Village of Liverpool property includes two houses, pool

In-law suites are great for keeping relatives close, but when multiple generations share a house it can be a little too much togetherness.

There's a four-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath house at 100 Fifth St., Liverpool, that might solve that problem, since it comes with a two-bedroom, two-bath house next door at 102 Fifth St.

Mary Ann and Jay Ledden are selling the houses, built around 1858, together for $249,000 after owning them for 12 years. The Leddens rent out the little house, but Mary Ann heard the original owners presented it to their oldest daughter when she married.

The larger home's main entrance faces Tamarack Street. On one side of the foyer, there's a small office with a built-in desk. On the other side, there's a wall of clear, leaded-glass panels that divides the foyer from the formal living room.

On either side of the living room's fieldstone wood-burning fireplace, doors with matching leaded-glass panels cover built-in bookshelves. A triple picture window floods the room with light and overlooks a small covered side porch.

The adjacent formal dining room has original oak floors, fluted Victorian moldings and a tin chandelier. The room has lots of windows and would easily accommodate a large table, sideboard and hutch.

The kitchen, which Mary Ann said is her favorite room in the house, has an atrium morning room with window seats that open for additional storage. The lower windows have blinds as well as removable decorative grids Mary Ann slips in place when she wants to give the room a cozier look, especially in the winter. The atrium's glass roof is outfitted with a motorized sun shade that is raised or lowered with the touch of a button.

"There's so much light, I have grown tomatoes and other plants from seeds in there," Mary Ann said.

The kitchen has pegged golden oak floors, raised-panel dark-stained oak cabinetry and a mixture of solid surface and butcher block counter tops. There are two ovens - one is convection - and an electric range with a grill/griddle and an integrated center exhaust vent.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a powder room, and around the corner there's additional counter space, cabinets and a trash compactor. The washer and dryer are hidden behind louvered doors next to a large food pantry. The counter space offers additional food prep space and a handy place to fold laundry.

A previous owner added a family room with a cathedral ceiling and dark-stained oak floors with antique iron nails. A section of brick wall and floor complements a free-standing faux wood stove that is fueled by natural gas.

The family room, which also has electric baseboard heat, easily accommodates a grand piano. "It's always been a problem, anyplace we've lived," Mary Ann said of her piano. "Not here, though."

Double doors in the family room open to a wood deck with benches, a brick walk to an asphalt driveway and a detached two-car garage with cedar closets and a walk-up attic. A gate in the wood fence behind the deck opens to a pool house and an in-ground pool surrounded by brick decking.

The pool house has a room in the back for the pool's mechanicals as well as pool toys and outdoor furniture. One of the two front rooms, both finished in cedar, has a refrigerator and a sink with counter space and cupboards. The other room is a dressing area with a toilet. The pool house's roof overhangs a patio, providing a convenient spot for grilling and getting out of the sun.

The home has four bedrooms on the second floor, and all have deep closets and original pine floors. One bedroom has an atrium window and a window seat with storage. The master bedroom has a walk-in closet and a full bath with a glass-enclosed stall shower. There is a ceramic tile floor, pedestal sink, linen closet and a tub with a shower in the hall bath.

Both homes have a gas forced-air heat and are on public water and sewers. The larger home has central air and a central vacuum system.

Mary Ann said she loves living in the village because she can walk to the grocery store, to events at Johnson Park and to Liverpool Public Library , which she considers the hub of the close-knit community.

Work that sexy cement floor

Cement floors in painted, stained, coloured and personalised glory are appearing in homes, trendy restaurants, retail stores and modern office blocks. Not only do they protect your surfaces but they transform the space and add aesthetic appeal.

As with all trends we want to hold onto them for as long as possible so we give them a twist.

When most of us think of cement flooring, a garage comes to mind.

Modern trends in cement flooring have made these foundations much too pretty for simply parking your car. With a plethora of colours and styles and a durability that can't be beaten, it makes sense that cement is moving to the top of the pack in flooring choices.

However, these cement floors do need to be painted in order for them to be protected against foot traffic and the elements.

When it comes to flooring, think ‘barefoot luxury.  It’s all about texture and sensuality and the preference of feeling a solid cement floor.

“Painting cement floors can transform the space, bringing new life to both interior and exterior areas,” says Simon Stekhoven, CEO of Duram paints, innovation-driven paint developer and manufacturer of decorative paints and protective coatings.

