para una temporada en la que superemos metas, y disfrutemos de cada partido, haciendo del deporte un tiempo de encuentro y sana diversión.

Naturalmente, este Ayuntamiento, y especialmente la Concejalía de Deportes, participa de este ilusionante proyecto y quiere agradecer a todos los componentes de la gran familia del deporte futbolístico local su participación.

Espero poder acompañaros en muchos partidos y… a ganar!

Eduardo Dolón Sánchez Alcalde de Torrevieja 3

View from the Director's Box Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to the Vicente Garcia for what we hope will prove to be a promotion winning season. It is great to be playing here and not across the way on the artificial surface of the Nelson Mandela, which looked quite likely for a while. However, there has been much work put in to the ground and although it will never be a pristine playing field, we will make our best endeavours so it is the best it can be.

We hope today to pick up where we left off last season, with entertaining and winning football. We have bade farewell to some old friends, most notably Ramiro, who has elected to play his football on the island of Ibiza and he has our best wishes. Corella left, choosing division 2B football with Yeclano and we similarly send him our best wishes for a successful season. Young Damian Aguero, the fifteen year old who debuted for the team against Mislata in May, has moved to the capital and now is under the the tutorage of Atletico Madrid. He too enjoys our support and we hope to hear more about him in a glittering future.

We have brought in some exceptional talent, including last season's group six player of the year, Ernesto, who joins us from champions, Catarroja. He is supplemented with an array of talent, including Dani, Pedro Lopez, Inarejos, Luis Carlos and Gasch. These will soon become familiar names and faces to you, though maybe just shirt numbers for a week or two!

We also welcome back TM as our principal sponsors and are delighted that they wish to be working with us for a further season. We hope their patronage sees them enjoy great success as we aim to make the charge to 2B under their "shirt". Coys Cars is once more a key sponsor of the club and we again thank Mike Haynes for this much appreciated support. To everyone who buys a season ticket, sponsors a player or takes an ad in the match day programme, we say a very big thank you and hope with your encouragement we will make this a memorable season.

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The 3-1 away win at Acero was a strong opening to this long hard slog of 42 league matches and it came at a price, with the team picking up no less than 7 cautions, including two for Cuco Ros, who misses today's game through suspension. The squad know that they must eliminate such admonishments, but like most things, it is easier said than done, especially when vociferous home supporters try to influence referees. We hope today's match officials enjoy the game and have the respect of all players through the encounter.

Here's to 2012/13 which we meet with enthusiasm and hope. We trust it will be a season of great football and terrific excitement, but no more than the heart can withstand. Thank you for being here and being a part of the wonder of it all.

The Team at FC Torrevieja.

Sponsorship & Advertising Matchday Sponsorship & Advertising packages 2012/2013 Match Ball sponsorship cost 75 Euro which gives you: Signed match ball by the team Presentation picture Write up in Match programme and on website 2 tickets to that sponsored match Player sponsorship costs 75 Euros and you get: Signed shirt from your sponsored or favourite player Photo of you and your favourite player Your name or company logo with photo of sponsored player in ALL Match programmes Monthly Match programme advertising costs between €20 – 60 Full page ad (€60), half page ad (€40 ) quarter page ad (€20) If any of these interest you, please contact Jeff Scott on 966 677 634 or 660 274 532 / email him: jeff53ref@yahoo.co.uk 5

THE TORRY ARMY Proud to Support FC Torrevieja Most of you will be aware of the existence of the “Torry Army�, the long established international supporters club of FC Torrevieja. It has been around for a good few years now and like the football club and indeed most football clubs has been through turbulent times and had its fair share of ups and downs. Its path has more or less followed that of the football club and its support base. From its inception it got bigger and bigger in line with the influx of ex-pats to the Torrevieja area and has since diminished in numbers as the movement of ex-pats has reversed with more going back to the UK than upping sticks and moving to Spain.

It has survived, albeit with fewer members and is in a relatively healthy state. It is no longer in a position to support the football club financially as it did in the past but is still most certainly 100 % behind the football club and will support and promote it in any way it can.

It has a social side to it and arranges quiz-nights, lunches and the odd day trip as well as having a Christmas Dinner with entertainment which is being arranged now.

