1-2: Almeria Women experience first home defeat
The Rojiblancas missed clear opportunities to have achieved a better result
The UD Almería women's team suffered their first defeat on home turf. The girls in red and white jerseys were edged out (1-2) by La Rambla, who went ahead into the contest within the first minutes, but Nadia equalised to make sure the Rojiblancas dominance was noticeable at that time. It was then that a controversial referee decision led to a 1-2 score before the break, which remained the same until the final whistle.
Team coach Álvaro García Búrdalo introduced some changes in the starting XI formed by Ani; Chelo, Esther, Eva Campoy, Pilar, Anita París, Mireya, Paqui, Irene, Nadia and Fátima. Almeria got off to a fine start by having more possession of the ball.
The Cordoba-based team struck the first blow in their first approach to the sticks, since Munzón opened the scoring (0-1). In fact, Almería were rather slow to pick themselves up from the floor after the 9th-minute goal, to the point that the visitors missed a great opportunity in a free-kick that went off the crossbar.
The girls from Almeria were gaining momentum little by little and turning that control of the ball on scoring opportunities. Nadia dared with a shot from range after receiving a rebound and drawing level (1-1). Irene failed to score twice instead; the first time, the home player finished off a cross into the box and the Cordoba keeper denied her, while the second was through a foul from afar, which was also saved by the goalie.
Almería Women were in a good moment, but a controversial referee decision turned into 1-2 thanks to Tamara's strike. The ref did not call a foul on Pilar, which was the move in which the forward was left alone in the 18-yard-box. This decisive interpretation was strongly protested by the fact that not long before a similar bookable offense was signalled when Nadia was immersed in a one-on-one.
The second half lacked action and pace. The game was littered by fouls and there were not many chances in front of goal. Álvaro García Búrdalo tried to add freshness from the bench, but the home approaches did not change the score.
The final whistle confirmed the second consecutive defeat for the UD Almería women's team, being the first to take place on home soil this season. The Rojiblancas will once again defend their colours next weekend while hosting Málaga ‘B’.
Full-time: UD Almeria 1-2 La Rambla
UD Almería Women: Ani; Chelo (Flores, 80’), Esther, Eva Campoy, Pilar, Anita París (María Flores, 51’), Mireya, Paqui (Ana Carrascosa, 80’), Irene (Sonia Piña, 70’), Nadia and Fatima.
La Rambla: Andrea (Ana María, 45’); Evita, Isa, Munzón, Tamara, Noelia (Carmona, 69’), Raquel, Estrella (Lucía, 78’), Rocío (Marta, 58’), Carla and Julia.
Goals: 0-1, 9’: Munzón. 1-1, 26’: Nadia. 1-2, 42’: Tamara.
Referee: Inmaculada Montosa Jiménez. He booked Nadia from Almería Women, as well as Ana María from La Rambla. In addition, he sent off Isa, from the visiting team, as a result of two yellow cards.
Observations: matchday 2 within Group IV of the Primera Nacional that was postponed because of the Covid-19. The meeting was played behind closed doors at the Constantino Cortés pitch.