Local manufacturer Duram Paint suggests why you should consider cement flooring as it’s easy to clean and maintain, highly resistant and durable as well as easy to change especially if you sell your home whereby the next owner can place carpet or wood on top of the cement slab. It’s also an excellent alternative to carpet if you have allergies.

Gone are those patios that fade, chalk or yellow and here’s to a new range of earthy colours — white, platinum, flagstone, slate, burnt red and forest green — that add a distinctive style to the area. 

A newcomer to South Africa’s paint industry, Duram Showfloor is an attractive long-lasting cement floor paint using the latest in water-based technology yet with polyurethane properties and performance to ensure enhanced weather/ UV protection and help enhance resistance to impact, wear and abrasion.

The Showfloor range is ideal for residential or commercial floors, in or outdoors and on either new or previously painted cement. Preferred areas include showrooms, restaurants, kitchens, patios, garages as well as light industrial floors.

Unlike other paints, Duram Showfloor is a range that comes in a user-friendly single pack so there’s no measuring or mixing or special skills or equipment for its application.

The Showfloor range is made up of a cleaner and greaser as well as a cement floor primer applied prior to the innovative polyurethane top coat that leaves a luxurious medium sheen finish.

“The beauty of this range - that uses the very latest polyurethane technology from Germany - is that it is an easy to apply, affordable and durable way of painting floors.” says Simon Stekhoven, CEO of Duram.

In addition to its decorative advantages, this low maintenance water-based paint is UV, weather, chemical and stain resistant, low odour, non-toxic as well as heavy metal and lead-free.

KVS Interior Design creating and executing interiors

KVS Interior Design's Tina Margrander, ASID, NCIDQ and Design Assistant Julie Oswald, ASID, NCIDQ are creating and executing interior designs for two model residences being built by McGarvey Custom Homes in Quail West.

One of the models, McGarvey's Bardane villa in Quail West's La Caille neighborhood, is nearing completion.

The Bardane's two-story great room floor plan offers 3,788 square feet under air and includes an oval-shaped foyer, four bedrooms, a study, a staircase leading to the loft, three-and-a-half baths, a gourmet kitchen, a free-form pool, spa and landscaped pool deck and a covered outdoor living area.

The model includes an optional outdoor kitchen and fireplace as well as an optional wine cooler in the kitchen. The large master suite has a sitting area that opens to the outdoor living area and offers golf course and water views.

The classic-transitional design style features a color palette that includes light, creamy backgrounds with chocolate browns and aqua blues as well as gold and white contrasts. Tropical style art selections include a piece by Quail West resident Carol Weber. A combination of classic and clean-lined furnishings mixes wood tones with painted pieces to bring character to an interior design that is sophisticated, elegant and comfortable.

"The furnishings reflect simple lines with light fabrics and finishes to give the home a fresh feeling," said Margrander. "The combination of the simple wood tones with painted accent pieces provides additional interest in spaces throughout the residence."

Ceramic tile floors, crown molding, distinctive ceiling treatments and other elegant features and finishes are found throughout the Bardane.

The kitchen includes raised panel wood cabinetry, granite countertops, under-cabinet accent lighting and a Bosch stainless steel appliance package.

Granite or marble countertops are also found in the master bath along with his-and-her vanities, a tiled walk-in shower, a separate tub and his-and-her walk-in closets with built-in cabinets.

The four-bedroom with study Casa Fiore is being constructed in Quail West's Sunnyslope neighborhood. This home features cutting edge architectural details, ceilings that soar to 20 feet and floor-to-ceiling windows that amplify pool, golf course and lake views.

A soft-modern design style plays clean-lined neutral furniture pieces with darker finishes against accessories and artwork. Windows are stacked all the way to the island kitchen's 25-foot ceiling. The natural light enhances the room's rich palette that includes taupes and backsplash details that compliment lighter toned walls.

"McGarvey Custom Homes is known for its attention to detail," said Margrander, "and that will be evident throughout the Casa Fiore. The clean-lined trim package will include beamed ceiling details, 12-inch baseboards and two-piece crown molding around the perimeter and in the ceiling coffers in the dining room, kitchen, leisure room and master bedroom. A morning bar in the master suite, indoor and outdoor fireplaces with pre-cast concrete surrounds, a wet bar and a five-car garage with a motor court will be included. Mud-set stone flooring with numerous inlays and details will be featured in the kitchen, dining room and leisure room. Decorative stone or ceramic tile will be used in the bathrooms.

