Vital victory for UD Almería U19 'A' over Málaga CF U19
The Academy Rojiblancos beat direct rivals in a match in which they were ahead from minute 10. Jorge, Joan and Marsu scored the goals
UD Almería U19s 'A' have made it clear that they will be fighting for the top positions in the table after the match against direct rivals from Málaga. Alberto Lasarte's boys knew how to control a game against a team that arrived undefeated in the tier. The Academy prospects put themselves in front in the 10th minute thanks to Jorge's goal. The Almerienses knew how to maintain that advantage to extend it in the second half with Joan's finish. The lads from Málaga pulled one back to make it 2-1 in stoppage time, but Marsu would give them peace of mind by slotting home the third.
The hosts bossed things in the opening 20 minutes with plenty of chances; Rachad squandered the first one with a header, although his strike went high over the crossbar, shortly after there was another opportunity by Rachad who staged a great solo play leaving Jorge alone against the Malaga keeper who would end up making a save to the striker's fine effort. After these two warnings by UD Almería… the third time was the charm and Jorge scored their first goal of the game when Valery finished off a great move that gave him the ball with a great pass.
The Malagueños began to block the red and white chances and had more possession of the ball, and thus preventing Lasarte's boys from creating more danger. With possession, the visitors began to create scoring opportunities, the clearest in a free-kick action in which Garrido's shot went very close to the crossbar. The visiting team could have equalised before the break with a good counter-attack shot by Tibu, but Bruno was very attentive to clear the ball with a great intervention.
The second half started with the Rojiblancos looking energetic as Joan doubled their lead 2-0 after a rebound inside the area. This woke Málaga up who began to create danger, however, they found themselves in every action with goalie Bruno who denied all the shots that came to him with superb saves. The Almeriemses reacted with two clear chances from Rachad, but the near post and then Rafa avoided the third goal. In the 93rd minute, the visitors' consolation goal scored by Tomás arrived, but a couple of minutes later Marsu made it 3-1 in the final minutes to seal a victory in a key match to continue fighting for the places that give a spot to play the Copa del Rey at the end of the first half of the season.
Match facts:
UD Almeria: Bruno; Iker, Paco, Varo, Leal; Joan (Lustosa. 87'), Peña, Jorge (Marsu. 68'); Valen (Juanjo. 68'), Rachad (Gabri. Min 77) and Younes (Álvaro. 87').
Malaga CF: Rafa Martínez; Gabri (Jesus. 64'), Izan, Cantero, Usama; Álex Tomé (Tomás. 75'), Ismael, Manu; Miguel (Álex Contreras. 64'), Rubén Sánchez (Uru 64') and Rafael (Maxi. 85').
Goals: 1-0 Jorge (10'). Joan 2-0 (52'). 2-1 Tomas (93'). 3-1 Marsu (95')
Referees: Fernández Cintas from the Almería Referees School. He booked hosts Iker,