Hercules stepped onto the pitch on the fourth day eager to declare themselves again. The club talked up a fresh run of wins while the artificial turf promised to keep producing quality football every day. Diego Lorenzo earned a surprise starting spot for Torrecilla, a move caused by Mendes being unavailable due to an injury. The rest of the lineup remained intact from the side that had previously defeated Torrent through solid organization, with Carlos de la Nava continuing to anchor the midfield. Sant Andreu arrived with questions about their defense, a team that had conceded four goals in their only home appearance. The atmosphere was electric, the stands packed with blue and white fans whose energy traveled with a few supporters displaced from Alicante, instantly noticeable from the opening whistle.
The match began with Hercules displaying a compact, confident brand of football. From the first seconds, the Alicante team created space and movement, building attacks with purpose. Alvarito and Carlos de la Nava stood out for their sharp reads of the game, while Ketu, pressed hard by the hosts, found pockets of activity that kept the visitors honest. A shot kissed the post and another bounce off the crossbar signaled their intent to break through. Yet as the minutes passed, the initial pressure faded, and the visitors settled into a more balanced rhythm. The home team remained solid at the back, denying easy openings and maintaining a vertical shape that allowed quick transitions on the counter. The early tempo suggested another entertaining evening, with Hercules looking to impose their pace while Sant Andreu waited for chances on the break.
Pressure swelled after Torrecilla’s side lost control near midfield. That lapse freed Hercules from heavy defensive duties and sharpened the intensity of their collective game. On several occasions, the visitors found themselves hemmed in and unable to piece together a meaningful response. The only flaw in the afternoon was the clock ticking away while no goal found its way to the scoreboard. Sant Andreu exploited this moment to strike back through a smart counter-attack that yielded a breakthrough just after the hour mark. Ernest Forgà⎯a player whose movement had been tricky all afternoon⎯finished calmly at the start of the second half, giving the visitors a lead and nudging Alicante further down the table for the first time this campaign.
The remainder of the match unfolded with improvisation and bold risk-taking. Hercules pushed forward with local energy, seeking a late, decisive score, but opportunities were scarce. Lorenzo did level the score with a well-timed finish, only for the ball to strike the post and bounce away. The stadium roared as Hercules pressed on, believing the equalizer was inevitable. Then, as if fate had other plans, Josu mounted a swift counter and struck again, restoring Sant Andreu’s advantage. A fortunate rebound in another quick counter sealed a 3-1 result for the visitors. The defeat marked Hercules’ first of the season, a costly reminder that even strong starts can finish on a sour note if chances aren’t converted and counterattacks stay lethal. The game began confidently for the home team but ended with a harsh lesson about balance, discipline, and the precise execution required to close out a contest against a determined opponent. This match reinforced how quickly momentum can shift in football, and it set a clear course for both teams as the season pressed forward, with Sant Andreu earning a valuable three points away from home and Hercules forced to reflect and regroup after a disappointing setback.