1-0: Almeria ‘B’ run out winners against Poli Almería in derby
A late, late Raul Caballero’s strike wins it for Almeria
The UD Almería ‘B’ team beat Polideportivo Almería in the derby thanks to a superb performance which was capped by a late Raul Caballero winner in the 95th minute. In general terms, it was a match in which the youthful players dominated the offensive game with their local rivals having no choice but to park the bus. The Martos-born centre-forward late strike earned the homegrown players a narrow victory over Poli Almeria to keep up the challenge for promotion alive.
Fernando Santos included a total of 4 second-team players who train daily along with the senior team in the starting XI. Lluís Tarrés; Vertiz, Manu, Ricardo Carvalho, Fermín; Aitor Puñal, Dani Albiar, Juan Gutiérrez, Siles, Cristian Olivera and Raúl Caballero were handed starting spots.
From the kick-off, Almería ‘B’ went all out for a win and did not hesitate to make their presence known in scoring third to get ahead. In turn, Poli Almería waited for their opportunity to counter-attack. Thus, there were several clear attempts at goal by the Almeria ‘B’ youngsters over the first half. Gutiérrez’s shot was blocked by a defender between the sticks, a free-kick booted by Dani Albiar skied high over the bar and besides, Olivera ran away but the Uruguayan failed to slot home.
The second half was pretty much the same. Except for a play in which Lluís Tarrés had to come out of the box, the arch rivals did not make the Academy keeper work much. With 56 minutes on the clock, Caballero went down the right wing and provided Cristian Olivera with an assist, but his effort flew over the crossbar. Shortly after, a 67-minute header by Aitor Puñal hit the woodwork. The goal was being denied to the Academy products, since, immediately afterwards, a free-kick shot clipped the post.
Fernando Santos’ boys deserved to win so the head coach decided make some changes with Jean Marco coming on for Vertiz to have more men in the shooting third and add more speed to the game. It was not until stoppage time when the visitors fought their fingers to the bone to snatch a point. Their efforts were not enough as within 95 minutes, a free-kick from a wide position ended at the feet of match-winner Raúl Caballero, who made it 1-0. In this way. Late drama sealed 3 points for UD Almería ‘B’ to keep up the promotion to Segunda Division ‘B’ alive.
Match facts:
UD Almería ‘B’: Lluís Tarrés; Vertiz (Jean Marco, 74’), Manu, Ricardo Carvalho, Fermín, Aitor Puñal, Dani Albiar, Juan Gutiérrez (Tomás, 56’), Siles, Cristian Olivera (Cerpa, 96’) and Raúl Caballero.
Polideportivo Almería: Manu; Rodri, Alonso, Kevin (Antonini, 70), Dani Garzón (Ángel, 85’), Lay, Moussa, Josema, de la Rosa, Ponte (Marcos, 70’) and Zakaria.
Goals: 1-0, 95’: Raúl Caballero.
Referee: Polaino Redondo from Granada. He booked host Vertiz, as well as visitors Kevin and Moussa. In addition, he sent off Fernando Santos, UD Almería ‘B’ head coach, in the 96th minute, and the Polideportivo Almería players Lay, as a result of two yellow cards on 76 minutes, and Manu, with a red card, on 83 minutes.
Observations: Matchday 14. Group IX ‘A’ competing in fourth-tier Tercera Division. The match was played behind closed doors at the Anexo ground next to the Juegos Mediterraneos Stadium