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Post by dudleyhatter on Oct 31, 2023 18:23:50 GMT
Sorry for the tardiness, it’s been a busy few weeks down here in the sunshine. Perhaps Halloween is the best time to post this…
On the pitch well, let’s just say there was a very difficult period. We were home to Orihuela and to say it was route one and ugly football would be an insult to Wimbledon in the 1980s. Suffice to say that we got what we deserved that day. Both teams were launching the ball into the atmosphere, and it was not a pleasant watch. During the second half Javi Lopez blocked a cross with his chest, and the referee gave the penalty clearly not, hands behind his back etc. Goal to them and still for us no goal all season. Five minutes later, Javi playing right back, goes down holding his hamstring. The winger goes down. Crosses the ball into the middle and yes goal number two. Late in added time, we scored our first goal of the season, barely raising whimpers from the crowd, but there were very disaffected locals talking already about change of manager. Three days later, a shot at redemption away to lower league Torre del Mar, who we beat in the playoff, in the regional cup. Win this phase of the cup and the major prize is a place in the Copa Del Rey! We had plans to go as it was a mid week game. However, transport issues meant that El Palo Inglés did not make it! Our giant striker was sent off in the second minute we went on to lose three nil to say hope was disappearing fast was an understatement. Next up another four hour drive to Murcia.
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Post by ceefer on Oct 31, 2023 19:43:15 GMT
Sorry for the tardiness, it’s been a busy few weeks down here in the sunshine. Perhaps Halloween is the best time to post this… On the pitch well, let’s just say there was a very difficult period. We were home to Orihuela and to say it was route one and ugly football would be an insult to Wimbledon in the 1980s. Suffice to say that we got what we deserved that day. Both teams were launching the ball into the atmosphere, and it was not a pleasant watch. During the second half Javi Lopez blocked a cross with his chest, and the referee gave the penalty clearly not, hands behind his back etc. Goal to them and still for us no goal all season. Five minutes later, Javi playing right back, goes down holding his hamstring. The winger goes down. Crosses the ball into the middle and yes goal number two. Late in added time, we scored our first goal of the season, barely raising whimpers from the crowd, but there were very disaffected locals talking already about change of manager. Three days later, a shot at redemption away to lower league Torre del Mar, who we beat in the playoff, in the regional cup. Win this phase of the cup and the major prize is a place in the Copa Del Rey! We had plans to go as it was a mid week game. However, transport issues meant that El Palo Inglés did not make it! Our giant striker was sent off in the second minute we went on to lose three nil to say hope was disappearing fast was an understatement. Next up another four hour drive to Murcia.
As Gnarly Barkley sang - !things can only get better!.....
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Post by gazz on Nov 1, 2023 5:09:52 GMT
It sounds like they're taking their time to settle/get going, Duds, a bit like us the past two seasons!
Fingers crossed they can grind out a win sooner rather than later, mate. Sometimes it's an ugly, scrappy win that can get things going - let's hope they can get that against Murcia.
Cheers for the update, mate.
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Post by bringbacklenwhite on Nov 2, 2023 9:11:33 GMT
Keep the faith Duds.
A step up takes time to adjust to.
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Post by dudleyhatter on Nov 3, 2023 10:08:05 GMT
So our next match saw us away to joint bottom of the table, Cartagena B who, like ourselves only had one point. Although as they play their home games at the main Cartagena ground it was an impressive 15,000 capacity with a crowd similar to those of Covid days in the U.K.! I was reminded of the days back in the 90s when I looked at the championship/league one table, and said right; all we need to do is avoid defeat away and win at home in games like this. It started well in the 26th minute as Raul Rojas put us ahead for the first time all season! Amazingly in the 86th minute we doubled our lead thanks to Amin! There was still time to concede one goal, but we held on to gain a vital victory. The next week we returned to home soil to take on Antoniano. Once again the aerial bombardment from both sides was enough to give neck ache! At times we appeared to play some football and looked a much better side but then we reverted to hoooooooof. At half time we were yet to see an effort on target, in fact there were very few efforts at all! Just ten minutes into the second half and another long ball from the opposition saw our right back standing too deep and their striker was clean through in the middle and put the ball away confidently. Fortunately we struck back within three minutes as Baka hammered the ball home. There were a few more half chances but the game but no more goals. The locals still not happy with the football and although we got a point we were still firmly in the drop zone. The next week saw us travel again to the province of Murcia. This time away to La Union, which happened to coincide with two of our El Palo Inglés group heading to their old home in Murcia for the weekend. They took the flag and headed off to the east. In a match reminiscent of Macc many years ago Stef provided live reports of the game via text initially and then he started sending voice notes! During the first half long balls once again dominating the play, especially from the home side, a long ball over the top was badly cleared and the ball was slammed home 1-0. Something had to change. This happened at half-time. But Imagine the surprise for everybody when we started playing football. Stef’s voice notes, took on a note of horror, amazement, and then joy as we played football that in his words started to take them apart. Obviously this isn’t how the story ends you know how it goes. With 20 minutes to go, Roberta Sierra pick the ball up on the edge of the box and slams home a screamer. Surely not! The ball was played around the edge of the box and then into the box with 10 minutes to go and yes foul, penalty! Up steps, play-off hero, Javi López surely not a victory, again in Murcia? Yeeeessssss. Javi slammed the ball into the back of the net. And that’s it. Another three points picked up on the road. The whole team came across to the two away fans to thank them for their support. They all had a photo taken together. It appeared in the press, and even in the official team Twitter photo after the game. Next up unbeaten Real Betis B at home, what could happen next?