The current Torry Army Committee is made up of the following:Chairman: Arthur Leviers Treasurer: Derek Clarken Membership: Mick Drew Merchandise: Geoff Harvey Website/Media: Darryll Wright Committee Member: Paddy Ramos If you are not a member of the Torry Army please consider becoming one. It only costs 5 euros and when you join you will be given a small free gift.

At home games, the Torry Army have a stall at the entrance to the ground selling Football Club Shirts and Torry Army merchandise. Mick and Paddy also run the match day raffle for the football club with all profits going into the football club coffers.

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It has a shop/office, on the left, as one enters San Luis. This is open from 10.00 am until noon. Monday to Friday and is manned by volunteers from the Torry Army – Committee members Mick, Paddy and Derek, Pat Stewart plus Maureen and Sandra. .

At the office you can:Become a Torry Army member Buy a Football Club season ticket Become a Football Club Socio Buy a FC Torrevieja Home or Away shirt Buy Torry Army merchandise; bobble hat, cap, scarf, polo shirt , sweatshirt , fleece, pen, mug, flask, clock, purse and much more Book a place on the coach to away matches.

Buy a ticket for Torry Army run social events; Quiz-nights, Hoggies Bar lunches, Day trips to places of interest Borrow a book from the second-hand book lending library Pick up Town Hall information on up and coming social events You will be welcomed with a smile and may even be offered a cuppa or a soft drink!

The Torry Army will be running a coach to the away game at Novelda next Sunday 9 September. The kick-off is likely to be 6.00 pm. If you would like to book a place please do so in person at the Torry Army stall at the ground today or at the Torry Army Office during opening hours next week or ring Pat Stewart on 966786352 or 688698894.

The Torry Army also plan to run a coach to the following away game at Denia on Saturday/Sunday 29/30 September but plan to make a day of it and allow a few hours leisure time on the beachfront of Denia before going to the game.

Finally the Torry Army will be awarding a bottle of Bubbly to the “Player of the Month” throughout the season and are kindly sponsored by PINADA BLINDS, QUESADA FISH & CHIPS (Quesada & Villamartin Plaza), THE SPICE HUT (Quesada), THE HIRE CENTRE (San Luis), THE BLACK BULL (El Chapparel), HOGGIES BAR (San Luis), ELVIRAS RESTAURANT (San Luis).

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Today's Visitors: Crevillente Deportivos: Today's Visitors Crevillente Deportivo was founded in 1967 and is currently FC Torrevieja's nearest neighbours in group six. So their visit today constitutes the closest we have to a local derby game. They boast three former Torry players in their current squad, namely Dani Mesenguer, Micro and Carrasco.

They finished in 16th place in the group last season, just two above the drop zone but are seeking to return to former glory years. They made the play-offs for 2B in consecutive years in the early nineties, but have struggled since, only returning to division three in 2006/07, with a best placed 7th under John Clarkson two years ago. This season marks their 16th in total in the third division.

All three former Torry men starred in their thrilling 3-3 draw with Novelda last weekend, going behind early, but leading twice in the second period. Carrasco got on the scoresheet on his competitive debut for them in that match and Jorge and company know only too well that he must be contained today, as he can easily be a match winner.

Crevillente is not regarded as one of the leading contenders for promotion this term, but it would be unwise to underestimate their ability or determination. Since both teams have met in division three (since 2006/07) Crevillente has come to the Vicente Garcia and managed a draw in half those contests, Torry taking the other three. Last season's corresponding fixture saw a 2-0 win for Torry, with Juande and Petu scoring second half goals to give Torry the points.

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TERCERA DIVISIÓN: Grupo 6

Glossary: PJ - Played / PG - Won / PE - Draw / PP - Lost / GF - Goals For / GC - Goals Against / DG - Goal Difference / Pt - points

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TERCERA DIVISIĂ“N: Grupo 6

28 goals in week one matches Week one of group six was spread out over three days with Elche Ilicitano playing Villarreal C on Monday night. That game finished two nil to Villarreal C, making it seven winners on week one and eight other sides who avoided defeat. The other "new" teams in the division fared very well overall. Promoted Utiel visited champions Catarroja and took all three points from the fortress Mundial 82. They led 2-0 until an 89th minute home strike made the last few minutes tense and hectic.

Fernando opened the scoring against his former club and Utiel were worthy winners.

In sweltering heat and playing on long grass, Burianna netted three second half goals to swagger home 3-0 winners in their tie with Jove.

