Alcoyano seeks a third straight win
Alcoyano’s mood lifted once again under the guidance of Vicente Parras as the team aimed for a third consecutive victory. The match appeared headed for a draw after Antequera took the lead through Lautaro, only for Alcaina to level with a late penalty in the 94th minute, keeping the hosts in the hunt for three points.
It was a test of belief. The situation looked grim when the local side faced several refereeing decisions that unsettled their rhythm, including a disputed offside call in the buildup to the 0-1 score and a late onfield confrontation that was not punished with a red card as some believed it should have been. The forward Alcaina eventually found the net for his first goal of the season, a moment that produced a fervent celebration after a prolonged drought since May.
Antequera began the contest with the initiative, making life difficult for Alcoyano. Loren earned a forward foul that set the stage for Chema Núñez to strike the woodwork, with Valens narrowly clearing the rebound before Lautaro arrived to tuck away the loose ball. After the breakthrough, the Andalusians settled somewhat, while Alcoyano grew into the game, threatening through a cross from the right that Juanan connected with and sent narrowly off Kameni’s post as the Cameroonian keeper scrambled back to cover his near post.
Alcaina returns to impact
In the second half Parras made two significant changes in an attempt to alter the tempo. The introductions of Antón and Armental added urgency, and shortly after his return Armental helped set up the equalizer with a composed maneuver down the left. Although the initial shot drifted wide, Lautaro appeared to guard his own goal, deflecting the attempt into his net and leveling the score at 1-1 as the contest approached the late stages.
With the score tied, the match intensified and discipline on the field became crucial. A sequence of yellow cards followed, and the officials counted a number of bookings as the clash grew more combative. A controversial moment emerged when a clear foul on Fermín by López did not offend the referee into a direct sending off, despite arguments from the crowd and players alike.
Because there is no VAR in Primera RFEF, a late decision by the officials reshaped the closing stages. In a moment of confusion, Alcoyano threaded a through pass to Alcaina, leaving him one-on-one with Kameni. The assistant referee raised the flag, halting the move and calling for a replay. In that later sequence, Alcaina was forced to acknowledge responsibility for the decision, and the match drifted toward a late twist as the ball paused in the air and the whistle eventually followed.
Sergio Nieto: “A win against Antequera would change how the second round is viewed”
The late drama did not erase the sense of progress. Alcoyano pressed forward with determination, and a high ball into the area enabled Juanan to win the aerial duel and finish decisively, right as Fomeyem arrived to apply pressure from behind. Alcaina also accepted responsibility for a decision that had kept the door open for the visitors. The three points were secured, lifting Alcoyano to a total of 25 points after a demanding first phase of the campaign.
MATCH COMMITTEE
ALCOYANO: Valence; López, Jean Paul, Primi, Álvaro Vega, Nieto, Albisua, Antón, Imanol, Armental, Juanan, Lara, Pradera. Substitutes: Farru, De Palmas, Alcaina, 46′ replacement entries included Antón, 54′ Alcaina.
ANTEQUERA: Kameni; David Rodríguez, César Sousa, Fomeyem, Lautaro, Fermín, Mena, Chema Núñez, Loren, Luismi Redondo, Luismi Gutiérrez, Ale García. Substitutes: Destiny, 71′ Daltron, 59′ Ale Marín, 83′ César Sousa, 59′ Aitor.
GOALS: 0-1 Lautaro, 13′; 1-1 Lautaro (own goal) 49′; 2-1 Alcaina (penalty) 90+4′.
REFEREE: David Cambronero González. Players singled out for verbal exchanges include Nieto, Primi, and Fermín.
STADIUM: El Collao.