Intercity opens the season with a tough loss in Huelva
Intercity headed to Huelva to kick off the 2023/24 First RFEF campaign but left empty handed after a rigorous test against Recreativo. The match featured a team newly promoted to this level taking a strong early lead and holding on through most of the game, despite a late push from the visitors.
In the early stages, Intercity appeared capable of seizing the moment. The Alicante club created a few bright moments, yet the home side managed to tilt the ground in their favor before the break. A strategic strike near the end of the first half widened the deficit, and the hosts carried a two-goal cushion into the locker room. The opening goal came from a well-executed sequence that tested Intercity’s back line, while a second goal just before the whistle underscored Recreativo’s control of the match at that point.
After the restart, Alejandro Sandroni’s squad pushed to change the narrative. The visitors sought to reduce the deficit and force a shift in momentum, yet the response from Recreativo remained tight and punctuated by compact defending and decisive counter moments. A goal from Caye Quintana extended the lead, and Intercity’s attempt to rebound was checked by continued resistance from the home side.
MATCH OVERVIEW
The starting lineup for the hosts included a solid back line and a proactive midfield, with several players stepping up to shield the defense and launch quick transitions. The visitors lined up with a mix of experienced campaigners and younger talents eager to make an impact, preserving balance across the pitch as the game unfolded. The scoreboard eventually reflected the hosts’ efficiency in front of goal and their ability to close gaps, while Intercity’s efforts produced a single, late consolation effort that did little to alter the final result.
GOALS: 1-0 (13′) Núñez; 2-0 (45′) Antonio Dominguez; 3-0 (52′) Caye Quintana; 3-1 (61′) [consolation by Intercity].
REFEREE: Manuel Garcia Gomez. Núñez cautioned Gorka and Guillem Jaime for disciplinary actions during the match.
STADIUM: Nuevo Colombino, Huelva, a venue known for its tight atmosphere and supportive home crowd that seemed to lift Recreativo at crucial moments.