A brace for Vicen before he was subbed allowed the home striker a standing ovation. Llosa just avoided the drop last term, owing much to a gifted 3-0 win when Castellon failed to play them in a protest non show. They kicked off this time with a real 3-0 win against the usually tough Saguntino. Speaking of Castellon, they kicked off at Borriol in 90 degree heat and scored an early goal to lead at the break. Borriol deservedly equalised mid way through the second half with a Victor Albalat strike to share the points.

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Fans were treated to a six goal thriller in the local derby between Crevillente and Novelda, Torry's next two opponents. Former Torry man Dani Mesenguer missed a penalty on 21 minutes before Perales gave Novelda the lead with his first of a hat-trick. Carrasco equalised for his new club to level it before the interval. Novelda then came twice from behind to take a share of the spoils.Orihuela couldn't find a way through at Eldense and let the group average down in terms of goals.

Good news for Diego Meijide who helped his new club kick off with a clean sheet, but a disappointing start for last season's 2B runners up, who still hope to return to that division once exhausting the appeals and legal processes.The final decision will be made tomorrow (Monday 3 September) and if in favour of Orihuela will throw both 2B group 3 and our own group into a mess.

La Nucia and Gandia will be expected to play a significant role in the determination of play off contenders, but neither did themselves an early boost, also failing to find their opponents goal, though Petu went close on the half hour with a header just over the bar.

In the anticipated match of the day, last year's 3rd played 4th, with Muro coming out on top by two goals without reply. Having had a taste of promotion knockout football, seems Muro intend to be there again and clearly prove a tough nut to crack. You may recall, Muro was the only team to complete the league double over Torry last term. A penalty in each half won them the match with Alzira reduced to ten men with a quarter of an hour to go and only the one goal down.

Denia were away winners at Ribarroja by 2-1 and will be determined to bounce back to 2B at the first time of asking. They went one down after 53 minutes, but immediately struck back to level within sixty seconds. Michael notched their winner with six minutes remaining.

And finally, just out of interest, John Clarkson, now in charge of 2B outfit, Ontinyent, left the island of Mallorca with a point on his first excursion into higher league football. Both goals were second half own goals in a 1-1 draw, but John's boys emulated Torry, picking up seven individual cautions!

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FC Torrevieja Sponsorship Info To help support your favourite local football team, why not take part in one of our sponsorship schemes.

Match Day Ball €75.

Sponsor a match day ball and receive a ball signed by the entire team (either a full size 5 Ball of mini-display ball - your choice) plus your photo in the program.

Sponsor a Player €75 A few players are still available for sponsorship. You will have your name featured underneath the photo of your chosen player in all match day programs, a signed photo with the player of your choice, and a signed shirt from your favourite player, which does not have to be your sponsored player.

Replica Home and Away shirts are available for purchase at €25 each.

Please ask Jeff Scott about other sponsorship opportunities.

We also have a new range of official club merchandise, fun items, personalised mugs, TShirts, cushions, mouse pads, pens, that will be offered from our new Media & Event Centre. More news to follow.

MATCH BALL SPONSORS September 3, 2012 The Torry Army 15

FC TORREVIEJA

1 Manolo Di Scott

2 Vicente Coys Cars

10 Ernesto

11 Inarejos Steve Dumbarton

20 Gasch Stuart Dellow

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21 Patri Brandon Nicol

3 Rafa Brian Phillips

12 Alex Reginald Dwight

22 Jorge Paddy Ramos

4 Sergio Jeff Scott

14 Josemi Jan & Dave Colston

23 Jose Manuel Eilleen Edwards

SEASON 2012/13

5 Pedro Ricos Park of Nations

16 Manu Amores Aileen Lahney Hilary Wilson

25 Tur Calvin Broodus

6 Dani Leon Vista31.com

7 Cuco Ros SJ&A Digit.all

17 Luis Carlos Mick Drew

18 Burguillos Hoggies

00 Bauti Cafe Torry

Ast.Manager Carlos

8 Abel Pat & Alex

Stewart

19 Fran Richard Starkey

Manager Casimiro

Players & Sponsors 17

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FC Torrevieja Squad training for today's game

00 Bauti Cafe Torry

19 Fran Richard Starkey 19

The Working of FC Torrevieja Teams, Management and Future Prospects The Workings of FC Torrevieja FC Torrevieja is currently run by a Junta Gestora, which is essentially a temporary committee. In the summer the paid up members of the club - the socios - held an AGM and voted Vicente Boix as the President of the club, Propsero the club Secretary and Jefferson Scott as the club Treasurer. The President also has the authority to ask others to join the temporary team if he feels they will work for the benefit of the club. This season he has brought in Marcos Fernandez Rubio to seek sponsorship and advertising funds from the Spanish community and Keith Nicol as Marketing and Promotions director to try and increase the fan base. Keith is hard at work with the radio and press to secure maximum exposure for the club as well as planning concerts and musical events designed to add to the coffers of the club.

