We’d been staying at an Airbnb in Rincon de la Victoria which was only around fifty yards from the sea. That made it easy to have a stroll along the front before or after work, or even between meetings. The holiday season wasn’t yet up and running, but there were enough bars and restaurants for us not to become bored with any of them.
On Sunday morning I set off on my usual route, but before reaching the disused train tunnels I veered off to the right at the hut where we’d had sardine skewers two nights previously. I then headed to the outskirts of the town and the Francisco Romero Stadium.
My destination was the location for a second game of the weekend in the seventh tier First Andalucia (Malaga) division. Hosts CD Rincon were taking on Fuengirola Bowling Alleys. I think the visiting team’s name provides a reasonable clue to assessing the standard at this level.
Rincon were third in the table and looking likely candidates for a play-off spot. The Bowling Alley boys were back in ninth, but not completely out of the promotion race.
I paid my five euros admission and took a seat in the main stand that ran along one side of the pitch. It was only three rows deep but elevated so that it provided a decent view. There was another, less elevated, stand opposite. I could see the hills to the left and the sea to the right.
Rincon had most of the early possession and the better chances, but both sides managed to get the ball in the net only for their effort to be judged offside. As we neared half time a row broke out near me. I don’t think that it was between home and away protagonists, but more likely apologists v bedwetters from the same club. I find it hard to get passionate over the Boro these days, so it baffles me that people could come close to blows at a game involving a team representing a bowling alley.
At half time I wandered across to the other side of the ground and visited the bar for a drink. I think a lot of the old fellas sat at the tables had been there since kick-off or even earlier. Maybe it’s a way for them to have a few scoops with their mates before the seafront bars open for Sunday lunch.
The second half was hard fought on the pitch with no further aggro in the stands. There weren’t any goals though and we finished up with a nil-nil scoreline that I doubt either team were particularly pleased with.
Trail of the Lion King 