UD Almeria ‘B’ end up 4th and will play play-offs first tie against Marbella FC
The UDA Academy youngsters snatch a last-minute tie from the jaws of defeat in their visit to Juventud de Torremolinos CF thanks to a goal from Lokosa (1-1)
The UD Almería ‘B’ youngsters tied in the last minutes of their away match against Juventud de Torremolinos CF, and thus ended the regular season in 4th place. The UDA Academy youth team played a good game, yet it was not until the end that they managed to cancel out the already champions’ opener. The youthful Indálicos will face third-placed Marbella FC in the first round of the play-offs and are obliged to win in Estepona if they want to progress to the next knockout stage, having lost the advantage in the event of tie.
UD Almería ‘B’ visited the Group IX champions within the Tercera Division RFEF, an outfit already promoted in the final game of the regular season. In general terms, it was a tight game, although it was the hosts who hit the counter first with an opener in the 25th minute that would make it 1-0 until the interval. The Almerienses had options to equalise, but half-time left the Rojiblancos trailing.
The best plays of Óscar Fernández's boys took place over the course of the second period. The visitors deserved a better result at that time as they often fed the ball into the box but were not clinical. With 74 minutes on the clock, there was a double chance in which Aitor Puñal, first, was denied by the woodwork, while the goalkeeper of the Juventud de Torremolinos CF made a superb save in the subsequent rebounce in which Lokosa shot on goal.
The guests bossed things over the final minutes. They started the match as runners-up and a defeat would push them down to fifth place. Lokosa appeared in the 92nd minute and grabbed a leveller (1-1). In fact, the Nigerian's goal was the last play of the encounter away from home, since the ref blew the final whistle shortly after the last kick-off was taken.
This point earned means that UD Almería ‘B’ finally end the regular season in fourth position in the table and therefore, have to play the first round of the play-offs against third-placed Marbella FC. The young Indálicos are only worth the victory in the mini-league that is to be played in Estepona on the weekend of 7-8 May because it will be their rivals who have the advantage in case of a tie at the end of the extra time after ranking better.
After that first single-legged tie, the winner of Marbella FC vs UD Almería ‘B’ will be paired with the winner of Huétor Tájar vs Atlético Malagueño. After that second single-legged tie, a third game will be played with the winner of the play-offs in Group IX waiting for opponents in a draw including the champs of all the groups. Therefore, there are three knockout stages to be played through single-legged ties that the UDA Academy youth squad will have to win if they want to make it to Segunda Division RFEF next season.
Match Information:
Juventud de Torremolinos CF: Ávila; Urbina, Lasly, Castillo, Ito (Chamorro, 66’), Amaya (Vergara, 76’), Javi López, Nacho Lapeira (Miguel García, 56’), Caturla (Gerrit, 56’), Gato (Oñate , 66’) and Dani.
UD Almería ‘B’: Diego Fuoli; Aitor Puñal, Ginés, Alex Mendes, Fermín, Andrei (Rafa Núñez, 71’), Avelino (Marciano, 56’), Kevin, Jean Marco, Gilbert and Raúl Caballero (Lokosa, 71’).
Goals: 1-0, 25’: Cat. 1-1 92’: Lokosa.
Referee: Pedro López Salinas from the Cadiz Referees School. He booked hosts Castillo and Javi López as well as visitors Avelino, Kevin Bautista and Rojas.
Observations: Matchday 34. Group IX of the Tercera Division RFEF. The final game of the regular season was played at the El Pozuelo Stadium (Torremolinos).