An outstanding season for Eldense Sports Club culminated in a remarkable return to the Second League, a full sixty years after their last appearance. The team sat four points away from promotion and seven from safety, while a string of seven straight league matches without defeat underscored their resilience. The Blaugranas, led by coach Fernando Estévez, forged an identity that emphasized collective effort; every player contributed max effort, a hallmark of a squad that presses, defends, and attacks with unity.
The squad experienced a mix of results across the 16 initial fixtures. Even in losses, there were signs of promise, and the team often converted difficult moments into opportunities. A key note from the season was the struggle to close out matches; there were occasions when the team controlled large portions of games but found it challenging to seal the result. After a tough draw with Mirandés, Estévez acknowledged that his Burgos counterparts earned a point they barely deserved, highlighting the fine margins that defined the campaign.
Barbu’s late goal brought back memories of Chiki’s decisive strike against Alcorcón in recent months. It felt like a two-point swing from a situation that could have ended with a win, reflecting the volatility of close contests. In a match that followed a different arc than the one in Cornellá, a late-armed momentum shift led to extra time where Espanyol’s scoreline stood at 3-3 after a 12th-minute penalty in the extra period.
Estévez takes responsibility for Mirandés’ equalizer: “I decided to structure the team this way”
With six points still on the table to secure direct promotion or avoid relegation, Eldense remained in contention for the top tier, and Estévez stressed maintaining a constructive outlook after each game. The team’s steady progress manifested in a milestone: reaching the 50-point mark days before the season’s end, a sign of consistency and growing confidence.
After the latest draw, Timor spoke about the bittersweet nature of the result and the sense that the season had momentum but could slip away if not managed carefully. Mario Soberón’s brace provided a bright note in the stalemate, and he reflected on opportunities created and missed, underscoring the importance of staying committed to the team’s collective work. The sentiment was echoed by others who recognized that football is a game of opportunities and accountability, where each effort is crucial to the bigger picture.
Huesca and Jaén, another story
Not all the season carried a negative tone for Eldense. In later fixtures, the team managed to secure a win at Huesca and earned pivotal points as the campaign moved into the closing stages. Soberón’s late 96th-minute goal sealed the victory in Aragon, and Eldense also made a notable run in the Copa del Rey with a comeback against Real Jaén in the final moments of regulation, underscoring the squad’s resilience across competitions.
A second-half surge, led by Eddie Salcedo and finished by Soberón, provided Eldense a fresh three points in a crucial league encounter with Huesca. That strike became a catalyst for improved momentum, reinforcing Estévez’s approach and the team’s readiness to compete during the relegation stage and beyond. From the 90th minute onward, Eldense found themselves scoring more frequently, shifting from a period of tightened defense to a more aggressive, late-game impact that helped reshape the standings and expectations for the remainder of the season.
Throughout the campaign, the defense and attack found a more balanced rhythm. Four goals conceded, three against, and one in favor from late interventions highlighted both the vulnerabilities and the improvements that defined Eldense’s approach as the season progressed. The coach worked to correct gaps in the squad’s defensive organization after a tough defeat, ensuring the team could absorb pressure and respond with disciplined, purposeful play.