At times football can be a very cruel game, just two weeks ago loyal Altea captain Miramar was cheered from the famous Garganes turf after a quite stunning goal, this week he left in an ambulance headed for the local hospital, although his pain will no doubt be lessened by a crushing Altea victory writes Matthew Bell. Altea are now clear league leaders and building up an impressive head of steam as today’s result and performance would testify. Every week the performance is 5% better than the one before and a battling Finestrat did well to keep the score down to 3-0.

The home team were straight away at their near neighbours with Bazaga sending a fulminating drive fizzing across the goal on ten minutes with right winger Pascual doing exactly the same just five minutes later as the Finestrat goal led a charmed life. Altea’s play was all the more impressive without the likes of Chole & Manu who cheered on the team for the full 90 minutes, and this would bear fruit on 25 minutes as the classy Angel curled a beautiful free kick into the box for goal machine David Carrasco to power home a header (1-0). Coach Carrete sensed blood and ordered his team forward at every opportunity with a resolute Bazaga sending a goal-bound header on 35 minutes only for the Finestrat ‘keeper to bravely save although injuring himself in the process. Cantera product Nene was having a fine game in Chole’s absence and just before the break his quick feet bemused the visitors defence to the extent that he was hauled to the ground just inside the penalty area. The referee was well positioned to see the incident and Diego Domenech coolly slotted the penalty home (2-0) as the players headed for the dressing rooms.

The second half was highly entertaining with both sides playing to their strengths creating chance after chance. Left winger Angel had taken over free kick duties from the absent Chole and on 50 mins smashed a 30 yard free kick onto bar and post, before attempting a Van Basten-like volley from one of Pascual’s crosses which drew gasps of admiration from the large crowd. Former Altea favourite Benja sent in a fierce drive which Tomas did superbly to tip over although in the build up Miramar was badly hurt. As ever he was giving 110% for his beloved local team, and his follow through from a typically robust tackle ended with him realigning the advertising hoardings and the game being stopped for 5 minutes as the stretcher then ambulance were called into action. Not surprisingly the game lost a lot of its ‘edge’ as all players seemed to be affected by the incident. Diego Domenech missed a great chance to make it 3-0 when clear through with only the goalkeeper to beat before Christian showed him how it is done by curling home an exquisite free kick in the enveloping gloom. A special mention to midfield schemer Joanno Fuster who erased memories of his nightmare display against Orihuela two weeks prior by winning the midfield battle and winning the coveted Trofeo Pimpollo. Next up for the league leaders is Monovar (11.11.07), for kick off details and all Altean information click onto the excellent website www.udaltea.info