Junta Gestora This Junta Gestora has a mandate to operate for a year, so those fully paid up socios will be called on again for a meeting next May/June, where they will once again select a President and board of Directors, as well as examining the financial records of the club and agreeing to a budget for the following season.

Socios It costs 50 Euros to become a socio, but only 20 Euros to renew membership annually. Memberships for this season 2012/13 closes on 30 September, so anyone wishing to renew this or any new members wishing to join, need to see the Treasurer before that date. It is likely that the next AGM will be to elect the President and the Board for a four year tenure.

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Torrevieja CF The Torrevieja CF team is often referred to as the reserve team to FC Torrevieja, but this is not the case. They are separate clubs, albeit with extremely close links to each other. The CF team were once the top side of the town and made it to division 2B status, before debts destroyed their existence and they re-emerged in the lowest level, Regional 2. They gained promotion the season before last and now play in Regional 1. Casimiro Torres works closely with the CF manager and they talk about developing players from this side and younger teams within the town, such as with Damian Aguero; they invite some promising talents to train with the senior team.

The club registers players and technical staff with the Federation before the start of the season and these are the only players allowed to play for the club, although if it proved necessary, then the manager would be able to call on some registered players from CF team if he found himself short of first team player personnel. Hence it is easy to see why this CF team is considered a reserve side for FC torrevieja.

The Federation acknowledges these players as registered to play in their league system and regards them as eligible to "move up" and play for the top side.

Directors All the directors at the club are unpaid volunteers and the club is always seeking to add informally to the "workforce" in trying to improve attendances, bring in extra sponsorships and revenues, as well as helping out Keith with the special events that he is planning.

The two supporters clubs, as well as a number of individuals, do a lot of work for the club, which is greatly appreciated. The club has a long way to go to be a "professional" club, but it will be the efforts of those supporting it in every way that they are able that will bring about this necessary transformation and assist the club move to higher league football, which is a clear and stated intention.

If you would like to become more involved or have an idea that the club could explore, please contact us to discuss.

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Ramiro Gonzรกlez Romero

As exciting as it is, this being the first home league game of the new season, it is tinged with sadness in that the elected captain for this season, Ramiro Gonzรกlez Romero will not be leading the team out.

Instead he will be on the fun filled island of Ibiza playing for SCR Pena Deportiva against CE Felannitx. "Rammy" has been a much loved favourite at the Vicente Garcia since 2004, as a spritely and charismatic 21 year old. After two seasons with the Salineros he headed a little north to further his career with Jove Espanol. It was not a distinguished tenure as Jove retained their division three status, but only managed a 16th place finish.

His 'home town' beckoned him back and in the summer of 2007 he returned a stronger and more determined player, focussed on helping his beloved Salineros to loftier realms. That first season back was a tough one with the team struggling for stability and form and themselves just managing to keep above the relegation teams. The following season, however, it was all systems go, with the side having a phenomenal run from the turn of the year and getting into the play off matches for promotion.

A win over Haro Deportivo in the first leg match at the Vicente Garcia suggested that progress to the next stage was more than possible. It proved to be a bitter disappointment for all concerned as the hosts turned around the deficit to win 2-0 and 2-1 on aggregate. That was a long and quiet coach journey back from the beautiful but stinging Rioja region. Ramiro was one of the first players asked to re-sign and did so with relish. He was a guiding light in the tumultuous years that followed as the club lurched from one crisis to another, with over spending at the heart of the problem, as presidents and managers sought to bring glory to the town.

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Rammy will be remembered for many things. He won leading goalscorer one year and became the team's first choice spot kick taker.

He was inventive on the park, capable of taking players on and skinning them down the flanks. He was superb with corners and crosses, pinpointing his deliveries just where they caused most consternation for defences.

