Intercity Opens the Season with a Victory over Numancia
The season began with Intercity aiming for a strong start, and they did not disappoint. A goal from Serbian Kecojevic sealed the win as Alicante’s side demonstrated their growing ambitions. This marked their first encounter in the First RFEF against a rookie opponent like Numancia, both teams having earned promotion to their current leagues last season. The calendar set up an opening-day clash that promised excitement and delivered it.
As the saying goes, the first strike can set the tone. Intercity came out on top, collecting three points and earning momentum on the first matchday, a result that positions them in the upper tier of the standings early on.
The match opened with a balanced and intense tempo, a duel between two clubs eager to impress on their debut. The early phase favored the visitors from Soria, who asserted control, but Intercity, guided by coach Gustavo Siviero, managed to steady the ship and curb threatened dangers with disciplined defending and focused midfield pressure.
Early in the action, the visitors’ set pieces created notable danger. Pol Rogé forced a save from Isma Gil with a sharp free kick, and fifteen minutes in there was another foul that tilted the balance toward a cautious, tactical contest. By the 20th minute, play had leveled as both sides worked to establish rhythm and control.
Intercity began to look more dangerous, pressing higher and testing Numancia’s back line. A sequence culminated in a corner after a sequence that began with a flick from middle and ended at the far post, testing the visitors’ resolve at 26 minutes.
Numancia responded with urgency after the first sustained pressure from Intercity, arriving just after the half hour with a solid defensive effort to blunt the threat and keep the scoreline even, as Vadik Murray was called upon to clear multiple forays from the Alicante side.
As the half wore on, both teams continued to push for an advantage. Alicante tried again with a direct ball into the penalty area, Ferroni delivering a shot that sailed just wide as the interval approached, leaving the game goalless at the break.
Second-half improvements
The second half started with Intercity stepping onto the field with renewed resolve. They pressed with greater intensity, maintaining possession and creating faster transitions, while Numancia looked to strike on the counter. Miguel Mari had a chance early after the restart, but the home defense closed ranks to deny him.
Numancia found a warning when David drilled a shot from the edge of the box in the 59th minute, narrowly missing the target and signaling that the visitors would not go quietly. Nevertheless, Siviero’s squad stayed focused on their plan to seize control and push for the winner.
That turning moment arrived in the 62nd minute. Kecojevic converted a Ferroni free kick, directing the ball into the net and giving Intercity the lead they had sought. The goal boosted their confidence and intensified their assault on Numancia’s defense, which faced relentless pressure as the clock moved toward the late stages.
With Intercity’s advantage, the match opened up as opportunities followed one another. A late effort from Etxaniz glanced off the far post in the 74th minute, illustrating the persistent threat posed by Alicante’s attack even as Numancia fought to stay in the contest.
Numancia’s priority remained clear: to challenge Intercity and extract something from the trip to Alicante, with the next fixture against Real Murcia looming on the horizon. The visitors did not relent, but Intercity stood firm and closed out a deserved victory.
Data sheet:
Numancia: Isma Gil, Valín, Simic, Gorka, Jaume Pol, Sánchez, Bonaldo, Cotán, Rubén Mesa, David González, Moha, Mancebo. Substitutions: Jordi Tur, Mahicas, Carrillo, Amorrortu. Coaching staff adjustments followed as the game developed.
Intercity: Manu Herrera, Emilio Nsue, Kecojevic, Vadik, Ferroni, Angong, Undabarrena, Miguel Mari, Cristian Herrera, Pol Roigé, Etxaniz. Substitutions: Bellotti, Soldevilla, Carmona, Xemi. The lineup underlined the balance between defense and attacking options available to the home side.
AIM: 0-1, 62 minutes, Kecojevic.
Referee: Munoz Stone. Yellow cards: Bonaldo (Numancia), Kecojevic, Emilio Nsue (Intercity).
Stadium: Little Birds of Soria.