2-3: Almeria ‘B’ stage impressive comeback in Marbella
The Academy players came from 2-0 down to beat the hosts with a perfect second half. Goals courtesy of Fermín, Caballero and Gilbert
The ability not to give up gave the UD Almería ‘B’ team all three points in a match that will be unforgettable since the youth squad had to overcome a first half of many inaccuracies in which Marbella FC, one of the clear candidates for promotion were 2 up before the break. It was then when the Indálicos displayed a perfect second half and ended up turning the game around with goals from Fermín, Raúl Caballero and Gilbert. This 2-3 perfectly proved the courage of the Almeria outfit, who never give up.
Before completing the epic comeback, the kick-off was not the expected one with a tale of two controversial offsides. The first of them should never have been whistled, as Gilbert started from behind, scored the goal, but the assistant raised the flag. The second of these actions would be 1-0, after a corner-kick, Isuardi sent the ball to the back of the net on 12 minutes.
The first half would go beyond this controversy and was based on the fact that the Almería ‘B’ hopefuls felt comfortable on the Marbella Football Center pitch. Given this, each of the errors in the deliveries of Almeria ‘B’ were used by the home team members to start the build-up. There were some goal scoring opportunities until Alberto Castro made it 2-0 at the edge of half-time.
That's when everything changed. Almeria ‘B’ were not willing to be beaten in such a simple way and made it clear as soon as the boys returned from the changing room, offering an intense, electric, precision version of themselves. Gilbert was ready in a duel, dribbled past two central defenders who tackled and ended up being knocked down inside the area. Fermín put his name onto the scoresheet after converting from 12 yards (2-1).
As the minutes went by, the pressure from Óscar Fernández's side became stronger, constantly forcing the Marbella FC players to make mistakes. With 65 minutes gone, the young Indálicos won possession and Raúl Caballero leaped beyond his marker to kick the ball into the top corner to draw level (2-2). UD Almería ‘B’ were dominating Marbella FC.
There was still time for some changes as debutant Lokosa and Jean Marco entered the pitch in a bid to boost the team’s attack. Something that seemed complicated had already been done: equalising. But as ‘Almería never give up’, the Rojiblancos completed an impressive comeback. Carlos Gilbert took advantage of the keeper’s unfortunate slip and slotted home within 88 minutes to seal victory (2-3).
Match Information:
Marbella FC: Santomé; Pereira, Julio Rico, Ortuño, Fondarella, De Lerma, Grillo, Valero (Carmona, 85’), Alberto Castro, Pato and Isuardi.
UD Almería ‘B’: Fuoli; Vertiz (Jean Marco, 60’); Aitor Puñal, Ginés (Lokosa, 60’), David Cuenca, Andrei, Kevin, Rojas (Víctor Blanco, 85’), Fermín, Gilbert (Sylla, 91’) and Raúl Caballero.
Goals: 1-0, 12’: Isuardi. 2-0, 43’: Castro. 2-1, 59’: Fermín (pen). 2-2, 65’: Raúl Caballero. 2-3, 88’: Gilbert.
Referee: Muñoz Arjona, from the Granada Referees School. He booked hosts Fondarella, Grillo, Alberto Castro and Juanpe, as well as visitors Fuoli, Vertiz, Aitor Puñal, Andrei and Lokosa.
Observations: Matchday 3. Tercera Division RFEF. Group IX. The match was played at the Marbella Football Center.