Ever since CF Benidorm moved back to their own turf, I have tried to get along to as many matches as possible, and today I made it with an early start into Benidorm.
First stop was The Paddock Bar, Benidorm, to get a ticket from David Flanagan, who sells tickets to the British on behalf of the club. There is a massive British following. David also runs the The British CF Benidorm Supporters Club 🇬🇧 which is great for information regarding trips, both home and away, and The Paddock is a great bar for a pre and post match beer.
Football fans, many of various teams in the UK, united, and met up at 10am at the paddock bar. Transport was arranged, with a few sharing cars, and others getting taxis to what I now know as the regular pre-match bar for the supporters club, which is just a few minutes walk from the Estadio Municipal Guillermo AMOR
After arriving at Sidreria El Trisquel which, in English means "The Trisquel Cider House" were we were made welcome by the friendly staff ready to serve the much in demand cold beers. Food is also available, but time was short.
As more fans arrived, there was eventually around 30 at the bar, enjoying the sunshine, and waiting on the approaching 12pm kick-off.
It's off to the match we go!
As we had tickets it was just a case of walking into the stadium after getting my ticket scanned, although there was no crazy rush at the ticket office (a little hatch on the wall), It was still better to be organised.
CF Benidorm v CD Olimpic.
It wasn't long before Benidorm had a chance to take the lead., as in the first minute, with a great ball crossed into the box that went just wide. I was hoping this was a sign of things to come. Although I didn't have to wait much longer as in the 10th minute a free kick was sent into the box, and the final header going wide.
In the 15th minute there was some nice play though the centre of the pitch which eventually resulted in a corner, but again the header missed the target.
It wasn't until the 17th minute the visitors had a decent shot from just inside the box, but it went wide and no trouble for the keeper. Two minutes later the visitors had another chance at goal, with a strike from outside the box, which almost sent the ball out the stadium.
Twenty five minutes into the match and the kids were still banging the drum and shouting Benidorm, showing their support for the local club, which was fantastic, as they didn't really take a break from the kick off.
In the first half a player from CD Olimpic was down injured and CF Benidorm played the ball out, which was a nice gesture. In the 30th Minute, after some nice play in the midfield by the home team pushing forward in attack, a CD Olimpic player was down and the visitors just stopped playing, expecting the ball to go out. It eventually did, but why not play the whistle?
The second half was much the same story of the first half, missed chances, mostly in the visitors end of the pitch, but the visitors did have a few and seemed to be getting more chances towards the end. Although at one point a player from CF Benidorm was on the ground injured and the visitors had a change of heart and wanted to play on. The earlier sportsmanship was dumped, as tensions were getting high, resulting in the visitors coach being shown a second yellow card (given one in the first half) and sent to the stand.
The crowd were getting more behind the home side as the clock ticked down, but any hope of a victory for the visitors was soon dashed in the 86th minute.
The first tackle inside the box, the ref waved play on and no penalty, but seconds later the second tackle confirmed and a penalty was awarded. It was close to the keeper, but found the back of the net, much to the delight of the home fans.
The Late penalty mean CF Benidorm establish a 12 point lead at the top of the table.
My day out was a great experience for a 6th division match. Great company, cold beer, sunshine and football. What more could you want at lunch time on a Sunday.
Get yourself along!
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