Eldense moves confidently toward its goal of climbing into professional football’s second division, following a 2-0 win over La Nucía in a heated derby that benefited the home side not only in result but in performance. The duel underscored Eldense’s growing specialty and dominance as two Alicante-based clubs, both veterans of the RFEF Second Division last season, faced off again under markedly different circumstances.
Fernando Estevez’s squad delivered a standout performance, underscoring why they sit atop the table and reaffirm their status as the Primera RFEF’s breakout team. They have conceded only three goals across their last five matches and have gone three straight games without conceding, while suffering just one defeat in their previous eleven outings.
La Nucía approached the match with fresh energy at the Pepico Amat stadium, hoping to climb away from trouble, but they encountered the best version of Castellón, now second and seven points clear, as they prepared for a crucial clash against Amorebieta in the promotion race this Sunday afternoon.
From the opening minutes, Eldense pressed with rapid transitions and high tempo, immediately testing La Nucía with sustained attacking moves down the left flank that culminated in a direct effort toward goal.
The pace from the league leaders kept play in La Nucía’s half as the visitors absorbed pressure, but Eldense remained dangerous. In the first quarter hour, the hosts forced two shots on target that tested the goalkeeper’s reflexes. As the minutes passed, Eldense intensified their pressure, and the most clear moment of the match before the breakthrough came when Cris Montes sent a dangerous cross from the left that found Janto Ortuño, whose header narrowly missed the mark as the danger grew. By then, Eldense had established clear dominance and field position favoring the home team.
Estévez’s side kept signaling the threat through constant forward runs and smart movement, laying the groundwork for the goal that finally arrived. In the 25th minute, Cris Montes converted an assist from Sergio Ortuño by striking a powerful shot from outside the area that eluded the goalkeeper. The hosts had already forced six attempts in the half while La Nucía had struggled to get comfortable on the ball and defend their goal.
Nevertheless, Montes’ goal did little to dampen Eldense’s ambition, as the team continued pressing for a second goal. Ackermann produced an excellent save late in the first half, denying Sergio Ortuño after a well-constructed sequence and keeping La Nucía within reach as the teams headed to the break with Eldense holding a slender lead and a sense of opportunity in their favor.
With Eldense’s lead, both sides headed to the dressing room, and the home team looked to reinforce dominance after halftime. At that moment, the visitors adjusted with substitutions in an attempt to flip the balance, but in the early moments of the second period, the changes did not yield the desired effect. Eldense continued to control the match, and dangerous moments persisted around Ackermann’s goal until Juanto Ortuño extended the advantage with a sharp finish on a corner routine that found the far post, tipping the momentum further in the hosts’ favor.
Eldense, two-month leader

The second goal felt almost inevitable, and it arrived as the match wore on. Eldense, maintaining their high rhythm from the opening whistle, continued to press La Nucía without allowing the visitors to settle. The home side managed the pace effectively, avoiding unnecessary risks while seeking another breakthrough. One late chance nearly increased the tally when Xavi Estacio sent a powerful shot that struck the post just before the hour mark, keeping the scoreline at 2-0 and preserving the team’s advantage as time dwindled.

Eldense-La Nucia: Crossroads in opposite directions
La Nucía’s defense, anchored by the goalkeeper and backline, held firm as they tried to spark counterattacks whenever Eldense pressed high. The visitors found it tough to break through the home team’s organized structure, with Guille Vallejo and the rest of Eldense’s lines stalwartly resisting any dangerous plays in and around the box. The afternoon demonstrated Eldense’s solidity at the back and effectiveness in transition, making life difficult for La Nucía across the full 90 minutes.
After collecting three more points, Estevez’s table-toppers head to Cornellà in the next round, aiming to defend their elevated form against a mid-table opponent in what promises to be another test of consistency and concentration.
DATA SHEET:
CD ELDENSE: Guille Vallejo, Toni Abad, Álex Martínez, Fernando Pajarero, Cris Montes, Sergio Ortuño (Álex Bernal, 82), Fran Carnicer (Xavi Estacio, 69), Manu Nieto (Cristian López, 82), Carlos Hernández, Pedro Capó (Núñez, 61) and Juanto Ortuño (Mario Soberón, 69).
CF LA NUCÍA: Ackermann, Ángel López (Javi Gómez, 51), Dasquet (Bustillo, 80), Adri León, Eneko, Fer Pina, Juan Delgado (Javi Martín, 69), Ismael (Borjita, 46), Álex Salto, Josema (Josan Romera, 46) and Mariano.
JUDGE: Abraham Dominguez Cervantes. He showed yellow cards to Pedro Capó, Miguel Nuñez and Fernando Pajarero for Eldense, and Dasquet and Álex Salto for La Nucía.
TARGETS: 1-0, 25 minutes, Cris Montes. 2-0, 54 minutes, Juanto Ortuño.
STADIUM: The new Pepico Amat.