Review of the 2022/23 Season
The 2022/23 season started in mid-September, later than usual because of the reduced size of the league due to the reconstruction of the Spanish football system. The first game was a trip to Aguilas, normally an enjoyable day out, but not so this time. The game had been moved to their third-choice ground at the last minute and we found there was no canteen and only one toilet which, to gain access to, you had to go outside the ground and walk round to the other side. The game ended in a 2-2 draw and the next two games were both drawn, before we gained our first victory, 4-0 at home to CD Lumbreras. The next game was also drawn before we earned possibly our best win of the season; 4-1 at home to the eventual champions Balsicas.
Wins against Atletico Santa Cruz, Mar Menor and Aguilas in the return fixture, coupled with three more draws, saw us still unbeaten after 12 games on 18th December when we travelled to face SFC Minerva. Never a good hunting-ground for MFC, we suffered our first defeat. Minerva went ahead in the first minute and we thought we had rescued a point and maintained the unbeaten record when Chiky equalised in the 86th minute, only for Minerva to grab the winner in time added on.
Despite this setback, we entered the New Year with two wins, 3-2 at home to CD Algar and 1-0 away to CD Lumbreras. This left us in 2nd place, the promotion play-off position, four points ahead of 3rd place with just seven games of the season left. We were the top scorers in the league at that stage and with the best defensive record. What happened next is inexplicable; five successive defeats, leaving us thinking less about promotion and more about relegation. A 4-1 home win over already relegated Mar Menor in the penultimate game gave us a little breathing space, but we still needed a draw in our final game at home to Algezares UD to avoid the prospect of a relegation play-off. We managed this 0-0 and sent our neighbours Bala Azul into the relegation play-offs where they were beaten 1-0 on aggregate by Union Molinense CF.
For the second season running, the influx of cash by the owners and the introduction of so many foreign-born players did not succeed. Relegation from the Tercera was followed by near relegation from the Preferente. I cannot see there will be many of the foreign-born players remaining next season. Carlos Rivas has already announced that he has left MFC.
However, we must thank our President Diego for all his hard work and enthusiasm and hope that he is not too dispirited and will continue to work to achieve promotion back to the Tercera next season.
Other News
There is little activity at the Football Club during May and June until training resumes in July. However, representatives of the Spanish supporters Group, the Redboys, played a friendly game of walking football against members of Los Amigos de Mazarrón FC and the Camposol Walking Football Club and a great time was had by all at the Estadio Municipal, the home of MFC.
Tuesday 16th May – Race Night returns to Alley Palais, Camposol B
Doors open at 7pm with the first of eight races starting at 7.30pm. There will be a short break for food at the conclusion of the 3rd race which should be at approximately 8.30pm.
Two of the eight races will be ‘auction races’ when spectators can bid for a horse and enjoy a share of the profits if the horse wins. On a smaller scale, punters can bid for a horse or a jockey in the other races. It costs €3 to own a horse and €2 to own a jockey and there is a prize and a rosette for the winners. You can sponsor a horse or a jockey at the Los Amigos weekly meetings at Mariano’s, Camposol A every Thursday at 4pm.
Admission is €5 which includes a Race Card and entry into a Prize Draw. Tickets are on sale at our meetings, Alley Palais, or email dereksocialfc@gmail.com
Tuesday 19th September – Black-Tie Dinner @ Restaurante Amapola, Bolnuevo.
Three-course meal, a glass of cava or orange on arrival followed by a choice of starters – squid in batter with tartare sauce, Spanish ham and cheese or vegetable tempura. Main course – Chicken with Peppered Sauce or Special Sea Bream Amapola. Dessert – Cheesecake or Fresh Fruit. Local beer, house wines and soft drinks will be included during the serving of dinner only. Coffee is also included. Entertainment by vocalist Carolyn May.
Tickets €33 for members and €37.50 for non-members. Transport will be provided to and from the venue at an additional cost of €5 pp (first 55 to reserve)
Please contact dereksocialfc@gmail.com to book your tickets or call at our weekly meetings.
