Real Mallorca picked up their first win in the second game of their centennial season with a gutsy 1-0 win over Ponferradina thanks to a Manual Araña penalty after 17 minutes. The award came after rising young star from Cala D’Or, Brandon Thomas, was up-ended in the 18 yard box. Mallorca played with 10 men after striker Javier Acuña was shown a straight red card in the 72nd minute. He decided to take the law into his own hands when Michael Pereira was felled by a nasty tackle from Casado. Pereira stayed motionless for at least two minutes with referee Ocon Arraiz refusing to halt the game, which he did eventually after what seemed an eternity. Pereira not moving could easily have meant serious injury. The referee’s failure to take more immediate action, or the visitors sportingly putting the ball out of play, incensed the 9,000 crowd and things then became even more aerated when the visitors refused to give Mallorca the ball back when play was re-started, which is an unwritten law, especially in Spanish football. Acuña’s rush of blood to the head saw him charge at Casado with a two-footed tackle, studs showing, which in modern football is a serious assault charge with a possible three-match suspension. He knew as he left the pitch that what he had done had let his team-mates down.
With 20 minutes to go, it looked curtains for Mallorca but they magnificently rallied their defence to stay firm and strong finally holding on for a famous victory against numerical superiority. The expected appearance of new signing Rolando Bianchi didn’t materialise as his transfer papers were delayed in arriving from Italy.
SUMMING UP:
The referee spoilt this game through his total incompetence and completely lost the plot in the second half. Mallorca coach Chapi Ferrer was proud of his players after the game as they held on defiantly. Our cause was helped big time by a stunning save from the young German ‘keeper Timon Wellenreuther near the end, which kept our hopes alive but there’s no doubt Acuña’s crazy act of retribution put us on the back foot.
No Fan’s View this week would be complete without a mention for my man of the match Michael Pereira. The young Frenchman must have covered every blade of grass on the Son Moix pitch, and he laid on two possible chances for Moutinho in the last 10 minutes, both of which whizzed past the post.
A great start for the islanders, albeit heart-stopping, and the fans were buzzing as they left the Son Moix. Next up it’s Bilbao Athletic away on Sunday at 12 noon, then it’s a Son Moix cup match against Huelva on Thursday 10th September at 8 pm.
Real Mallorca were expected to have finalised their squad at midnight last night when the Spanish transfer window slammed shut. Predicted to be coming in on loan is the highly talented 20-year-old central defender David Costas from Celta Vigo. He’s been recommended to us by Barça boss Luis Enrique who was coach of the Galician side two years ago. Costas played 13 times for the first team last season but now can’t get into the starting XI as Celta lead La Liga table, he’s also a Spanish Under 21 internationalist. Mallorca were hoping to sign either mid-fielder Patrick Ekeng from Cordoba or Mandi of Sporting Gijon. One player from our B team has been on fire, Mateu Ferrer has scored seven goals in just two games.