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Post by gazz on Nov 3, 2023 11:15:49 GMT
Fantastic update, Duds and that really is a great set of results, I'm sure you would have taken 7 points from those three games before a ball was kicked at Cartagena B? I know I would have!
Onwards and upwards, mate, it certainly sounds like the boys have dug deep and found some belief in themselves - sigue así, Paleños!
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Post by dudleyhatter on Nov 4, 2023 12:58:14 GMT
Time for a final round up of October’s fixtures. So, home to Real Betis B what would happen? Could there be more football? Hopefully we will continue to actually play football who knows miracles can happen! And indeed within four minutes of the game starting, a miracle did happen. The ball came across from the right to Javi López, who took a touch and played it calmly past their keeper into the far corner of the goal. Yes!!!!! Vamos El Palo! The roar was palpable as we lead for the first time at home all season! This was indeed a game of football, both sides playing good attractive football, switching the play, looking to create opportunities, playing out from the back. What a delight! There were chances for both sides, but nothing clear cut, and we made it to halftime holding onto our lead. As the second half began, their obvious sporting ability and talent began to show. For a good 20 minute spell they were dominant, fortunately, without creating too many clear-cut chances. Slowly we go back into the game and with five minutes remaining Sante Luque m cutting from the left hammered home with his right from outside the box. What a goal, what a reward three points! Previously unbeaten Betis defeated, yes! Oh and now we are clear of the relegation places. One more game to finish the month away to Yeclano where according to reports we played football, they played the longball and with few chances at either end, nil nil final score. Thus ended the month of October. Unbeaten through the month, 11 points gained, mid table, respectability, six of our players, nominated for the RFEF2 player of the month in their positions! We currently sit one point off the automatic promotion positions at one point off the automatic relegation positions to say this division is tight is an understatement Next up tomorrow, home to Arguilas (the eagles) with the tightest defence in the division with just three goals conceded. However, they have yet to win on their travels. Four wins and four draws, puts them comfortably in the promotion positions.
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Post by gazz on Nov 4, 2023 18:55:08 GMT
Fantastic update, Duds!
That's a brilliant return from some very difficult fixtures and, more importantly, the boys navigated them unbeaten - what an achievement that is in itself!
I knew they'd soon find their feet, mate.
Sigue así, Paleños!