The study will be finished with hardwood flooring and will include custom built-in cabinetry. The leisure room will feature a custom built-in entertainment cabinet. An airy island kitchen will be equipped with a Viking and Sub-Zero appliance package. The breakfast nook will feature a view of the outdoor living area and pool and include a built-in breakfast bench. All of these features and finishes work beautifully with our soft-modern design style."

The Casa Fiore is perfectly suited to Southwest Florida's outdoor lifestyle. An outdoor living area will include an outdoor kitchen with a 36-inch grill, sink and refrigerator. The 615-square-foot pool will feature a heated spa. The pool deck will be surrounded by an aluminum fence.

Amorosa Village largest project for Burbank Housing

The Amorosa Village affordable apartment and town house community, located at 1300 Pebble Creek Drive in southwest Santa Rosa, started taking residents last spring.

Built at a cost of $29 million, construction was financed by the Housing Authority of the city of Santa Rosa, and finished with additional federal stimulus funding. The project received the support of the Department of Economic Development and Housing.

Amorosa Village is the multi-family portion of the existing Dutton Village at 2740 Dutton Meadow Drive.

With a total of 150 units, Amorosa is the largest of 46 developments built to date by Burbank Housing Development Corporation, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the supply of low-income housing in Sonoma County.

Phase II, with 53 units, was completed in June, and Phase I, with 97 units, was finished in September. Fifty two of Phase II’s units are targeted to households at 30, 50 and 60 percent of area median income along with one unrestricted manager’s unit.

“Amorosa is like a small rural town with its own community pavilion, resident gardens, mail room, laundry, two playgrounds (one for small children), a basketball court, and two acres of outdoor space for picnics and barbecues. There are also several small plazas dispersed within the village for communal living,” said Larry Boughton, construction department manager with Burbank Housing.

“Every unit has a view and the village offers a feeling of openness. You don’t feel cramped in. Durable finishes and plumbing fixtures were used that don’t need replacement as often. We also incorporated extensive ceramic tile flooring and a 50-year rated roofing system.”

Amorosa is comprised of two and three story buildings with flats on the first floor and town homes above.

With an average of 30 units per acre, the complex covers five acres on a parcel that once served as farmland.

There are 17 buildings on the site with a total of 160,000 square feet of living space. Units include 480 to 500 square foot studios, plus one, two and three bedroom units up to 1,000 square feet. All ground units are accessible with seven units completely outfitted with special features to aid the physically challenged.

Buildings are divided into smaller sections connected by breezeways to allow for natural ventilation and daylight.

Cutting edge physical plant facilities, such as condensing boilers, produce radiant baseboard heat and hot water achieving energy savings 40 percent more efficient than levels set by state standards.

Midstate Construction was the general contractor and the Structural Design Group provided engineering support.

Hunt Hale Jones Architects created a contemporary design with traditional residential details. This combination allows larger scale apartments to become a bridge between legacy home concepts and major infill housing styles.

“One of our goals was to create micro neighborhoods within Amorosa Village enhanced and identified by different color schemes,” said Bob Iwersen, project designer and manager with Hale Hunt Jones Architects.

“Some 17 paint colors were used, including a blend of tints and hues, to give each building a distinctive look. This rich palate was created by color consultant Leslie Tipple of L.T. Designs.”

Each building was constructed as a wood frame structure with an acrylic stucco exterior, concrete and steel stairs and landings, metal railings and perimeter fencing as well as attractive balconies topped off with metal roofing.

The village landscape includes large grassy areas shaded by deciduous native trees and shrubs. Vegetated bioswales were placed in parking areas to channel and absorb runoff from the hardscape and treat water before it enters the storm drain system, in keeping with best management practices.

Organized in 1980, Burbank Housing builds and manages family and senior low-income rental housing and creates home ownership opportunities through its mutual, self-help program.

Steve Bartlett Blog

I am so lucky! People have been sending me pictures of their cats!

That's got me so excited I've been Irish step-dancing like that thing in the Robaxacet commercials.

In a recent column on my weighty cat, Jakey, I asked readers for advice on how to help him drop a few pounds. They gave it to me. Pics et al.

Some of the responses were even fit to print.

One writer suggested Jakey might just be naturally fat and not have a problem.

"I thought my Barney Boo was fat until I brought him to the vet recently for a check up and was informed that at, 17 pounds and only 2.5 years old, he is considered a 'large' cat rather than a 'fat' cat," she wrote.

I hope she's right because that would mean I didn't play a role in making Jakey reach a weight where he leaves footprints in ceramic tile. (And, no offense, but "Barney Boo?")

