In a tense late-season clash, Eldense faced a crucial test that could shape their hopes of reaching the Second Division next year. The match took place at Real Murcia’s Enrique Roca stadium, where Fernando Estévez and his squad secured a difficult win amid pressure from a rival who kept the dream of a playoff alive for another week. The result carried silver lining for Eldense, but the road to promotion remained fraught with challenges.
Pedro Rojas
The start saw a Deportivo side that mixed fresh ideas with speed, including Manu Nieto in the front line to stretch the defense. The visitors began with intent and immediately tested the host through a dangerous free kick that carried real bite. Serna stood firm, denying a dangerous sequence and keeping the balance of play in a tight opening phase. The early pressure yielded a breakthrough for Eldense when Nieto created space on the right and delivered a precise ball to Bernal. The forward, after a decisive touch from Andalusia, found the smallest gap in the goal area and finished confidently past the keeper. News from Bilbao did not arrive to lift spirits fully, but the goal undeniably sharpened Eldense’s resolve.
Murcia responded with a renewed push as Arnau Ortiz took charge of the attack, supported by the craft of Pedro León. Ortiz produced several threatening moments before Alfon helped level the score with a low finish after a well-executed sequence down the left. The equalizer came as Murcia broke through on the counter, with Ortiz finishing through a composed move that ended in a powerful shot past Vallejo. The game swung into a balanced contest, with both sides chasing a decisive second goal and neither able to secure it in the opening exchanges of the second half.
The second period unfolded with both teams prioritizing attack while guarding against counterattacks. Serna and Vallejo produced several notable saves as the pace intensified. Manu Nieto again threatened with a clever sequence that nearly produced a second goal for Eldense, first with a tight heel strike and then on a rapid counter. Jorquera added further options off the bench as Eldense pressed for the eventual winner, though Murcia also created moments of danger as the match progressed. The contest looked destined to hinge on a single moment, and it arrived late when Diego González finished a counterattack with a left-footed strike in the 89th minute, sealing Eldense’s slender advantage in a match that carried heavy weight for both clubs’ ambitions.
Playoff against Celta B
As expected, Eldense faced a two-legged test to advance to the Second Division. The first leg would take place on Galician soil next week, with the return slated for the Nuevo Pepico Amat in a high-stakes rematch. Amorebieta had earned promotion after a standout second half of the campaign, yet questions persisted about the fairness of the administration’s decisions and the dynamics of two Basque clubs contending in the playoff scenario. The setup underscored a controversial finish to the season but also highlighted Eldense’s determination to push deeper into the promotion race.
Eldense is keen to navigate the playoff route with a clear plan and a belief that the path to the top tier is within reach. The team recognizes that success hinges on maintaining intensity, exploiting opportunities in both boxes, and leveraging the support of their home fans for the decisive matches ahead. The playoff structure remains a proving ground, with every minute of the two-legged ties carrying weight for the club’s footballing future.
Match details showed the lineup arrangements and the tight margins that defined the encounter. Murcia lined up Serna in goal, with a defense anchored by González and Ganet, while Eldense set Vallejo in goal behind a back line featuring Pardo, Montes, Carnicer, and Nieto, among others. The on-field battle included several changes that tested depth and balance for both teams, with late substitutions shaping the closing stages. The final score lines and the way the match unfolded served as a reminder that promotion battles demand not just talent but endurance, tactical discipline, and a willingness to seize small windows of opportunity. The stakes were clear, and the players delivered a performance that reflected a season’s worth of effort and ambition.
GOALS: 0-1 at 10 minutes through Bernal. 1-1 at 38 minutes through Toril. 1-2 at 89 minutes through Diego González.
REFEREE: Abraham Dominguez Cervantes. Pardo issued cautions to Bernal, Forte, Javi Rueda, and Iñigo Piña.
STADIUM: Enrique Roca.