HE Vinalopó state derby this season features Elche’s relegation and Eldense’s promotion, returning to Elda this Sunday at 16:15. The forecast points to overcast skies with temperatures around 22 to 24 degrees. Nuevo Pepico Amat is expected to host a historic match, a fixture not played under these conditions for 65 years and 20 days.
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Only once
Both teams have faced each other mainly in friendlies and in the Copa del Rey, but there is only one league meeting between Eldense and Elche in the Second Division era. That single league clash occurred on September 21, 1958, when Elche visited the Vinalopó city stadium then known as El Parque and secured a convincing 1-4 win. A report published two days later in INFORMACIÓN, titled “Júbilo en Elche,” noted that the match concluded with the expected result. The newspaper of the time ran just 12 pages.
Elche later appeared as a lineup including Isidro, González, Mezquita, Quirant, Rico, Gómez, Martí (scored), Nito (also scored), Cardona (two goals), Guerrero and César Rodríguez.
Carlos Ruiz scored for Eldense, joined by Castaños, Bellido, Andrés, Marco, Esparza, Paco Grande, Foncho, Enguídanos, Nicieza and Mundo.
Chronic
The then editor of INFORMACIÓN wrote from Elche, describing a match where the Franjiverde team arrived with optimism and calm. The team directed by César managed to keep the squad cohesive, while supporters and directors showed strong unity in backing their decisions. Local fans expressed happiness with Eldense, who accepted defeat with dignity and appreciation for the performance on the field.
Elche’s victory in Elda was greeted with great joy by the fans, and the journey to Elche was met with broad satisfaction in the city known for its palm trees. The historian noted that Elche had risen from the Third Division and that some had doubted whether the club would reach the Second Division again, but optimism persisted about progress through the season, with the potential for promotion to the top tier after several campaigns in the higher leagues.
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In a retrospective, the Blaugrana side faced relegation to the Third League and later returned to the Second Division, with renewed competition in the early 60s.
Elche and Eldense met again in the 1958-1959 season at Altabix, where the Franjiverdes triumphed 3-1 on January 11, 1959.
4 times in the cup
In league play, Eldense and Elche have only one regular-season meeting, but cup clashes add more history. Provincial cups occurred four times in knockout rounds. The earliest example came before a league match in the previous season, with Elche winning 4-2. It took forty years to see the teams meet again. In the 1983-1984 campaign Elche won both legs of the tie (1-2 at Elda and 1-0 at home). Shortly after, another derby occurred, with two legs decided by penalties. The last official meeting in the knockout phase happened in the 1991-1992 season. In the first leg Eldense won 1-0, and Elche responded with a 3-0 victory in the return.