After the sad loss of tireless Torry Army worker Shirley Parrish, Ramiro scored a breath taking goal and then rushed to the stand where her family were present and looking to the skies, spread his arms and said "that one was for you, Shirley". It was hard not to have a tear in the eye that day.

The dynamic number ten has an infectious smile and a winning personality. He is as much loved off the pitch as on it and only this season was active in introducing the half season ticket, to try and help fans spread the cost of this purchase. He also had ideas about making it easier and cost effective for the club with relation to players' family tickets. He also took a batch of season tickets to sell personally on behalf of the club.

He was gifted on the park and a loveable ambassador off it. He will undoubtedly become a firm favourite with the fans of his new club and as much as we will miss him, we wish him every success.

Good luck Rammy and thanks for the memories.

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Football Funny Memories Now that my football career has long gone, even though the boots are still accessible in case of an emergency or a request from the local museum, I would like to share memories of what is currently the best game I played in. I say currently, as like most of us, my mind is likely to change depending on the mood I'm in, but this one sticks in the brain like the proverbial to the blanket and is my favourite for classic reasons, namely the good guys won and the cheats didn't prosper.

I cast my mind back to a routine game in a local junior league, we were away to a team known to have a physical approach, their motto being "per ardua ad astra" which they thought meant "kick his a*** harder".

Due to the shortage of official referees at that level we often had to play with a volunteer referee. Our hosts were based in one of the rougher parts of 1980's Belfast and that gives a clue as to why we didn't protest when they "offered" to provide a ref.

Our unvoiced concerns were confirmed when during their first attack their winger ran the ball out and chipped it to our keeper for a goal kick.

Unfortunately our centre-back, yes we had them in those days as well, caught it and the ref gave a penalty to the genuine amazement of all 22 players. There wasn't much of a crowd which was good as we were already outnumbered by one. We didn't know whether to laugh or cry when our keeper pulled off a great save from the spot kick.

We actually had the stupidity to go down the other end and score, the ref probably thought it would only be a consolation so didn't bother disallowing it. We silently resolved [silently because we didn't want to annoy them], to do our best to carry on playing football in the sure knowledge that fouls, bad decisions and the eventual result would all go against us. We battled, I use the word advisedly, through to half time and amazingly were still holding on to that slender lead. A hushed halftime team talk, held on the pitch as was the norm in that league, confirmed our strategy for the second half - we were to do our best, not react to provocation and run like hell to the cars at the end!

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We would forego our customary post-match drink and then shower when we got home! They on the other hand were loudly proclaiming their intention to "get stuck in" during the second half, apparently they had been too easy on us up to now. This was news to us, particularly those eleven of us with the beginnings of multiple bruising.

Somehow we held out until the 90 minutes were up, by a combination of dogged play and poor finishing on their part. The referee seemed determined to play on until a winner was scored, by the home team of course, and so we unwittingly took part in a trial for what later became known as Fergie time. We spoiled the party by securing the win in the 98th minute. There was some irony in that because if the ref had stopped play to allow treatment to our injured players there would have been at least that much time to add. After another few minutes the ref blew the final whistle, I think he had realised it was "one of those days" and there was always the return match when they could give us a real kicking.

We had completed the first part of our plan and managed the second, running to the cars, without mishap. I have to report that we drove a safe distance to a friendly pub and had a well earned drink. The barmaid was very understanding about our appearance, or maybe she liked the look of 11 reasonably fit young men in shorts.

In the interests of personal safety, you never know who reads this stuff, I will not divulge the name the teams involved. Our opposition may not have long memories, but they did have long arms [their knuckles trailed along the ground] so it is best to take no chances. We got our satisfaction by writing to the league and advising them that we wouldn't play that team again without an official referee. We duly beat them 4-2 in the return league game, well officiated, and were delighted to hear that following several complaints the team was expelled from the league at the end of the season.

I do love a happy ending, especially when it is true!

Jeff Scott

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NOT lost in Translation!

We live in Spain and support a Spanish football team. Sometimes there is a language barrier - most frustrating when you really want to tell a player that "he is a tube"! But there is a breed that speaks it's own language - the football agent. In the interests of alerting any Torry scout of falling foul of such incomprehension, here is a brief interpretation of some "persuasive" descriptions of agents' wares.

Agentese :- Has a promising career in front of him.