Speaking of vets, most respondents suggested that's where I should take Jakey. We'll be heading there, and I'll be more afraid than the cat. Sitting in a waiting room with a fat feline amongst all those humungous, hungry, dogs is about as fun as being the patient in home dentistry.

Anyway, in seeking advice on skinnying my cat, I also requested the responses purr with puns.

If there was a legal limit to pun usage, the email from "Barb" - the woman's real name - would land her in the slammer for a very, very long time.

"Poor Jakey, I know what it's like carrying around extra pounds. I've been doing it for years.

"Get him off the couch. Too much sleep is no good so forget the cat-nap, get him to the cat-walk, or play cat-ch with him (it keeps dogs slim). With all that exercise, you'll need to have lots of cat-ty litter for him. That will keep Stevie out of the dog house. If he does too much exercise, take him for a sail on a cat-amaran to relax him. Or you could cat-apult him through the air and, hopefully, he'd think he's a cat-bird and flap his paws, and that's a great workout.

"You love Jakey, so make sure he doesn't overdo it. Reward him with treats that can be found in any cat-alogue on pets. If he seems in pain, cat-er to him, serve him fresh cat-erpillars, cat-fish and cat-sup, if that's his thing. Please don't be alarmed if you hear his caterwauls - believe me that's a good thing for Jakey. But be on the safe side, and if you are really concerned about his health, take him to your vet for a CATscan. It certainly cat-n't hurt.

"Better go now. Gotta tie up the cat-tails with some cat-gut to bring to the fall sale at a cat-lic church. Cat-ch ya later."

Thanks, Barb, for making me cat-atonic. It must have been cat-hartic for you.

Not all feedback was punny though.

One guy sent an email titled "See ya Jakey." In it, he suggested how to get rid of our portly pussycat's poundage permanently. Thanks for the advice, but my house has a no-kill policy for all creatures except European earwigs - and husbands/fathers who harm Jakey.

Matisse, Cocteau made canvases of two chapels

Regardless of our religious inclinations, when we travel, we wander through grand cathedrals and mosques, sometimes as though they were museums, awestruck by the light, the smell of incense, or the sounds of an ancient organ.

But sometimes it’s the simpler sacred spaces that draw us, intimate places built not over hundreds of years, but maybe a decade, that reflect the dedication - or downright obsession - of their creators. The traveler can find two such tiny chapels not far from the center of Nice in the south of France. Henri Matisse’s Chapelle du Sainte Marie du Rosaire is set on a hillside in this pretty 15th-century hilltown, while Jean Cocteau’s Chapelle Saint-Pierre sits near the waterfront of Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Both are masterworks created by artists late in their careers: Cocteau began work on his chapel when he was 68 and Matisse started in his 70s. And both reflect a singular vision of their creators: Matisse’s clean line and color and Cocteau’s fantasmagorical merging of myth and catechism.

You can get an introduction to the Matisse chapel at the Matisse Museum, set in a candy-colored 17th-century Italian villa in the Cimiez section of Nice, just up the hill from the Hotel Regina, where the artist lived and worked until his death in 1954. Here, in addition to a fine collection of his paintings and sculptures, you see models and drawings Matisse developed for the chapel.

Matisse (1869-1954) lived in Vence from 1943-49 and designed his chapel to honor Monique Bourgeois, who served as a model, and who later became a Dominican nun. (Today nuns provide the tours, in French.) The chapel, which sits on the outskirts of town, opened in 1951, and Matisse oversaw its every aspect, from the boldly-colored stained glass windows to the vestments worn by the priests who celebrate Mass at its plain stone altar. It was the first time an artist had done so.

Matisse wrote: “I want those entering my chapel to feel themselves purified and lightened of their burdens. . . . I regard it, despite all its imperfections, as my masterpiece . . . as an effort which is the culmination of a whole life dedicated to the search for truth.’’

This chapel is stark in its simplicity; visitors are sometimes underwhelmed by its modernity. Its exterior is plain, white-washed stucco with a blue ceramic tile roof, decorated with a thin, wrought iron cross, adorned only with gold crescent moons.

Inside, white ceramic tile walls reflect the colored light as it streams through three sets of stained glass windows designed in Matisse’s abstract shapes and three colors: yellow, green, and blue. On the walls are three plain, black line images: the 15-foot-tall St. Dominic, the Virgin Mary and Child, and the Stations of the Cross. The Madonna is a modern one (she is naked), and Jesus’ arms are spread in the shape of a cross.

