Determined to extend the momentum, Eldense returned home and faced Nàstic with the Catalans tucked in behind, neutralizing their initial push. The tone of the game shifted as Ortuño seized the first local chance when Soberón carried the ball forward and barely cleared the field before the interval. Moments later, Soberón reappeared to deliver a shot that Manu García turned away with minimal effort. The final local action of the opening quarter belonged to Núñez, who parsed an upcoming post near the post with a wry caption.
Eldense shines after a slow start
It was only a matter of time before the home team asserted control, and Nàstic showed trouble creating chances. Yet Eldense pressed forward, testing the visiting defense and building momentum, while Raúl Agné’s squad began to feel the strain as the game opened up. The Catalans’ hopes for a quick breakthrough faded as Eldense gained traction with sustained pressure and smart distribution, making Gimnàstic rethink their approach.
The clearest moment for the Catalans came when Toni Abad’s shielding effort collapsed five minutes before the break, as he lunged to block a cross and Marc Álvarez hunted a dangerous space on the right. The winger mounted one last local opportunity, but his strike collided with a defender and stayed out of the net.
The second half unfolded with a complex script that lasted forty-nine minutes. Eldense faced a more dangerous visiting lineup featuring Aarón Rey and Pablo Fernández, a tall forward who began to control the defensive line. Earlier, Eldense had received a warning as Manu García had predicted Clemente’s fate, underscoring the tense mood on the field.
Alicante First RFEF set the stage for football
Not only did Eldense miss a key penalty, but five minutes later, a long ball seemed to drift away before a guest found the back of the net to take the lead. The breakthrough exposed weaknesses in Pablo Vallejo’s clearance and shifted the balance in favor of the visitors as the clock ticked away.
local feedback
A dull halftime reward did not deter Eldense, who continued to press into the Gimnàstic half. If they had a defined role before the break, it was sharpened by the home side’s growing advantage. Ortuño and Nieto drew, while pockets of pace and precision began to punish the visitors. Vallejo’s saves were critical as the Gimenástic defense faced relentless pressure. A late shot from the guest striker hit the post, keeping the scoreline tight.
The final ten minutes exploded with action as Eldense pressed repeatedly with crosses and corners. Many efforts looked certain to produce a goal, but the home side still searched for the meant to be comeback. The crowd stayed hopeful as a second strike might tip the balance in their favor.
Finish the match at Nuevo Pepico Amat.
2-1
An epic comeback for the home team to secure the victory it deserved from the outset. #EldenseNastic #AupaDeportivo
— CD Eldense SAD (@CD_Eldense) October 2, 2022
Estévez’s late changes proved effective. After a cross from the right, Pedro Kapo fired a shot at the near post that beat Manu García. The draw began to boil the home crowd, and two minutes later a ball into the box found its way into the chaos of the small area, ending with Juanto Ortuno steering the ball past the keeper. The finish crowned a feverish finale that rewarded local persistence and punished Gimnàstic for coming close but failing to convert when it mattered most.
DATA SHEET
ELDENSE: Vallejo, Toni Abad (Estacio, 73), Alex Martínez, Pardo, Ortuño, Soberón (Juanto Ortuno, 73), Carnicer (Cris Montes, 62), Núñez (Capó, 79), Nieto, Diego González and Clemente (Luque, 62).
GYMNÁSTIC: Manu García, Gorostidi (Pablo, 46), Robert (Aarón Rey, 46), Pedro Del Campo (Marc Trilles, 85), Quintanilla, Josema, Guille Fernández (Bonilla, 73), Tirlea, Joan Oriol, Montes Arce and Marc Álvarez (Pochettino, 68).
GOALS: 0-1 (50) Pablo Fernández. 1-1 (87) Title. 2-1 (89) Ortuño.
REFEREE: Morales Moreno (Andalusian committee). He warned Pardo and Carnicer for locals and Quintanilla and Pablo for visitors.
STADIUM: Nuevo Pepico Amat (Elda).