Match Report: VCF Mestalla fall to defeat in second phase opener away to RCDE (2-1)

VCF Mestalla took on Real Club Deportivo Espanyol B on resurrection Sunday on the opening fixture of the second phase which ended in a 2-1 defeat away to Real Club Deportivo Espanyol B.

Fran Navarro gave VCF Mestalla the lead but saw two further set-piece goals from Pedro Torres and Jutgla turning the game on its head to achieve victory for RCDE B.

Both b teams came out looking to hit the ground running in this second phase. VCF Mestalla fielded a three-man backline and two attacking  sweepers trying to hit Real Club Deportivo Espanyol B showing their stalls out in attack through a Fran Pérez effort and a corner kick in the opening minute. Soon after, Koba Leïn got a powerful low drive which troubled Fortuño. 

RCD Espanyol tried to dominate possession through Rubén Sanchez forays down the right flank which were dealt with by the VCF Mestalla and Unai also turned away a Gori effort.  

Fran Navarro broke the deadlock following a fine Esquedo move who won the ball back and played Fran Navarro onside inside the 18 yard box following an exchange with Gozálbez. 

Fran Navarro’s opener halfway through the first half gave the team a boost so much so that came mighty close to doubling their lead but Fortuño turned it behind for a corner kick.

Pedro Torres made it 1-1 to RCD Espanyol over the half-hour mark. The Catalan side came close to scoring shortly after through Iván Gil but his effort went straight into the side-netting to which Fran Navarro responded at the other end which went straight into the side-netting. 

The first half finished 1-1 between RCD Espanyol and VCF Mestalla.

 The second half started at a higher tempo with both sides arriving in the opposition box, VCF Mestalla wanting to dominate possession and creating danger from dead-ball situations. 

Alas, Jutgla made it 2-1 to RCD Espanyol over the hour mark. After the goal, both coaches made changes with Óscar Fernández making all five in a few minutes looking for a reaction from the team. 

Fran Navarro had a great effort on target which was turned away by Ortuño and a further chance from David Ruiz which forced Otuño into a save. The match ended in a 2-1 defeat despite having taken the lead.

Match Report:

RCD Espanyol B: A. Fortuño, Rubén Sánchez, Nil, Genar, Alejandro Pérez, Villahermosa, Becerra (Raigal, m. 69), Iván Gil (Nabil, m. 62), Jutglà (Max, m. 69), Pedro Torres (Mahicas, m. 69) and Gori (Recasens, m. 79)

VCF Mestalla: Unai, J. Vázquez, G. Molina, Adri Gómez (H. González, m. 78), F. Navarro, Esquerdo (F. García, m. 78), José David (Estacio, m. 78), Sibille, K. Koba Leïn, Gozálbez (D. Ruiz, m. 70) and Fran Pérez (William .C, m. 70)

Goals: 0-1, m. 22 Fran Navarro; 1-1 m. 33 Pedro Torres; 2-1, m. 69 Jutglá.

Referee: Cambronero González. Booked Genar, Gori, Nil and Recasens for RCD Espanyol B and G. Molina and F. García for VCF Mestalla. 

Observations: Opeining fixture of the second phase in group III-B of Segunda B held at the Ciudad Deportiva Dani Jarque in front of around 150 spectators in attendance.