Mazarrón FC’s extraordinary season continued well into mid-April with the players, staff and supporters still hoping the team could achieve a miracle and escape relegation. With six games remaining, Mazarrón were nine points from safety but three successive victories saw them go into the last three games of the season just two points from safety.
It was a remarkable turnaround considering only two points had been taken from the first eleven games of the season. The last eleven games up to mid-April had yielded 21 points from 11 games and had that form been replicated over the whole season, Mazarrón would have been in second place in the league.
Dominican Republic International Carlos Ventura continued to have an outstanding season, included in the Tercera Team of the Week on many occasions and local boy and Captain Chiky Ardil was reproducing his best form along with others, such as the versatile Nam and the hard-working Taborda in midfield.
The local derby at home to CD Bala Azul on 3rd April saw one of Mazarrón’s best performances in recent years with a vital 3-1 victory against one of their relegation rivals. Large queues formed outside the ground before kick-off and a huge crowd saw Mazarrón dominate the game, played on an excellent surface. Mazarrón’s three goals were of the highest quality, a header from central defender Gaston and superb strikes from Samuel Mateo and Ventura
The following week saw a tricky away encounter against already relegated UD Los Garres. These games have proved to be banana skins for Mazarrón in the past but a first minute goal from Chiky Ardil calmed the nerves and a second from Ventura on 33 minutes saw another three points gained.
The fixtures played on 24 April and 1 May will be reported on in the June issue of Costa Calida Chronicle
Mazarrón’s home games are normally played on Sundays with varying kick off times. Kick off times are not normally known until the Tuesday before the day of the game. Full details of all games, dates and kick off times are advertised in the local media, on our own Los Amigos de Mazarrón FC Facebookpage, fb.me/Mazarrón2016, and will be shown on posters at various points throughout Camposol and Mazarrón.
Los Amigos aim to take a supporters’ coach to each away game subject to demand. If we do not have sufficient numbers to justify the coach or if the game is played fairly locally we travel in convoy leaving from the lower car park opposite Consum supermarket. Following the recent increases in fuel charges, coach prices have been increased to €12 for Los Amigos members and €15 for non-members and we ask everyone to email janperks1@gmail.com to indicate that they wish to travel on the coach well in advance of each away game. Payment can be made at our Thursday meetings.
For the away game at Caravaca on 17th April, almost 40 Los Amigos members and friends travelled by coach to watch the game and enjoy a post-match Menu del Dia. A full report on the day’s activities will be given next month.
At the last home game of the season scheduled for 24th April an end-of-season meal was planned at La Sienna Bar and Restaurant opposite the football ground. The game was designated as a “football shirt” day so you could wear the shirt of your favourite club (including Mazarrón’s)
On Friday 8th July there will be a meal at Bar Velasco in Mazarrón town (19.00 to 24.00) Numbers are limited to 40 and the event will be for members only.
The menu is:-
Starters – Salad, ham and cheese, croquettes.
Main – Paella (seafood or chicken breast)
Dessert
Wine, beer, soft drinks and coffee or infusion
There will be a live band, Still In the Groove, and any drinks after the meal must be paid for separately. A coach will leave the lower car park, opposite Consum at 18.45. Please email derekandmary2@gmail.com to check availability, prices and to book tickets.
The Celebrity Golf Day at Camposol Club de Golf, sponsored by Camposol Property Sales, and the 11th Gala Dinner sponsored by Mazarrón Entertainments Group at the Hotel la Cumbre took place on 28th and 29th March and were once again very successful with around €2700 raised for Mazarrón Football Club.
The uncertain weather put the Golf Day in doubt but fortunately it improved enough for the event to take place. Celebrities, John Beresford, Tony Currie, Peter Reeves, Mike Dean, Lea Roberts and Gary Marshall all took part and the winning team was Celebrities “A” which comprised Tony Currie, John Hutchinson, Gary Davies and Shaun Johnston. Lee Fisher of the sponsor Camposol Property Sales made the presentations to the winning team, the wooden spoonists “Miss Hits” and to the winners of the longest drive and nearest the pin competitions. Special thanks to Stuart and Colin at the Golf Club and Club Captain Peter Evans for his help in organising the competition.
The following day the 11th Gala Evening and Dinnertook place at Hotel la Cumbre. Although the hotel was undergoing a complete re-furbishment and is not yet open to the general public they pulled out all the stops to make sure there were enough fabulous rooms for our guests to sleep off the excesses after the festivities and to, once again, provide an excellent five-course meal.
Ex Newcastle United star John Beresford provided the football stories recounting tales of famous players such as Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoyne and David Ginola and he was followed by comedian Lea Roberts who had the audience in stitches with his hilarious routine. Master of Ceremonies Gary Marshall kept the evening flowing in his usual inimitable style and the night was rounded off with music and dancing with Woody.
Thanks to our sponsor Mazarrón Entertainments and to everyone who turned up to make both these events so successful.