Elche CF has never played at Andorra FC’s home ground in the Second League. It will debut in this category at the Estadi Nacional this Sunday, although there are few precedents for Second B and the last one was in the 1996-1997 season.
This victory was very important for the coach of that time. Fabriciano González Penelas, “Fabri”. First because of the rival, then the leader of Second B. And then because of the circumstances. In many areas the playing field was protected by the snow that had fallen in the previous hours. As Elche journalist from the Ser Pepe Morago network recalls: “Elche last visited Andorra in the 1996-97 season and they won 0-1 with a goal from Hellín striker Eloy Jiménez. From UD Las Palmas. There was a lot of snow that weekend and the game was almost postponed, but eventually the Joint Stadium workers, now National, removed the snow, there was no more precipitation and the game could be played. “I remember my colleagues Santiago Gambín, Paco Gómez and Julián Palomar were on this trip.”
This last editor, who was then in charge of Sport in Elche, He wrote in his history: “Despite the very poor condition of the pitch, the Franjiverdes played practical football what carried them to victory… These three points should serve to calm the atmosphere and begin the climb towards the lead. “Yesterday the people of Elche showed that they have a great team.”
Then, Iru, ALberto, Sergio, Gustavo, Juanmi, Manel, Héctor (min. 73), Jaume, Paco García, Emilio, Olsson (Moreno, min. 84) and the striker, who entered the game in the minute, joined the game. set. 88 by Tarare.
To present
28 years later, Elche and Andorra faced each other once in this campaign. On October 9, Martínez was at Valero. The goal scored by Borja Garcés in the 89th minute did justice to what was seen on the field and gave Beccacece’s team a 2-1 victory at a very sensitive moment for the coach and his future.
In the first match between two teams in the silver category, Elche established: San Román, Mario Gaspar, Bigas (Nico Castro, min. 84), Clerc, Lautaro Blanco (Tete Morente, min. 84); Josan (Carreira, min. 69), Febas, Nico Fernández, Fidel, Óscar Plano (Mourad, min. 69) and Sergio Léon (Borja Garcés, min. 75).
In front of more than 15,000 spectators, Franjiverde team played a much better game than its opponent. They took the lead with a goal from Óscar Plano in the 22nd minute. Scheidler equalized in the 64th minute and Garcés scored almost in stoppage time.
To go forward
The team has made progress since then and some of the guys who joined then are not available now. Sergio León seems to have completed his walk. Óscar Plano was injured for a long time. Lautaro Blanco does not trust Beccacece and may show up in this market. Like Josan and Fidel, who are still in the recovery process, Tete Morente could not count due to muscle discomfort.