English :- Has just left school.

Agentese :- Has vast experience at the highest level. OR Agentese :- Still has ambition to win trophies.

English :- Is over the hill.

Agentese :- Will give the team an experienced role model.

English :- Is over the hill.

Agentese :- Is a midfield dynamo.

English :- Runs about like a headless chicken.

Agentese :- Is a natural goalscorer.

English :- Couldn't hit a barn door with a shotgun.

Agentese :- Is a natural winger.

English :- Couldn't cross two rabbits.

Agentese :- Loves to tackle.

English :- Will get suspended eight times a season.

Agentese :- Great in the air.

English :- Is taking flying lessons.

Agentese :- Is a good team player.

English :- Has promised to stop sleeping with team mates' girlfriends.

Agentese :- Has always wanted to play for your team.

English :- Nobody else wants him.

Agentese :- Has been a fan of your team since school.

English :- Nobody else wants him.

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Match Report Acero 1: 3 Torrevieja The team coach arrived thirty minutes later than scheduled in the Port of Sagunto, but still in good time. This tardiness was a result of leaving Antonio Sala in the cafe road-stop and being five minutes up the motorway before noticing his absence!

When the bus eventually made it back to the rest house, he climbed aboard to rapturous applause, raucous laughter and with a very red face. Red faces and rapturous applause were then the order of the day.

Two previous visits to La Fornas both resulted in losses and a testing match was anticipated. Torry lined up with four debutants, Ernesto leading the attack and Jorge given the captaincy following the departure of Ramiro.

Vicente Andujar Raya was the man in the middle and all three officials brought sleaze to mind as they trotted out for the start in shiny black shorts and black tops that looked to have thin green braces holding them up. If ever red faces were warranted, then these lads should have sported permanent beetroot heads throughout the afternoon.

It was relatively dull fayre for the opening quarter of an hour, despite Nicolau, the home captain, needing treatment for an injured knee in an innocent tackle with Burguillos and Ernesto falling foul of the ref and receiving the first caution of the day. His offence? Taking a free kick when the official was not ready!

Ironically from his very next free kick delivery Burguillos popped up at the far post and screwed the ball into the net from a tight angle after Rafa looked to have a great chance but missed the ball completely.

Torry were one up.

The Acero players began to play a bit of chicken, with fans crying foul (sorry) upon every challenge and their lads going to ground looking for free kicks and opposition punishments. This worked fairly well as the referee generally waited until he heard the volume of the crowd's displeasure, then sprinted into action, fishing out cards to curry favour with his hosts.

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Some of the so called dangerous play cautions were laughable - both opponents challenging with feet raised but in every instance only the away side guilty of an infringement! It is possible that this could be genuinely the case, but take it from me, it was not!

Ernesto was seeing a lot of the ball and he was the main outlet for Torry attacks. Burguillos was battling like his life depended upon it, getting his foot in, tussling for fifty fifty balls and making dangerous runs into threatening opposition areas. But everything operated through the Torry number ten and he was subject to repeated mistreatment. However, it was his blood the crowd bayed for on the half hour mark when his opponent fell to the ground and it was touch and go whether this official would pander to their wishes, He did not, but four minutes later issued a second yellow and then red card to Cuco Ros for a raised foot challenge. Nonetheless Torry went in 1-0 up at the break.

Torry elected to defend in numbers for all the second half, giving themselves a limited outlet via Ernesto, but trying to break from defence quickly and punish Acero on the counter attack. Ernesto played his part in full, bringing out a good save from Sergio and winning a corner, which he took and delivered close to the keeper's goal line just under the bar on 53 minutes. Sergio flapped at this and merely palmed it on a yard to the foot of Inarejos who from a foot out, bundled it over the line to open his account for the Salineros.

Four minutes later and some casualness in the Torry defence allowed a free header from a set piece and Acero were back in the hunt. With a man more, they were dominating play and determined to press and pressurise the visiting goal non stop. Manu Amores was next in line for a yellow card for another "high foot" challenge, which clearly is Senor Raya's favourite sweetie in his caution bag. Then the diminutive winger missed a sitter when Dani burst into the box and laid the ball square to him in acres of space. He seemed to hit it well enough but from only 12 yards out he missed the target by a wide margin. What a let off for the home team, who must now be thinking they can haul in their opponents and claim all three points.

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