Match Report: VCF Mestalla end first group stage with away loss to CD Alcoyano (2-1)

VCF Mestalla visited CD Alcoyano on Sunday 21st of March at El Coyao at 12 pm kick-off time for the final fixture of the first group stage of the season on matchday 18 in group III-B of Segunda B. 

The game saw two goals in either half to the home side and VCF Mestalla cut the deficit in the closing minutes and tried to salvage a draw until the very end.

VCF Mestalla wanted to end the first group stage of the season having as many points as possible going into the second group stage to fight for safety in the Segunda División B.   

VCF Mestalla were off to an ambitious start to the game playing a high line and having a few forays and efforts from José David and Esquerdo which went over the crossbar in the first minutes of the match.

Alas, Mourad Daoudi made it 1-0 to CD Alcoyano just eight minutes into the match. The goal did not change VCF Mestalla’s game plan who kept on looking for an equaliser.

Fran Pérez had two dangerous chances but José Juan was equal to them and he even pulled off a save to a fine Gozálbez drive.

 The first half finished 1-0 to CD Alcoyano.

Pablo Gozalbéz had the first chance of the second half right after the restart with a great header which almost went in and Alberto Rubio responded at the other end but Unai Etxebarria kept it out.

VCF Mestalla kept on pushing with dangerous forays down the wings from Fran Pérez down the right, and Jesús Vázquez down the left with nobody getting on the end of either of them.

Raúl González made it 2-0 to CD Alcoyano on the hour mark and right away Óscar Férnandez made attacking some substitutions looking for a lifeline in the game. 

The changes had an impact and led to Jesus Vázquez goal following a great surging run down the left wing who delivered a teasing ball into the box which was diverted home by a CD Alcoyano defender.    

VCF Mestalla’s goal gave them some urgency and they kept on pushing for an equaliser until the very last minute but they came away unrewarded for their troubles and the game finished 2-1 to CD Alcoyano.

VCF Mestalla will return to action from the 4th of April to fight for safety in the Segunda B in a new group made up by the bottom four sides from groups III A and III B respectively.

Match Details:

2.- CD Alcoyano: José Juan, Primi, Raúl González, Juanan, Mourad (Raíllo, m. 67), Alberto Rubio (Juli, m. 61), Omar Ramos (Pablo Carbonell, m. 61), Jordan, Jorge Moltó (Solbes, m. 76), Ángel y Ali Diakité (Jony Ñíguez, m. 67)

1.- VCF Mestalla: Unai, J. Vázquez, Adri Gómez, F. Navarro, Esquerdo, José David, K. Koba Leïn (Carlos Glez, m. 62), Gozálbez (I. Ouattara, m. 77), William .C (F. García, m. 74), Fran Pérez (D. Ruiz, m. 74) y Facu (Sibille, m. 62)

Goals: 1-0, m. 8 Mourad; 2-0, m. 60 Raúl González; 2-1, m. 78 J. Vázquez

Referee: Gerard Brull Acerete. Booked Jorge Moltó, Juanan, Mourad for CD Alcoyano and Facu, Joseda, F. García for VCF Mestalla.   

Observations: Matchday 18 in group III-B of Segunda B held at El Collao municipal stadium before 150 spectators.