Mazarron » Sports » 06.01.08 Mazarrón start the New Year well.

Mazarrón start the New Year well.

Mazarrón ‘San Antonio’ CF 2, Real Betis B 1, 06.01.08

At last, Mazarrón finished a game with 11 players and 3 points, to get the New Year off to a good start. The team had an unusual appearance, with three regular defenders and the top scorer all missing through suspension, but fortunately Ortega was fit enough to play, and both Gamiz and Xabi Sanchez were welcomed back from long term injuries. Mazarrón’s woes were offset somewhat by the news that the visitors were without their two top scorers as well.

During the first half an hour, the home side were definitely second best, as they were unable to match the pace of the Betis strikers and made little impression on their big defenders either. During the early midfield skirmishes, Gamiz was very fortunate not to get the first red card of the year, as he foolishly lashed out with his boot at Alex Ortiz, after Carrasco appeared to have been fouled, but thereafter, the midfielder, recovering from a depressed fracture of the cheek, had an excellent game. It was no surprise however, when Betis took the lead after 15mins. A long ball out of defence found Carlos Valverde 40ms away from the home goal. Reguero had a rush of blood and came charging out of his goal, only for the striker to dance around his tackle and put the ball into the empty net. 10mins later, only a great piece of defending denied Perona a chance after he was put through by Carrasco and then the best move of the game so far, involving Carrasco, Sanchez, Perona and Llamas, saw the latter blast the ball high and wide. This seemed to give Mazarrón the confidence they lacked, and after 39mins, Sanchez picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area, played it out left to Perona whose cross was met by a glancing header by Carrasco for the equalizer. In added time Reguero made up for his earlier slip by saving well from Valverde.

Mazarrón looked like a different team in the second half. A Carrasco shot grazed the post in the first minute after great work by Alvaro, and then a shot by Juanjo went just wide. All four forward players were now passing the ball fluently, and Perona headed over from a cross by Alvaro, when Juanjo was far better placed just behind him. On the 62nd minute, the pressure was rewarded. Carrasco was fouled on the left and with him still down, Gavilan took a quick kick down the line to Juanjo. He made ground before crossing perfectly to Perona who had time to control the ball on the edge of the area before unleashing a shot that hit the underside of the bar, bounced down over the line before spinning up to the bar again and out. The assistant referee was on the mark and gave to correct decision to allow the goal. After all his hard work in nearly every match this season, it seems incredible that this was the striker’s first goal for the club. Mazarrón maintained control until the last 10 minutes when the nerves set in, but fortunately they held out for another win. This Sunday, at 1200, they are at home again, playing Ceuta in the first game of the second half.

Mazarrón: Reguero, Llamas, Ortega, Jorge Gonzales, Gavilan, Alvaro(Brais), Carrasco (Zubillaga), Xabi Sanchez, Gamiz, Juanjo (Saura), Perona.

Roger, www.mccmurcia.com