International News -

Valladolid 1 Real Madrid Reserves 0

Shock horror; pass me those smelling salts, a home win at last. In case anyone missed the result on Sunday, it ended with a long overdue home win for Valladolid watched by 7800 strangely optimistic supporters at the Jose Zorrilla stadium. With 4 straight defeats and not a single home victory since October 23th, the season was fast disappearing down that drain where even Dyno-Rod wouldn't be able to find it. Some hard talking from new Manager Merino is obviously doing the trick.

Up against Real Madrid reserves, sometimes called Castilla, the home team gave themselves a mountain to climb rather than a castle to storm, when influential playmaker Sousa was sent off against his former teammates after a woeful tackle on the stroke of halftime.

Not to be fazed, Team Boss Merino, ( sounds like Mourinho, but he's not so snotty and not very special either) dispensed with young winger Alvaro and brought on the old campaigner Victor to orchestrate that elusive victory. Victor it was, you will recall, that scored a wonderful chipped goal a few years ago when Valladolid beat Real Madrid 1-0 at the BernieBow the week before their last European triumph in 2002.

The goal came in the 51st minute scored by Llorente. The match was obviously not for the faint-hearted as in addition to the red card there were a total of 11 yellows - the home team winning that match as well 6-5.

So now up to 7th and only 8 points below 3rd spot and waiting in the wings is the 6th place team. Away to Almeria on Sunday, usually better known for being the home of the spagetti westerns, are 4 points above the 'Pucelanos'.

To add further spice to the match, the former manager Alonso is refusing to come to terms with his financial aspects of his dismissal and if the matter isn't cleared up by Sunday the FA will not allow the new manager Merino to join his team on the touchline. Sounds like sour grapes to me.