Real Murcia 1 Las Palmas 0

Photo : Chando, pure number 9, what a fine fellow.

3 down, 1 to go. Finally Real Murcia peek over the relegation zone, only by a point, and other results mean that we must win again at Gerona next weekend to be safe. A draw may be enough, but depends on too many other results to be a real posibility. Gerona, after defeat at Albacete, also need a point to guarantee safety, so the game will be very similar to yesterdays clash at the New Condomina.

Pre match was a paella (rabbit and snails - sounds horrid, tastes fantastic) cooked on a wood fire at Casa Herminio, just a couple of hundred yards from home. Then on to Krunch at the New Condomina shopping centre, large gin and tonic please. Atmosphere was building nicely, despite the general sense of nerves and in some cases sheer terror at the thought of Segunda B. Alcohol helped and a bit of singing eased the tension.

Excellent attendance of 21.145 of which only 3 or 4 were from Las Palmas....and the crowd responded very well to the circumstances of the game, especially when most needed the last 15 minutes when the visitors created a couple of chances. Once again it was Chando who scored another vital goal, taking advantage of a through ball from Bruno on 22 minutes. He had another chance before scoring, but seemed to be bundled over before getting a shot away. Could have easily been a penalty, but the ref waved play on. Aquino forced Pindado into a great save with a close range header, and by half time Real Murcia were well worth the one nil score.

Second half started with another penalty claim waved away. Aquino clearly beat Pindado to the ball, and received a blow to the head in return.....a stick on pen....which the referee again turned down, at the same time as he waved Real Murcia's medical staff on to attend to the stricken Aquino. How does that work? Murcia pressed hard to increase their advantage, but came up against an inspired keeper and some last ditch defending. The last 10 minutes lasted an eternity (I think my son asked me about 20 times how long there was to go), and Las Palmas sub Rondon had a couple of half chances....but the crowd really got behind the team, and with that kind of atmosphere it is hard to lose. There was delirium at the final whistle - another final won, only tempered by the news that other results mean we have to win our last game to be sure. The "SI SE PUEDE" (Yes we can) shouts resounded around the stadium, followed by the chatter of fans making plans for an invasion of Gerona. The Guiris will be there!

I WILL SUPPORT YOU, I WILL DEFEND YOU. REAL MURCIA, ALE.
Saludos.