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Post by ceefer on Nov 5, 2023 10:22:45 GMT
So our next match saw us away to joint bottom of the table, Cartagena B who, like ourselves only had one point. Although as they play their home games at the main Cartagena ground it was an impressive 15,000 capacity with a crowd similar to those of Covid days in the U.K.! I was reminded of the days back in the 90s when I looked at the championship/league one table, and said right; all we need to do is avoid defeat away and win at home in games like this. It started well in the 26th minute as Raul Rojas put us ahead for the first time all season! Amazingly in the 86th minute we doubled our lead thanks to Amin! There was still time to concede one goal, but we held on to gain a vital victory. The next week we returned to home soil to take on Antoniano. Once again the aerial bombardment from both sides was enough to give neck ache! At times we appeared to play some football and looked a much better side but then we reverted to hoooooooof. At half time we were yet to see an effort on target, in fact there were very few efforts at all! Just ten minutes into the second half and another long ball from the opposition saw our right back standing too deep and their striker was clean through in the middle and put the ball away confidently. Fortunately we struck back within three minutes as Baka hammered the ball home. There were a few more half chances but the game but no more goals. The locals still not happy with the football and although we got a point we were still firmly in the drop zone. The next week saw us travel again to the province of Murcia. This time away to La Union, which happened to coincide with two of our El Palo Inglés group heading to their old home in Murcia for the weekend. They took the flag and headed off to the east. In a match reminiscent of Macc many years ago Stef provided live reports of the game via text initially and then he started sending voice notes! During the first half long balls once again dominating the play, especially from the home side, a long ball over the top was badly cleared and the ball was slammed home 1-0. Something had to change. This happened at half-time. But Imagine the surprise for everybody when we started playing football. Stef’s voice notes, took on a note of horror, amazement, and then joy as we played football that in his words started to take them apart. Obviously this isn’t how the story ends you know how it goes. With 20 minutes to go, Roberta Sierra pick the ball up on the edge of the box and slams home a screamer. Surely not! The ball was played around the edge of the box and then into the box with 10 minutes to go and yes foul, penalty! Up steps, play-off hero, Javi López surely not a victory, again in Murcia? Yeeeessssss. Javi slammed the ball into the back of the net. And that’s it. Another three points picked up on the road. The whole team came across to the two away fans to thank them for their support. They all had a photo taken together. It appeared in the press, and even in the official team Twitter photo after the game. Next up unbeaten Real Betis B at home, what could happen next? Great to hear they are turning the corner Duds.
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Nov 5, 2023 13:06:25 GMT
Uncannily like a typical County start to the season! Which, hopefully, will bode well for the coming weeks...
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Post by dudleyhatter on Nov 6, 2023 16:34:28 GMT
Well what we thought on paper would be a tough game, was indeed a tough game. Both sides set out to nullify the opportunities of the other; midfield was packed; their defence was tall and broad; through balls were at a premium. Opportunities were definitely limited throughout the first half, half chances at best. It is difficult to recall a clear save that either keeper had to make that, and the bar being shut, meant that the atmosphere was somewhat muted. Half time 0-0. Into the second half and El Palo St-Germain seemed to be on the pitch! Playing the ball expansively for the first ten to fifteen minutes, moving the ball side to side, creating opportunities to force three saves from their keeper, but no the breakthrough not yet. We all know what was needed. Ito coming on. This duly happened with 20/25 minutes to go and yeah wow, he carefully shielded the ball past the centre half and as the pitch opened up for a pass through to the onrushing forwards with the ball at his feet… he missed it completely. From Messi to messy in less than one second! With 5 minutes to go they won a corner on the left, with their entire team bar two lining up on the edge of our box the ball was played in to around eight yards out an imperious header was buried by their striker and that’s was the game gone! A difficult game to judge badly. None of our players played poorly (even shhh…Ito had some good touches) it was one of those when you walk away thinking. They are four points off the top and they only just edged us. They were certainly not a better team. I have just watched the post match interview with their manager who said they were waiting for a dead ball situation…. Onwards and upwards. As things currently stand we are in the automatic relegation positions with a goal difference of 0. We are however, only two points off the playoff positions! Hope is definitely not lost. This season will go to the wire…
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Post by gazz on Nov 6, 2023 18:32:33 GMT
Blips are going to happen, Duds, and this was no doubt one of those occasions. I think this is significant...
"They were certainly not a better team. I have just watched the post match interview with their manager who said we were waiting for a dead ball situation…."
... it tells me that you will not be in the relegation places long, mate. The boys just have to keep doing what they're doing and keep believing in themselves and the good results will by far outweigh the bad.
Thanks for another excellent report, mate.
Sigue así, Paleños!
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Post by dudleyhatter on Nov 6, 2023 21:02:14 GMT
In other El Palo news, this weekend saw Destiny get his first league goal of the season. Made himself a little space on the edge of the box and fired home!!
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Post by gazz on Nov 6, 2023 21:54:25 GMT
In other El Palo news, this weekend saw Destiny get his first league goal of the season. Made himself a little space on the edge of the box and fired home!! In his side's 5-2 win against Granada II. The main Granada are the team I always played as in FIFA career mode during County's time in Non-league - 'fun' fact.
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Post by bringbacklenwhite on Nov 7, 2023 8:49:08 GMT
Keep the faith Duds.
As a keeper I would have been expected to collect or punch a corner coming into the 8 yard area of the box !! Perhaps thing have changed since.
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