An autonomous duel this Saturday will pit Alcoyano against Castellón in a clash that could reshape the standings of the Second Group in the First Federation. The match at El Collao holds even more significance as it could crown a new era of regional competition, with the venue having seen a long stretch without a local victory spanning 18 years.
Both teams have shown solid momentum this season, and El Collao is expected to be packed, with reports suggesting up to 3,000 fan entries. The game is a critical asset for both clubs, entering a period of financial sensitivity around the ownership and management while the sport in the area continues to grow despite economic pressures.
The recent head-to-heads between Alcoyano and Castellón have intensified the rivalry across multiple divisions, from Regional to the First Federation. The first ever meeting between the clubs dates back to the 1935/36 season, when Alcoyano triumphed 5-0.
The most recent chapter of the dispute occurred earlier this year when Castellón’s visit to El Collao was postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak that affected nine Alcoyano players following a King’s Cup match against Real Madrid.
Return of Alcoyano’s leadership role in the league came with a 2-1 victory, a result that echoed through the season as confidence grew for the home side.
Another notable episode in this heated rivalry happened in October 2019, when Alcoyano, at that time a Third Division side under manager Vicente Parras, eliminated Castellón from the FA Cup on penalties after a 3-3 draw in extra time. Castellón, occupying La Plana, managed to advance in the league due to a misalignment by an Alcoyano player.
In the transfer market this summer, Castellón invested around 50,000 euros plus variables to sign Javi Antón, a prized product from Alcoyano’s youth system who will return to face his former club at El Collao this Saturday.
Historically, Alcoyano and Castellón have met in regular league play 18 times, with Alcoyano holding a positive record of seven wins, eight draws, and three losses, totaling 28 goals for and 18 against. The two sides have faced each other once in the First Division, finishing level in a 1-1 draw during the 1945/46 season. Their three matches in the Second Division all favored Alcoyano.
Yet Alcoyano has not defeated Castellón in regular league play for 18 years, a streak extending since the 2004/05 season when a 1-0 result was the last time Alcoyano took points from the visitors. The most recent encounters in El Collao ended in a win for Castellón or drawn results in the last two visits, with the balance tipping toward Castellón in recent years.
The upcoming match is more than just a league fixture. It could lift one team into a leadership position if Eldense falters, marking a pivotal moment for the host club in a season that could define its trajectory for the rest of the campaign. For Castellón, a victory would reinforce a push to return to the higher tier and secure a longer run at the top of the table after the disruptions caused by the pandemic.