Match Report by Chris Darwen

Almuñécar City back down to earth with a bump after nine-goal thriller.

UD Torre del Mar were celebrating before the first whistle and celebrating once more after the final whistle. A club that has worked hard to earn their rebirth, the pre-match presentations were unveiling the four teams that will represent the town in their first season back in football. And, following a dramatic late winner, the club ended the day in the way they hoped for, lifting the Trofeo Ciudad de Torre Del Mar.

Almuñécar City made changes from the side that had triumphed 6-0 against Algarobbo on Sunday night. Elliot Simmons moved over to left back and club captain Dean Dallas started in the centre of defence with Sandro moving into midfield. New signing Adam Spinks came in for the injured Sam Zisette at right back, with his fellow new signing Tre Hayes starting on the bench.

The sense of occasion lifted Torre Del Mar as they made life very difficult for CDAC immediately. Possession was hard to come by for George Jermy’s men and there was little opportunity to settle into a pattern of play. In fact, it was from a poor pass a throw-in was conceded. Torre Del Mar took it quickly and CDAC failed to sense the danger from the quick turnover. Torre’s livewire striker, Moussa, stole past Dallas and drove the ball into the far corner of the net.

The goal rocked CDAC and inspired Torre Del Mar. Ten minutes later, another mistake in possession allowed a quick counter attack to emerge on the CDAC right. A percentage ball was played in to the area and, sensing the moment of indecision in the CDAC backline, Moussa nipped in to lift the ball home.

However, CDAC’s response was immediate. Ika, tirelessly working the right flank, took full advantage of the referee allowing play to go on to get past his man and pull the ball back for the incoming Kristoffer to halve the deficit.

A goal down at half time has been the case several times in CDAC’s preseason campaign, so there was always a chance the second half would promise more goals and it certainly delivered.

A promising start to the second period was curtailed when an error allowed Torre Del Mar to restore their two goal advantage after 50 minutes. Again, heads did not drop and there was an instant reply from Kristoffer. Moments later the scores were level. An incisive break, started by Abdul Ibrahim, saw the ball move wide to the right. Chris Ramsell beat his man and delivered a pin-point cross to new signing Tre Hayes. The giant striker headed the ball home with ease.

Again, this could have been the spark to push CDAC over the line but again errors came back to haunt them. Despite having all eleven men in the box to defend a corner, Torre Del Mar were able to work a short routine into the box and find a man unmarked to score with another perfectly placed finish.

Once more CDAC rallied, and scored another equaliser from their own set piece. Gangi, finding space around the back with bodies filling the near post, scored with header back across the goal. Torre Del Mar looked deflated, and the sense was CDAC could go on and finish the game.

But no. A miserable night for those who love the tactical acumen of a 0-0 draw continued as Torre Del Mar scored their fifth, final and winning goal with two minutes left on the clock. Yet again it was a break from an error, but yet again it was a stunning finish leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

This time there was to be no reply from CDAC and Torre Del Mar emerged victorious.

This was the first preseason defeat for the new side and, considering they are barely nine matches into introducing themselves to each other, this is an incredible fact when you understand that 50% of their matches have been played against teams playing at a far higher level than the division CDAC will enter. The side clearly has the potential to outscore any team in their path, and as the weeks go on we can expect to see more defensive performances akin to Algarobbo as opposed to what was seen last night.

Either way, there will be plenty of entertainment on show in their first home game of the season which will be announced shortly.

(News/Sports: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucía)