HORTIGAS 1 - 2 Balompédica (367526011)

A scorching day at EL HORTIGAL, where 16980 spectators were in place for today's match. Alfonso Da Silva was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Israel Garcés and Edward Intra. HORTIGAS started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. Lineup: Cantallops - Miesl, Mac Gabhann, Sekulić - Caño, Novický, Paiva, Serna Pareja, Peres - Arola, Bazzanti.

Balompédica had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Starters: Sierra - Lecourtois, Cirillo, Whelan - Takev, Siarzewski, Pérez Vega, Bankov, Chantry - Frescura, Abbà.

HORTIGAS clearly had decided to counter-attack when they could. D. Chantry made a nice dash down the wing after 9 minutes, but was unable to get the cross into the box. A goal kick was awarded. C. Abbà had a good try after 19 minutes, coming in on a fine move from the left, but the ball went wide. HORTIGAS were very close to putting themselves one up after 20 minutes as L. Bazzanti got through on the left, but failing in concentration, he shot the ball wide. 34 minutes into the match, Balompédica nearly took the lead, as C. Abbà broke through on the right. S. Cantallops made the save, however. After 40 minutes, C. Abbà sent the corner kick right to A. Takev who headed it sharply past the keeper. 0 - 1! 0 - 1 was the halftime score. Possession in this half belonged to HORTIGAS, who controlled the ball 51 percent of the time.

The Balompédica players could smell victory in the air. I. Siarzewski wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for J. Garcia after 46 minutes. HORTIGAS tried to even things up by sending a long ball towards the centrally placed strikers, but the visitors' defence got the best of this rather direct style of play. Having been awarded a free kick in an awkward position after 66 minutes, HORTIGAS did not go for a shot but instead fired the ball hard into the 6 yard box. After a brief tussle with his marker, M. Arola was able to power the ball past the keeper to make the score 1 - 1. M. Pérez Vega had a good opportunity to give Balompédica the lead as he charged down the right and struck the ball towards the top corner, but the home team's goalkeeper made the save. Some quick footwork on the left side of the field 71 minutes into the match left Balompédica's C. Abbà completely free to score. 1 - 2 for the visitors. HORTIGAS claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 53 percent.

The most dominating HORTIGAS player was without a doubt B. Mac Gabhann. H. Caño turned in a dismal performance, however. Most important Balompédica player was C. Abbà. On the other hand, A. Takev's play was disheartening. The match ends 1 - 2.