3-1: UD Almería 'B' achieve important victory but play-off status still uncertain
The UDA Academy prospects put in a spirited attacking display in the second half and achieved a crucial victory for next Sunday's tie. Cantón and Valen (brace) earned their names onto the scoresheet
UD Almería 'B' celebrated a crucial victory against Atlético Malagueño in a highly competitive first half and an eventful second half with four goals. Valen's brace and Cantón's goal gave the Rojiblancos a good advantage for the play-offs second leg.
During the first half, both teams battle it out. A solid defence of both sides was clear and it was not until almost half an hour into the game that the first great opportunity arrived for Atlético Malagueño with a shot from Márquez, whose effect put Bruno in trouble, forcing him to make a save.
UD Almería 'B' tried to react after this scare and began to get closer to the visiting goal but without putting Céspedes' reflexes to the test. The hosts took the game a step further in the last minutes of the first half and we're close to slotting themselves in front in several dangerous plays, but nothing separated the sides at half-time (0-0). However, at the beginning of the second half everything changed and in the 52nd minute, the hopeful Rojiblancos took the lead; Cantón finished with a volley inside the box after making the most of a great cross from Peñalver.
This joy was to last little, since after this goal, the visitors reacted and scored the leveller in the 57th minute. Márquez hit a free-kick from the edge of the box, with Bruno blocking his effort, who was clearing the ball, with such misfortune that he hit the the post and on the rebound, Santaella made it 1-1.
The UDA team did not collapse with the equaliser, on the contrary, they began to pile on the attack with danger, but without neglecting the defensive plot. As a result of this invigorated performance, the second goal for the Almeria outfit came courtesy of Valen with the outside of his right foot after another great assist from Peñalver.
This goal greatly motivated the Indálicos and Aarón was very close to firing the third after a great individual play. When the game was already heading towards its conclusion, football things, this time luck and fortune smiled on UD Almería 'B' in the 90+2' minute, Atlético Malagueño hit the 2-2 ball against the post and, right in the subsequent play, Valen grabbed his double with a great strike that went past the goalkeeper.
Match information
UD Almería 'B': Bruno, Peñalver, Paco Sanz, René Pérez, Aarón Romero, Josema (Álex Mendes. 90+3'), Joan (Marcos Peña. 61'), Cantón (Marsu. 80'), Luis Lara (Valen. 46'), Hugo Neves and Marezi (Rachad. 61').
Atlético Malagueño: Céspedes, Rafa Garrido, Recio, Márquez (Mateo, 88'), Santaella (Rafa. 61'), Izan Merino, Ochoa (Valcarce. 88'), Arriaza, Alexis Adri López (Rubén Sánchez. 69'), Cordero and Chupete.
Goals: 1-0, 52' Canton. 1-1, 57' Santaella. 2-1 75 Valen. 3-1, 90+4' Valen.
Referee: José Luis Medina Blanco. He booked hosts Valen and Bruno; and visitor Cordero.
Observations: First leg match of the play-offs semi-finals for promotion to Segunda RFEF of Group IX of Tercera RFEF played at the Power Horse Stadium in the presence of more than 1,000 spectators who occupied the grandstand.
