Pitchside with Pope: Disappointing results

El Perelló’s footballers had been within touching distance of the playoffs. But last weekend’s results weren’t what they were hoping for, says Richard Pope.

The outcomes for El Perelló’s handball and football teams were disappointing this weekend.

Although the handball team had a 21-17 victory against Les Franqueses on Saturday, the result in the other match was a draw which meant that both St Joan Despi and Montcada finished one point above them. If Montcada had won, Perelló would have qualified alongside them, unfortunately, that was not the case. We hope that the team can continue the momentum into next season and strive for even greater things.

The football team didn’t help their own cause in La Sénia on Saturday. (Unfortunately, the start times overlapped so I had to miss the handball game.) Having built up a 2-0 lead by half time they managed to throw away the initiative and two points when the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Everything started so brightly in this modern, well thought-out stadium complex when Perelló went ahead after just eight minutes.  A well-practised corner kick routine where the ball is played swiftly along the ground for Xixo to run on to was executed perfectly. The ball, struck low and hard, went through a pack of players leaving the goalkeeper unsighted.

Like Perelló, La Sénia are a footballing team and prefer to pass the ball from player to player, including, when in their own defensive zone, the goalkeeper becomes involved. I often see, when watching television, top professional sides get into major difficulties when carrying out this latter manoeuvre. Perelló’s second goal came from such a situation. Each time the defenders received the ball the Perelló forwards closed them down quickly forcing them to make ever more desperate passes. Finally, a back pass to the goalkeeper was chased down by David Flox who arrived to the ball at the same time. He was stronger into the tackle, won the ball and placed it firmly into the net.

Above: This shot from Perelló didn’t trouble La Sénia’s goalkeeper. Top: Perelló appeal in vain for a penalty

With this two-goal advantage Perelló took their foot off the accelerator in the second half and allowed La Sénia to dominate proceedings. This soon brought dividends for La Sénia when they pulled the score back to 1-2 after only eight minutes of this second period. They continued to be quicker into the challenge and the Perelló players always seemed to be chasing the ball rather than creating opportunities. In the seventieth minute La Sénia were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. Marc Andreu had his wall perfectly lined up, but to no avail, as Pol Rodriguez lobbed a perfectly placed shot over their heads, just inside the post.

Perelló did finally seem to realise the urgency of the situation in the last quarter of an hour with the players having more of an impact on the game, winning balls in midfield and driving the side forward. If they had taken a couple of opportunities near the end they could have won the match.

This result leaves the team with a near impossible chance of reaching the  playoffs, however, all of the teams in contention have two difficult matches in front of them so not all is lost.

Next Sunday 22 May the game is against third-placed Aldeana. Kick off time 6pm.

football La Senia