Orihuela CF played its second-to-last friendly of the preseason on a midweek fixture, a test that offered a clear picture of where the team stands as the campaign approaches. The club, competing in the third tier (Third RFEF) after transitions in recent years, faced Elche’s reserve squad in a match staged on the artificial turf and on a compact pitch that mimics the kind of spaces teams occasionally encounter in the lower tiers. The venue, Diego Quiles in Elche, presented a demanding setting: short touchlines, quick transitions, and a surface that can disrupt the rhythm of teams not yet fully accustomed to it. Oscar Sanchez, the head coach, had his squad stretch itself to adapt, and the result reflected both the learning curve and the level of the opponent it met on the day. Pipe scored first for the visiting team in the 21st minute, setting the tone for a contest that would eventually favor the hosts. Gallego added a second goal in the 69th minute to put Elche’s reserves ahead by a decisive margin. The visiting Orihuela side, known for their resilience, tried to close the gap in the latter stages as the scoreboard began to tell a tougher story for the visitors. Although Orihuela managed to reduce the deficit through a late intervention, there was not enough time left to complete a dramatic scramble for a comeback that would have left the scoreline more flattering.
The pre-season schedule continued to test the Scorpion team’s depth and tactical approach. A sense of unease crept in as the match wore on, highlighting the challenge of preparing a squad to adapt quickly to unfamiliar surroundings and surfaces. The athletes showed flashes of quality and intent, but the tempo and structure of their opponents made it difficult to sustain long stretches of control. The coaching staff took notice of these elements as opportunities to learn rather than simply accepting defeat, emphasizing the need to extract lessons from every minute of pre-season action. For a team aiming to compete in the Second RFEF, the emphasis remains on building cohesion and sharpened decision-making, especially on pitches that do not mirror the standard configurations seen in higher divisions.
From a tactical standpoint, the clash underscored the value of tempo, ball circulation, and positional discipline. The home side’s ability to press with purpose and exploit space behind the defense posed a stern test for Orihuela’s structure. Yet the visitors showed determination by maintaining shape and looking for pockets to exploit, especially during rapid counterattacks. The experience on the Villarreal-like turf reinforced the belief that adaptation is a fundamental skill in the early stages of the season—one that can translate into improved execution when league play begins and the stakes rise. The staff highlighted several aspects to improve, including quick recovery after losing possession, better communication in the pressing phase, and more precise finishes in the final third.
In the immediate aftermath, Orihuela coach Óscar Sánchez reflected on the day’s lessons. He acknowledged that the opponents were sharper in rhythm and intention and that the team needed to learn from the mistakes that surfaced during the match. He stressed the importance of adapting to the constraints of the ground they played on and to the type of football that a fourth-tier opponent can force on the game. Sánchez emphasized that the objective was not merely to win friendly fixtures but to gather meaningful data to refine tactics and player roles ahead of the start of the league. The coach also pointed to the value of facing diverse opposition as a way to expose weaknesses that can be addressed before competitive action resumes.
The Scorpion squad is set to conclude its pre-season schedule with one more friendly match. The upcoming fixture, scheduled for Saturday, August 26, will feature Cartagena Mining Sports. This opponent is also part of the Tercera RFEF, offering another opportunity to measure progress against peers at the same level. The focus remains on building match fitness, testing tactical variants, and tightening the collective understanding necessary to perform consistently in the league that lies ahead. Fans and analysts will be watching closely as the squad reads the signals from every preseason test and translates them into a stronger, more cohesive unit for the early rounds of the season.
Hard defeat to Murcia (1-4)
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At the end of the match, Orihuela’s head coach Óscar Sánchez offered a candid assessment of the performance. He stated that the opposing team showed superior rhythm and clear intent throughout the 90 minutes and that his squad must learn from the mistakes made on the field. Facing a solid opponent from the Tercera RFEF and competing on a smaller pitch with an artificial surface underscored the need to adapt and grow. Sánchez explained that the goal in these pre-season tests is to identify what went wrong and to apply those insights to future games, especially with the league campaign around the corner. The emphasis is on translating these experiences into concrete improvements, preparing the squad for the pace and physical demands of competitive matches.
As the pre-season motion continues, the Scorpion team will play its final warm-up contest against Cartagena Mining Sports. This match represents a critical moment to finalize tactical plans, sharpen coordination among lines, and boost collective confidence ahead of the league kick-off. While results matter for growing confidence, the prime objective remains development: building a cohesive unit that can respond to the different challenges of the Second RFEF in the United States and Canada audiences following the team via international streams and regional coverage.