As you sit on the plain, wooden chairs and watch the light change through the windows, you get a sense of what Matisse was trying to accomplish: a feeling of peace and inner quiet. Instead of being overwhelmed by grandeur, you are prompted to move deeper inside yourself.

Not far away, in the seaside village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, avant-garde poet, artist, and filmmaker Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) took a totally different approach, imprinting his own wild vision on an ancient church that had been used to store fishing equipment.

“Cocteau turns muralist for fisherman’s chapel’’ was the headline in July 1957, when Life magazine covered the opening of the Chapelle Saint-Pierre. The photos show the tiny, candlelit chapel filled with visitors who had come to see what the artist had created. “Cocteau himself considers the chapel the ‘crown’ of his work,’’ noted the article’s author, who went on to quote Cocteau: “In doing it I did not use my mind but my heart.’’

We inadvertently got a sense of what its creation must have been like when we visited one late afternoon last spring. The place was closed for renovations, but when I noticed the heavy wooden door was slightly ajar, I pushed on it anyway.

Inside, two young women clad in paint-spattered shirts chatted quietly as they dabbed at the frescoes, oblivious to our presence. Jazz played on a boombox. We had traveled so far, we begged them in bad French. Could we look? Yes, if you are careful, they replied. It turned out to be one of those travel moments you never forget.

Scaffolding filled the 14th-century chapel’s interior, but even in the dusky light, we could see the sweeping images in odd juxtapositions that cross time and genre, some religious, some civil.

Cocteau painted scenes from the life of St. Peter: his walk on water, and his arrest by Roman soldiers. There’s an homage to the women of Villefranche, who carry their basket of fish and sea urchins under the watchful eyes of the angels. The Virgin Mary is serenaded by a 1950s-clad jazz guitarist. The rooster crows. Above it all, angels swoop in a cascade of movement.

Cocteau became enchanted with the rundown chapel while staying at the nearby Hotel Welcome in the 1920s. Back then, he would hardly have been called a religious man. In her book, “Artists and Their Museums on the Riviera,’’ author Barbara Freed points out that the hotel was the scene of, as Cocteau’s friend Ned Rorem put it, “outrageous public behavior.’’ And that’s probably putting it mildly.

When Cocteau returned to Villefranche in 1950, he was an older, established writer, and he began his excursions into painting murals and sketches - he called them “tattoos.’’ As with his film and writings, he drew heavily on Greek mythology, and he made the chapel his canvas.

It took the artist more than seven years to cut through French red tape to renovate the chapel. Once he had the keys, some fishermen stole his ladders to prevent the project from happening - they wanted to keep it for storing nets. Cocteau compromised by donating the entrance fees to a local fishermen’s fund.

Happily, he persisted, and today the church is used a few times each year. Mostly, though, it’s open for the traveler, a chapel-canvas that serves as a reminder that, when it comes to art and religion, good things sometimes come in small packages.

Knoxville Carpet Partners with PreferredLocalBusiness

Knoxville carpet has never been as easily accessible as it is today, thanks to Frazier's Carpet One in Knoxville, TN joining PreferredLocalBusiness.tv, a partnership that will make quality carpet, tile, hardwood, laminate and vinyl immediately available to local internet searchers.

Since 1953, Frazier's has been serving the greater Knoxville area with pride. They are a charter member of the Carpet One buying group which, with over a thousand stores worldwide, not only has enormous buying power, but also has deep partnerships with all of the major brands, mills and manufacturers. When it comes to floor covering, clients can explain their needs and Frazier's will satisfy them beyond their expectations. Frazier's is one of the largest stocking dealers of floor covering in all of Tennessee, with a selection of carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic, vinyl and area rugs that has to be seen to be believed. Customers can always find the best products and great savings at Frazier's, everyday.

Frazier's exclusive brands like Relax, it's Lees®, Tigressa, Bigelow® and Resista Soft Style set the industry standard for beauty, style, and quality. In fact, every floor they offer has more than surpassed their own high standards of performance and comfort. And with four generations and more than 55 years of experience, expertise is what Frazier's offer their customers on so many levels. Their sales professionals are trained to ask the right questions, guide their customers through their easy-to-understand selection systems, and work with them to create exciting solutions. Flooring is their first language.

Carpet-seekers will love their SelectAFloor™ system. It's the perfect tool to navigate through the many flooring products, warranties, and colors to find what ultimately fits their needs and lifestyle. If their hectic home or work schedule still won't let them come to the store, they can purchase a beautiful new floor right online using the easy navigation. Customers can request samples to see how they look in their room, have their rooms professionally measured for free and have a certified installer come to their home to have their new floor installed. The entire process can be completed without even entering the store.

