Hercules Espanyol Ready for a tough test as they push for fourth place
Hercules Espanyol jumped into B court to continue their streak and beat their direct opponent to take fourth place. The coach, Lolo Escobar, chose a different path for this clash. With no natural forwards in the starting eleven, Jack Harper sat on the bench and Cedrés entered the fray to replace the suspended Jean Paul. Ahead of a talent-packed squad on the sidelines, the team faced a demanding stage with results that had been less than ideal recently. The Blue and Whites prepared for a challenge against a top-table opponent as the new phase began.
The match began with high energy. Hercules pressed with purpose and controlled the ball, setting a brisk pace from the outset. As the opponents pressed, the locals tightened the squeeze and began to impose their style. Michel Herrero threatened early with a grazing shot that skimmed the post. Alvarito stood out in attack, providing pace on the flanks and support from the fullbacks, while the team looked to create chances. The mood seemed brighter than the scoreboard, as Hercules showed intent to move in front. A shift in momentum occurred when Mario slipped between Abde, Roca, and Becerra, sparking a counter that put the opposition ahead. The hosts celebrated a lead that stemmed from a left-sided push, and Escobar’s squad spent the next stretch trying to recover their balance before the timeout left them with a renewed plan.
Turnaround arrived after the break. Hercules regained control as Espanyol waited for openings on the bench. Cedrés produced the first meaningful attempt, forcing a save from goalkeeper Fortuño. The home side struggled to find a consistent presence in the middle, missing a key link of the build-up. Escobar responded by shuffling the pieces, bringing on Jack Harper for Cedrés and repositioning Alvarito to better anchor the group. The game grew into a more open contest, with the host side pressing with renewed intent, though a decisive goal remained elusive. Possession remained a talking point in midfield as the teams traded moments on a knife-edge.
The pace intensified with two separate attacking actions from Raúl Ruiz and Nabil, both generating danger. Yet neither Harper nor Becerra could convert their chances in front of goal. The match evolved into a back-and-forth affair, with both sides seeking the decisive strike. Ruiz resurfaced later, but a clearance by Fortuño denied a promising moment for the guests. Hercules pressed for cohesion in the late stages, chasing a late equalizer that would salvage something from the fixture. In the end, the night carried a weight of disappointment for Escobar, as the result swung against his side and the fight for fourth place slipped away once more.