Match Report: VCF MESTALLA snatch late win against Nffc FC B (0-1)

VCF Mestalla beat Nottingham Forest FC B in a hard-fought open game with a flurry of chances in the first half and some clear-cut ones through Javi Navarro, Jaume Durà and Marco Camus. VCF Mestalla managed to snatch a last-gasp win through Joselu to pick up back-to-back wins in the Premier League International Cup.

Fotos: Ritchie Sumpter (NFFC)

VCF Mestalla fielded a much-changed lineup with many absentees on international duty or through injury, they took the game to the opposition right from the off. Paulino and Aimar linked up in attack with through balls in behind the opposition's backline and long-range efforts from outside the box. Marco Camus' effort whistled over the crossbar

VCF Mestalla dominated the early stages of the game, but were unable to find a clear-cut chance against a Nottingham Forest FC side that did not come close to Nil Ruiz's goal until after the half-hour mark, with Fin Back's side-footed effort and another from Jack Nadin both of which were firmly saved by the keeper.

Shortly before the break VCF Mestalla stretched again and looked for the Forest goal with Daniel Paulino's shot on goal, a little bitten, after a cross from the right from a good move between Jaume Durà and Isma Santana.

In the second half, VCF Mestalla came out with a bit more bite in the first action with a deep pass from Daniel Paulino to Jaume Durà whose cross was met by Marco Camus to provoke the first corner of the game. From the corner, the same Jaume Durà shot high from the edge of the area. Forest also had a great chance when Nadin failed to make the most of an let-off at the start of the game.

VCF Mestalla brought on Álex Cerdá and Javi Navarro and looked for more of the English goal, first with a cross from Javi Navarro inside the area that the goalkeeper had trouble keeping out, and then with a shot from Jaume Durà from Santana's cross, the El Palomar man's volley fizzed just wide of the post.

Nottingham Forest also had a clear chance when Nil Ruiz denied Nil Ruiz with a close-range shot from a cross. Minutes later, the goalkeeper again saved a dangerous Perkins shot with a great save.

VCF Mestalla, who introduced more attacking changes with the introduction of Joselu and Diego Moreno, came close to taking the lead in a long combination that Marco Camus rolled a whisker wide just wide of the post.

Near the end of the 90th minute, VCF Mestalla were rewarded for their persistence when Joselu was on hand to latch onto a ball in the six-yard box after Santana's fine cross from the right and finally beat the England goalkeeper to claim a second successive Premier League International Cup win after beating Tottenham Hotspurs 1-3 on the opening day.

The next PL International Cup fixture will take place in December against Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.  

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