Pitchside with Pope: Perelló’s ladies lead the way

Our footie reporter, Richard Pope, went to see two games last weekend. The first was Perelló’s ladies’ handball team, who are heading for promotion. The football players, though, didn’t perform so well.

Before reporting on the football I must mention the Perelló ladies’ handball game that Gloria and I went to watch on Saturday evening.

The team have been undefeated in their league throughout the season and are now participating in a mini-league to gain promotion. Having lost in the Barcelona suburb of Montcada last weekend they had to win this home encounter against another team, Sant Joan Despí, from the Catalunya capital to have any chance of progression.

In a tense and hard-fought game, with the home crowd cheering them on every step of the way, the scoreboard gradually moved in their favour during the second half. There was a scare late in the game when they gave away two penalties in quick succession but they kept their nerve and won the match 24-21.

For more information and pictures go to their Facebook page.

Unfortunately, the football team will not be participating any playoffs this season. A home defeat to Deltebre has made promotion almost impossible.

Perelló were technically far superior, but with the oppostion always dangerous on the break and their goalkeeper, Gerard Estorach, stopping everything thrown at him this was not to be their afternoon.

They fell behind after six minutes when Marc Andreu, diving to save a shot, could only parry the ball into the path of the unmarked Ismail Aitydir who gratefully seized his opportunity. Although having the greater amount of possession Perelló were unable to pull back the deficit before half time.

This picture: another Perelló attack. Top: Alex Pedrosa in action

For the first half hour of the second period Perelló, with the introduction of Eric Barbera and Arnau Pedreny who added extra movement and ingenuity to the play, took control of the game and were always threatening. They drew level when Magi Andrei finished off from close range after some excellent play on the left flank by Xixo.

However, in pressing for the winner they were leaving the defence exposed and this proved to be their downfall. On the fateful occasion, an opportunistic Aleix Vizcarro evaded two desperate tackles before rounding Marc Andreu to score a great individual goal.

For the remaining minutes Perelló’s attacks were becoming increasingly desperate and they were unable to penetrate the solid Delebre defence.

Next Sunday’s game against Campredo is part of El Perelló’s Firabril. Kick off 5.15pm.

FINAL SCORE

CE Perelló 1-2 UE Deltebre

Deltebre football