Hercules falls 3-1 to UCAM Murcia in tense preseason clash
Hercules closed the warmup period with a 3-1 defeat against UCAM Murcia, leaving Ángel Rodríguez reflecting on a performance marked by defensive fragility early on, a sluggish start, and a lack of decisive attacking ideas at the outset. After conceding three, Ander Vitoria pulled one back and offered a glimpse of resilience, preventing a more damaging scoreline.
Two minutes in, Carlos Abad was forced into an early save from Manu Ramírez’s corner, a goalmouth scramble ending with an onrushing shot that tested the goalkeeper. Ángel Rodríguez’s squad arrived late on Sunday, paying the price for a hesitant opening in the encounter.
The early pattern featured several short corners and relentless pressure from UCAM, who soon broke the deadlock. In a sequence from a quick corner, Alfredo delivered to the far post where Rafa Chumbi rose to meet the ball, forcing a fingertip save from Abad that kept the gap from widening.
The contrast between the teams was evident. UCAM competed with vertical bursts and direct play, while Hercules made unforced errors that allowed the hosts to build momentum. A free kick from Manu Ramírez caused a moment of hesitation in the barrier, and the ball found its way into the net as the defense split and Abad could only watch it sail inside the right corner.
Hercules showed signs of life after ten minutes of pressure, finally asserting dominance for stretches and creating chances. Dylan connected with a long-range effort guided by a set piece, and the team began to test the frame and defense more consistently, though the final pass or finish often fell short.
UCAM remained dangerous on the counter and repeatedly sought to exploit every touch in Abad’s area. A close-range effort from Alfredo nearly doubled the lead, and a miscue by Dylan before the timeout allowed Torres to set up Alfredo for a second goal. Moments later, Rafa Chumbi found himself through on goal, but could not convert against Abad in time.
Ángel Rodríguez amended the approach at the start of the second half with two changes that introduced Nico and Maxi Ribero, signaling a shift in focus. The plan took hold briefly as Hercules pressed higher and forced a quicker tempo, with Pedro Torres stepping forward to contribute to the attack and spark a fresh sequence of plays.
The third goal eventually favored Hercules in a way that seemed to suit the visitors more, though UCAM remained capable of finishing counterattacks. Sergio Marcos fired from the wing, César Moreno delivered a dangerous cross that tested the defense near the bar, and Cedrés narrowly escaped a decisive moment as the goalkeeper kept the score at bay.
Raúl Ruiz posed a direct test on a sharp free kick that challenged Pau Torres. In a burst of individual brilliance, Jean Paul broke through and Ander Vitoria finished decisively for his first goal with the club, briefly restoring hope with a 3-1 scoreline in favor of Hercules at the end of regular play.
The game’s flow was unsettled by a flurry of substitutions and an injury to the referee, which disrupted the rhythm of the final period. UCAM appeared more settled in protecting their lead, while Hercules pressed to close the deficit but could not find a second breakthrough before the final whistle. The 3-1 result left Ángel Rodríguez’s squad reflecting on gaps in the opening moments and some unfulfilled potential as they prepare for the Mallorca tournament next week.
MATCH TABLE
UCAM Murcia: Pau Torres; Migue Marín, Fran Lara, Mario Abenza, Alfredo Gutiérrez, Manu Ramírez, Yasser, Diego Jiménez, Rafa Chumbi, Pedro Torres, Javi Pérez. They also played: José Fran, Sergio Cortés, Chuma, Javi Ramírez, Palomeque, Vicente, Isra Cano and Diego Iglesias.
Hercules: Carlos Abad; Felipe, Raúl Ruiz, Villacañas, Toscano, César Moreno, Marcelo, Ander Vitoria, Sergio Marcos, Dylan, Cristian Cedrés. They also played: Nico, Maxi Ribero, Jean Paul, Manu Navarro and Marcos Bravo.
Goals: 1-0 Rafa Chumbi (4′). 2-0 Alfredo Gutierrez (44′). 3-0 Pedro Torres (51′). 3-1 Ander Vitoria (67′).
Referee: Cuadrado Garcia. He cautioned César Moreno and Migue Marín.
Events: Friendly match played in La Condomina (Murcia).