The elder statesman of the field asserted his typical leadership with balance and precision in a high-stakes clash at the Gimnàstic ground. Fernando Estévez’s squad showed patience when needed and unleashed the necessary intensity at decisive moments. Manu Nieto delivered a pair of goals that put three points on the board for Eldense on Catalan soil, strengthening the Castellón side’s position at the top of Group 2 in Primera RFEF by widening the gap to four points over the runner-up.
Eldense began with caution, yet they threatened when pace permitted. Guillermo worked hard to deny a Nàstic strike in the early exchanges as the visitors pressed from the start. The Nàstic forward sent a rebound high in the box and wasted two opportunities, despite seemingly favorable conditions. Vallejo faced a sharp test and, in a moment of misfortune, the ball rolled away after a deflected touch.
As time slipped by, the game carried a tense, tense energy, a tug of war for control. The flare of disruption arrived when Pablo Fernández, a key Catalan figure, picked up an injury and exited the field. Football never pauses, and Eldense threatened again as Nàstic prepared for a substitution, defending with grit near the touchline.
Manu Nieto rose highest to meet Álex Martínez’s left-flank cross, guiding the ball behind the goalkeeper with a precise header. The visitors found themselves on top as local frustration grew, and the sequence signaled a renewed momentum in Eldense’s favor for a course that would push them toward a wider lead.
Eldense, two-month leaders
The goal settled Eldense into a more composed rhythm, weighing on a Nàstic side that began to hear the crowd’s murmur rise in intensity. At the edge of a timeout, Estévez’s squad earned a downfield free kick after Carnicer’s shot skewed wide, a moment that sharpened the edge of the contest.
No local reaction
With time running short for a comeback, Eldense pressed to extend their advantage after the break. A cross from the left again found Nieto, this time finished with a confident right-footed strike. The move reinforced the manager’s decision to deploy Nieto as a primary attacking reference alongside Soberón, who had started the day on the bench.
Any hope of a late twist faded around the half-hour mark after a reckless challenge led to a red card for Peter, leaving Nàstic with a heavy dent in their efforts. The stadium’s atmosphere reflected the hosts’ growing frustration as the match drifted toward its conclusion.
The closing minutes belonged to Eldense as they gathered momentum and added two more goals to seal the result. Jorquera capped a brilliant solo effort by Estacio on the right wing, finishing cleanly to make it 0-3, while Cristian López added a late strike with a powerful shot from close range after Nieto’s move in the area. The victory solidified Eldense’s standing and reinforced their candidacy for direct promotion to the Second Division, as the team showed cohesion and clinical finishing when it mattered most.
Final whistle: Nou Estadi Costa Dorada celebrates a convincing win for Eldense.
0 4 0 4
Outside the new Pepico Amat, a committed road victory of the entire squad #NasticEldense #aupadportivo
— CD Eldense SAD
match report
GYMNASTIC: Manu Garcia; Trilles, Pedro, Montalvo, Pablo Fernández (Aarón Rey, 24′), Nile (Andy, 46′), Guillermo (Álvarez, 82′), Tirlea (Simón, 82′), Joan Oriol, Marc Fernández (Gorostidi, 69′), Montes.
ELDENSE: Vallejo; Toni Abad, Álex Martínez, Cris Montes (Estacio, 59′), Ortuño (Bernal, 75′), Carnicer (Jorquera, 56′), Manu Nieto, Carlos Hernández, Diego González (Pajarero, 75′), Capó, Juanto (Cristian López, 75′).
GOALS: 0-1 (23′) Manu Nieto. 0-2 (52′) Manu Nieto. 0-3 (81′) Jorquera. 0-4 (84′) Cristian López.
REFEREE: Jose David Martínez Montalban. Diego González cautioned Carlos Hernández and Juanto. Pedro was sent off for a second yellow card at 66′.
STADIUM: Nou Estadi Costa Dorada.