Last gasp win for CD Montesinos
LAST Saturday's encounter between two ‘middle of the pack’ teams, CD Montesinos and Sporting Dolores CF A, was widely predicted by the terrace pundits to be a close one. But, it was a battling performance, with not a little skill as well, that saw the Reds snatch all three points at the end.
The gathering, sullen clouds and brisk wind gave the Cauldron more of a ‘Sunday morning at the park pitches’ feel than the usual balmy weather we have become accustomed to, and the swirling conditions were to have a bearing on both team's approach to the game. The two sides showed good intent though, although Dolores, in their striking green kit, seemed comfortable to do battle in the middle third, rather than sally forth in any meaningful way. Indeed, Monte could have opened their account early doors, if the goal-bound strike by Arturo wasn't hacked away off the line at the last second. Still, a large crowd were well entertained by some excellent football by both sides, albeit, with so little real action in the final thirds of the pitch.
Montesinos continue to appear steady at the back, with Gocu and Victor looking solid as ever, and busy enough in the middle, with Pipo playing a key role.
Despite this, both sides reached the halfway mark level.
Half time: CD Montesinos 0–0 Sporting Dolores CF A
The murky-looking skies continued to threaten and Dolores took advantage of the unpredictable gusts in their favour with several long-range pot shots, which saw Sergio in the Reds goal relieved when one mighty effort bounced off to the top of the bar. The war of attrition continued in the middle of the park with both sides making limited inroads into each other's stubborn defensive lines.
A flurry of substitutions by Dolores on 75 minutes saw them roll the dice, possibly trying to nick a win from a finely balanced match or, more likely, to replace some tired legs.
Monte also threw on reinforcements in the shape of Kevin up front and Adrian in the middle of the park, but it was an earlier sub, the perpetually industrious Pato, who broke the deadlock late on, when he was Johnny-on-thespot snatching a late winner, lashing home on the right of Dolores' box for his sixth goal of the season so far. Surrounded by relieved and jubilant team-mates, he received their adulation and an unfortunate booking for stripping his shirt off.
Dolores, on the other hand, looked deflated and crestfallen; they might have felt that they deserved something from a game they had tried hard not to lose.
A further clock-eating substitution for Montesinos saw Maccan take to the field to shore up the middle, but for Dolores, the game was both up… and over.
Full time: CD Montesinos 1–0 Sporting Dolores CF A
A just reward for their efforts… possibly? But CD Montesinos has to maintain this level of energy and effort in order to survive in the division. I think we'll be okay, but that may be more a reflection of the quality of the teams around us than how far we need to progress. We'll see after next week's game away at Orihuela B.
After the whistle: Just a quick shout out for the man in the middle today. I've been (perhaps, overly) critical of referees and their card waving antics/attributes, but Sr Sampada today did a decent job, two yellows apiece for each team (I'm not counting coach Alfredo's yellow and eventual red, for objecting a little too forcefully about a couple of nearby fouls) and a flowing game. Well done sir!
And a final shout out to the eventual sponsors, Monte Mentals, whose choice of Man of the Match, Victor showed, to a delighted home crowd, that the art of the well-timed tackle is not dead, with two classic examples in both halves. This proved that it is not always goals that win games, but the ones you stop as well. I'm tempted to mention a certain Bobby Moore in the Brazil game in Mexico 70, but that maybe a little too far. Vamos Monte!
Don't forget to take out or renew your Full Monte membership, with Mick, any committee member, or at thefullmonte2011@hotmail.com, where you can also get information about Full Monte merchandise.
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Next match
On Saturday, February, 26 CD Montesinos are away to play Orihuela CF 'B', at the Municipal Ground La Murada. Kick-off is 18.00. Travelling supporters to meet at Bar Rives at 16.30.