Frazier's believes in excellence every step of the way, so their work continues even after their customers have left the store. They are experts in floor covering installation, and they stand behind their work with a "Life of Floor" warranty. Even better, each Carpet One store, like Frazier's, is locally owned and operated. Frazier's is local. They work and live in in the Knoxville, Tennessee community and understand their customer's needs. When it comes to Knoxville carpet, customers can expect integrity, the very best personal service, value, and warranties from Frazier's Carpet One.

HALOES, HAT TRICKS AND HOWLERS!

This being Holy Week it was fitting that Elche’s quicksilver little striker, the aptly-named Angel should be heroically celebrated in the City of Palms with his brilliant hat-trick, rightly claiming the match ball as well as his halo in the process.

There was only one change from the Illicitanos’ exciting away draw at Girona last week, reliable full-back Carpio’s suspension meaning Vasco Fernandez was given a run out, Albacar preferred to back-from-suspension Ripa at left back, who was substitute.

The cheaply-advertised entrance prices didn’t really turn on the locals, only 7,366 watched the game, which considering Elche’s sound fifth play-off place in the league has to be disappointing.

Elche started briskly, only 3 minutes had gone when Mantecon’s fierce drive was drilled wide, Kiki Mateo’s mazy run down the left was smothered at the near post, this then countered by Huesca’s long corner on 20 minutes which caught Elche’s goalkeeper Jaime stranded and it was Elche’s turn to scramble the ball away to safety; that effectively was really the last time the visitors seriously bothered the well-organised home defence, Elche taking control in all departments.

On the half-hour, and the Illicitanos’ were on their way; a Xumetra cross was pushed out by goalkeeper Andres, only to be headed back by a rejuvenated Generelo. As Andres hesitated Angel nipped in to loop his header safely over the goalkeeper to deservedly put Elche in front;  indeed he should have made it two four minutes later when clear through but rolled his soft shot agonisingly wide.

Mantecon, Generelo and Kiki Mateo were all booked for niggling fouls as the referee had a word with Xunetra about diving in the box, but didn’t book him - hmmm, interesting, that - no further score before half time - and no howlers – yet!

The second half continued with Elche in the driving seat, and an Albacar free-kick whistled wide. But the referee – El Cerro Grande, no less - decided to alienate himself from the home crowd as on 64 minutes Kik Mateo burst through clear, got to the ball before Andres to push it wide, only to be blatantly brought down by the desperate goalkeeper. Sure he went down theatrically, but it was a clear last-man foul.

However instead of Andres going off, Kiki Mateo got a second yellow for diving and was off himself. Funny interpretation that - and it went down badly with the home fans!

Strangely enough, it didn’t make a scrap of difference to Elche that they had only ten men (let’s face it, they’ve had plenty of practice - though not lately); the spirit was still there in abundance, and Elche continued to dominate. Only 5 minutes after the sending-off, Mr Lightning, our hero Angel did it again as he caught Huesca napping at the back, ran though, and checked before planting a cracker inside Andres’ near post. Elche 2 – 0 and coasting...

With 15 minutes left, off came Generelo to well-deserved applause for once, to be replaced by anchor-man Acciairi. But man-of-the match Angel was not finished yet,

With 7 minutes left he teased, twisted and turned his marker who pulled him down to earn his penalty – and he didn’t get booked for diving -  merely coolly despatching his penalty low into the corner for his well-deserved hat-trick: he never stops working and running. Angel now has nine goals in 18 starts – great striker stats!

With the score safe at 3 – 0 there was just time for a little hilarity. With 5 minutes left Ripa replaced Xumetra and Bodipo for Angel. The new pair combined for Ripa to be left clear – what, five yards out?

He managed somehow to sky his shot so far over the bar it looked impossible, but worse still, more farce was to come as the young sub was then put though one-on-one with only the goalkeeper to beat, but again inexplicably managed to muff it; good job it didn’t matter, and it took the edge of the El Cerro Grande’s misdemeanours – he will look again at the video and see how wrong he got it!

But hey, the Franjiverdes go marching on, now beaten only once in nine  games as they march towards the play-offs.

Next week Elche are away to lowly-placed Salamanca, sweating away just inside the drop-zone with a dodgy home record, winning only 5 of their 17 games. Elche are in great form and fear no-one these days – game on!