A mighty sigh of relief could be heard all around the Son Moix at around 10:20 on Tuesday night as Real Mallorca laid down a marker for their second division survival, winning a hard-fought game against Elche 2-1. Goals by Lago Junior in the twenty-third minute and Pol Roige ten minutes from time looked to have put Mallorca in easy street. But, as has happened so many times this season, Elche scored a soft goal from a set piece through Vergos in the final minute to ensure the fans went through another torturous added-on time period.
Mallorca looked menacing in the first half, playing with an intensity not seen in Palma all season, causing problems for the Elche defence and it was no surprise they went in at the break 1-0 ahead, it was well deserved. After half time Mallorca turned to defensive mode as Elche saw more possession although they looked like a side who had already packed their buckets, spades and flip flops. When Vergos pulled one back, we had to hold on grimly until the end which we did – just.
SUMMING UP : A crowd of 11,000 turned up on Tuesday night and they had a huge part to play in this win. It was definitely the most animated crowd we've had all season in what was a thoroughly entertaining game. The club gave away around 6,000 free tickets for the game and the same will apply for the home encounter with Cordoba on Sunday. The campaign worked big time; I mean, what better way to hide empty seats than to fill them with freebies?
Tuesday's win did us a big favour but our relegation fight is far from over. The anxiety continues. With results from the games tonight (Wednesday) involving Ponferradina against all-but-relegated Albacete and the six-pointer between Almeria and Llagostera to come, it could well all hinge on Sunday. If we beat Cordoba, I guess we're safe but it's not a foregone conclusion. German goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther will miss that game as he picked up his fifth yellow card (meaning a one-game suspension): all of these cards have been dished out for time wasting.
The game was incident packed, including a ball-boy being dismissed for not returning the ball quickly enough.
So it continues over to Sunday when fear stalks three teams scrapping for their second division lives. All their very existences hang in the balance and it could well go down to the last game of the season away at Valladolid a week on Saturday. Every match concerning Real Mallorca, especially at home, should carry a government health warning – most of our games this season have seen tension, apprehension, indifference and frustration. However on Tuesday there was excitement, anticipation, energy and drive. Fans of Mallorca who intend coming on Sunday, stock up on the undies, because squeaky bum time is definitely here.
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