Alcoyano must beat relegated Mérida to start the year strong
Santiago Dura
Local supporters quickly moved toward the Palomares area, driven by a confident, direct style suited to exploiting the spaces on the wings rather than trying to thread through a compact central defense.
Alcoyano began with three consecutive corner kicks. About fifteen minutes before kickoff, Pradera challenged the Extremaduran goalkeeper, prompting Parras to react. The team pressed with set pieces, and Parras stretched to reach a dangerous ball when Lara connected with a powerful shot that found the guest net.
Mérida did not threaten the wild zone until the half hour mark. Their first real chance came from a hard shot that Valensa blocked.
Mérida showed more local intent and direct play, but struggled to generate a cohesive attack. Deportivo Nieto intercepted a loose ball and slotted it sweetly into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead. In the closing minutes of the first half, both teams traded long balls and safe clearances in the local area.
Vicente Parras’ team took the field for the second half showing a willingness to push higher up the pitch. Mérida appeared one of the more disciplined sides to visit El Collao, though their impact remained limited as the match unfolded.
Alcoyano kept the game simple and direct. Mérida offered little beyond a few incursions by Escardó’s squad who troubled the Valens post and forced Sandoval to dart across the goal mouth.
Most of the second period was marked by aerial play and contact battles in midfield. Alcoyano produced a handful of attempts in the late stages of the match, led by Ganet and Agüero, but the finishing touch eluded them as the goal margin stayed tight.
Isma unleashed the final pressing flurry on a still cautious Mérida side that carried scant cutting edge. Alcoyano clung to a modest but effective win that reinforced their momentum as the season progresses.
Vicente Parras: “Collao does not want us to play the football of Brazil in the 1970s.”
Information
A moment from the El Collao match on Wednesday
DATA SHEET:
Alcoyano: Valens, López, Farru, Primi, Vega, Nieto (Aguero, m.60), Albisua, Imanol, Armental (Javi Anton, m.60), Lara (Ganet, m.72) and Pradera (Raul Alcaina, m.72).
What are you doing? Palomares, Prada (Akito, m.72), Bonaque (Padilla, m.17), Acosta, Ismael, Sandoval, Alex Escardó (Mateo, m.89), Beneit, Pipe, Bourdal and Busi.
AIM: 1-0, m.39, Sergio Nieto.
JUDGE: Godiá Solé (Catalan committee). Yellow T: From locals to Sergi Lopez, Raúl Alcaina and visitors Sandoval, Padilla, Akito and Luis Acosta.
AREA: Matchday 18 of the Primera RFEF Group II League will be played in El Collao.
Javi Antón leaves Castellón and returns to his home in El Collao.
Deportivo Alcoyano announced the signing of Javi Antón yesterday. The 23-year-old right winger returns home after military service for the last two seasons at Kalelon. El Collao reached an agreement for the transfer from La Plana. A young player with projection who should push the squad forward.
Antón was courted by several teams, including Hércules, but decided to return to the club where he trained in his youth and played for two years. Between 2020 and 2022 in the first team. After spending time in Castellón, he returns with renewed enthusiasm and a desire to help.