1-2: UD Almería ‘B’ do not give up either!
The UDA prospects advance to the second-round tie after beating Marbella FC with Aitor Puñal’ brace in a game that went to extra time
The UD Almería ‘B’ team showed that, as happens with the first team, they never gave up and ended up reaching the second round of the play-offs for promotion to the Segunda Division RFEF. The homegrown players took the lead, thanks to a goal from Aitor Puñal, in a first half in which they were far superior. After the restart Marbella FC levelled, taking the encounter to extra time in which the Indálicos gave everything again, supported by the loyal fans who moved, until Puñal appeared to make the final 1-2.
Within the intensity and the demand that these types of play-off matches always have, in general terms, it was UD Almería ‘B’ that set the pace of the first half to the point that they wouldn’t have to regret any rivals chance against and, in addition, they were able to get ahead. It would be in the 14th minute when Marciano extended the ball, Lokosa left in the race and Aitor Puñal made it 0-1 taking advantage of the goalkeeper's rebound.
Óscar Fernández's lads knew how to perfectly manage the remaining time, showing themselves to be organised and serious in their ideas. This meant that Fuoli did not have to intervene until the break and that a second goal was grazed by Lokosa's boots, first, and Marciano, shortly after. With the advantage of the Academy side, half-time was reached.
The second half started with bad news because Marbella FC soon levelled the match. It all came from a huge arbitration error by not pointing out a clear foul on Rojas in the centre of the field. From there was born a match against Marbella FC in which Fran Ortuño made it 1-1. It was the 47th minute, this mistake by others broke UD Almeria's order to the point that Fuoli would have to appear with merit a few moves later.
Marbella FC would have a very good double chance on minute 84 in which Diego Fuoli was spectacular. However, UD Almeria ‘B’ would have the clearest opportunities with a minute to go in extra time in a counter-attack in which Rojas did not hit in front of the goal. Extra-time was necessary to decide the tie.
Already in the stoppage time, the Rojiblancos would fail another important action in which to get ahead. It was the 100th minute of the game and Marciano stood alone in front of the goalkeeper, but without pinpoint precision.
Almería ‘B’ deserved it. The fans were in the stands letting their throats cheer and the footballers on the pitch deserved it. That's when victory came. In the action, which occurred in minute 105, Rojas went down the wing, laid down the ball into the area and Aitor Puñal appeared there to push it and make it 1-2 that would be final after the UDA prospects closed out the match perfectly.
The final whistle unleashed such jubilation among the footballers, that they went to the stands where the loyal supporters were to celebrate that their courage on the pitch allowed Óscar Fernández's lads to continue their path to the promotion play-off to the higher tier.
Match information
Marbella FC: Lejarraga; Jorge Álvarez, Jean Luc (Pato, 83’), Franco Ramos, Juan Segura (Boateng, 83’), Isuardi, Iván Sánchez (Agustín,105’), Fran Ortuño, Marcos Ruiz (Gato, 76’) , De Lerma (David Valero, 97’) and Rufino (De Castro, 104’).
UD Almería ‘B’: Diego Fuoli; Vertiz, Alex Mendes, David Cuenca, Fermín, Aitor Puñal, Kevin Bautista, Gilbert (Hugo Neves, 80’), Rojas (Rafa Núñez, 117’), Lokosa (Avelino, 117’) and Marciano (Raúl Caballero, 113’).
Goals: 0-1, 14’: Aitor Puñal. 1-1 47’: Fran Ortuño. 1-2 105’: Aitor Punal.
Referee: Muñoz Arojona, from the Granada Referees School. He booked Juan Segura, De Lerma, Jean Luc, Iván Sánchez and Fran Ortuño from Marbella FC, as well as Rojas, Kevin Bautista, Fermín and Hugo Neves from Almería ‘B’.
Observations: first round of the play-off for promotion to the Segunda division RFEF. The match was played at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez Stadium in the town of Estepona.