Alison Golding's match report:
MATCH REPORT – SUNDAY 3RD JUNE 2018
PLAY-OFF FINAL – FIRST LEG
MAZARRON FC 2 – C.D. ALGAR 1
Another record breaking crowd gathered at our home ground for today's first leg of the
play off final.
With a late kick off of 19.00hrs the conditions were pleasant for both players and
supporters alike.
Algar kicked off the first half and started the attack immediately with a long strike from the
half way line but the result was well over the target.
Mazarron retaliated by breaking up the field and into the box but Salvi (no 9) failed to find
the target.
Unfortunately most of the first half failed to live up to this exciting first few minutes.
Both teams were desperate to take control and get an early lead but control was the last
thing we saw from either team.
Most of the play took place in midfield with a series of high balls being headed away, often
out of play.
Mazarron had an excellent free kick from 25 yards out, on target for the goal mouth. They
have scored many a goal from this move throughout the season but today the Algar
keeper was on his game and the ball was punched away to safety.
Both teams defence were holding up any attacks coming forward and a goal did not look
on the cards for either team but Mazarron took their chance 37 minutes into the half with a
free kick from Jose Da (no 10) perfectly placed into the box for Campoy (no 5) to head the
ball on into the net – GOAL FOR MAZARRON.
The first half ended 1 – 0
After a slight delay when the over enthusiastic “Red Boys” let off one too many flares and
the smoke filling the area needed to clear, Mazarron got the second half underway.
As in the first half Algar made the first move with a long strike that the Mazarron keeper
had to go full stretch for to knock just over the crossbar.
Mazarron started to play with more control, keeping the ball on the ground, making great
runs and a series of successful passes.
Both teams showed more skill than they had displayed in the first 45 minutes but with the
defences holding firm. Long strikes, as an attempt to find the target were tried by both
sides but failed.
Algar were awarded a free kick to the side of the box. Sweeping it in long to the far side of
the goal, pass the Mazarron defence, but to the head of Algar's no 5 who knocked it home
for an equalising goal. - 66 minutes played – 1 – 1.
Algar's goal, somewhat against play, put a whole new light on the game for Mazarron but
the task became harder as Algar came alive with revived vigger and aggression.
As Mazarron were about to take a free kick from the half way line, this aggression showed
itself in the worst possible way. As the players waited to receive the ball, jostling for
position, a Mazarron player was knocked to the ground and a full blown fight was near to
erupting.
The referee was straight on the incident. The situation was calmed down and a red card
awarded to Algar.
With Algar down to ten men and twenty minutes left to play, this was a chance for
Mazarron to retake the lead?.
But tempers were still frayed and the last section of the game was not going to be pretty.
The previous incident was repeated as again Mazarron waited to take a free kick and
jostling started again with the waiting players.
Not distracted by the incident the free kick was taken long pass the goal. Struck back in,
Raul Torrano (no 2) was just where he should have been and headed the ball home –
GOAL – MAZARRON BACK IN THE LEAD.
The last ten minutes were frantic but Mazarron held on and the game finished 2 – 1.
Mazarron made three substitutions.
Algar made three substitutions.
Mazarron received three yellow cards
Algar received four yellow cards and one straight red card.
Man of the match was Raul Torrano – number 2 – His epic long “throw ins” have been a
crowd pleaser throughout the season, often better than some of our corner kicks!
With a one goal advantage Mazarron will visit Algar next week for the return leg.
It will be a hard fought game and no one will want to remember the 7 – 1 thrashing they
gave us back in October.
We know the team have matured and grown throughout the season and now it will all
come down to keeping the lead for this final game.
COME ON MAZARRON.
If anyone didn't see yesterday's match, or wants a re-run, it's still available on the MazarronHoy facebook feed:
www.facebook.com/Mazarronhoy/videos/2092585624360446/The attendance has been said to 1,200.
And if anyone wants to practice their Spanish, here's a post-match interview with Juanlu...
www.orm.es/deportes/deportes-2018/el-mazarron-vence-2-1-al-algar-en-la-ida-de-la-final-del-playoffs-a-tercera/