El margen fue escaso pero estos fueron tres puntos de oro puro por el UD Altea dirigido por Pepe Carrete. El inicio de la temporada ha sido casi simetrico con dos victorias, dos derrotas y un empate y los (creciendo) miembros de la Penya Pimpollo tuvieron miedo de otro empate pero gracias a una grande primera parte, los tres puntos se quedaron en Garganes.

Los primeros 45 minutos fueron una historia de 90% presion Alteana. Con una zaga firme Chole se hizo con el control del partido y dio la pelota a Pascual y a Angel y por treinta minutos el equipo de la Villa Blanca jugo un estilo de futbol espectacular con mucha calidad y tambien un alto nivel del querido Tiki-Taka. A veces Chole me recuerde de Liam Brady (Arsenal, Juventus y Sampdoria de los años 70 ¡chavales!) un zurdo de clase, y siempre con tiempo. Era apropiado que el propio Chole marco el unico gol del choque, directamente desde una saque de esquina (12´), pero en el resto de la primera mitad los de Carrete tuvieron otras occasiones de gol clarisimas, Manu, Angel y Domenech especificamente. Para mi era una sorpresa a ver a David Carrasco como suplente pero Diego Domenech es un futbolista tanto directo como listo y los goles llegaran por el y el equipo.

It has been a topsy-turvy start to the season for Pepe Carrete´s highly fancied UD Altea, with an impressive start followed by a goal drought, although there were clear signs today in the big derby clash at Garganes that the team is heading in the right direction writes Matthew Bell. The victory may have been narrow and have resulted from a goal from a direct corner but this would disguise the fact that Altea played some terrific football, especially in the first half. The home side tore into their near neighbours with Chole and Angel carving the Calpe defence open time after time. Quite what a player of Chole´s ability is doing in the Liga Preferente is at times bemusing although the home fans will not mind, as at times he is a class apart. His cultured left foot evokes memories of Liam Brady and it was from one of his wickedly inswinging corners that Altea scored on 12 minutes. The goal seemed to galvanise the team, with raid after raid of attack raining down on Calpe´s beleagured keeper. Only 5 minutes later another pinpoint corner caused panic in the visitors backline, with Angel powering a shot which the keeper did well to save. The tiki-taka quotient was high with some exquisite pass and move play opening up the Calpe defence, although Manu and Domenech should have converted one of the chances. Oddly Altea seemed more likely to score from one of their more speculative efforts, with Domenech crashing the ball onto the post having turned the Calpe centre half inside out, whereas Chole sent a 45 yard volley fizzing over the bar as the teams headed for the break.

As is their wont Altea decided to sit back in the second ´45 and allow a good Calpe side to come onto them., although it has to be said that Tomas was only sporadically troubled in the home goal. Long range shots were the order of the day as the impressive home defence worked hard to keep danger to a minimum. Both Miramar and Guiseppe were excellent, like wise Christian but mention must be made of his centre half partner Gallego who was outstanding for the entire game, especially the 52 minute second half. It takes a player of some ability to keep a terrace favourite like Bazaga on the bench, but Gallego has surely played his way into the team. There may be taller defenders, but like Fabio Cannavaro Gallego has the knack of being where the ball is when trouble looms and fully deserves his ´Man of the Match´ (el Trofeo Pimpollo) award. As the game progressed Altea looked the more likely to score with Manu having a thunderous volley wonderfully saved, while Chole´s corners looked like adding to the scoreline. In the end a narrow, but deserved win with the crunch derby against Polop looming large. For kick off details and to follow UD Altea, log onto www.udaltea.info!