After the emotional moment in Marbella where Orihuela claimed the win, the return to action began with a renewed sense of purpose. Among the Vega Baja contingent, they faced Cartagena B, the reserve side of the city’s club competing in the final tier of the Second RFEF, Group 4. The atmosphere was charged with the idea of building momentum and proving themselves again on home soil, a test many teams would treat as a turning point in a demanding season.
Orihuela take on Cartagena B to earn first home victory
EFE
team Oscar Sanchez aimed to extend the positive run from recent fixtures and secure a second consecutive victory at home, a target Cartagena B clearly resisted. The Scorpions operated with a steady, measured approach, focusing on solid defense while probing for spaces to exploit in the Saldaña area. Armando opened the scoring in a composed fashion, delivering a powerful header off a corner that narrowly missed finding the net before the first quarter hour. The early moment set the tempo, signaling the hosts’ intent to control the flow of the match from the outset.
Minutes later, Adrián Revilla did not miss his chance after a fortunate rebound, collecting the ball from Brian’s shot and guiding it into the goal. The visitor’s equalizer swung the balance, shifting initiative back to Cartagena B and pushing Orihuela to reassert their position. Compa’s precise strike against the Orihuela post, shortly after Orihuela had taken the lead, kept the contest tightly poised and underscored how delicate the margins were in this division. As the clock ticked toward halftime, Aitor Arias showcased a strong contribution under pressure, with Adrián Revilla sealing the end of the half for the home side, and giving Orihuela a slight advantage as the teams headed to the dressing rooms.
against the second
As the second half commenced, Cartagena B pushed hard to turn the momentum in their favor, deploying more attacking intent in a bid to shrink the deficit and reclaim the initiative. They sought to carve out spaces in Aitor Arias’ territory, leaning on quick passes and aggressive angles to destabilize the Orihuela defense. Yet, despite their efforts, the visitors found it difficult to sustain dangerous forays toward the goal, hampered by resilient organization from the home backline and disciplined pressing when Cartageneros advanced. The tactical duel intensified, with both sides willing to trade blows in a tense, enterprising approach that kept spectators on edge.
Orihuela, for their part, capitalized on a sharp counterattack after a visiting foray forward. Brian led a swift counter, laying the ball off to Nacho Muñoz who faced the goalkeeper and found the bottom corner with a precise finish. The 2-0 scoreline offered Orihuela a more comfortable cushion than the Marbella result, elevating confidence among the players and fans alike. The home team remained mindful of Cartagena’s threats, yet they demonstrated composure and discipline, turning defense into attack with clarity and purpose as the clock continued to wind down. The result reinforced Orihuela’s positive run and signaling a strong responsive posture from a side adapting to the demands of each fixture.
MATCH COMMITTEE
ORIHUELA: Aitor Arias; Fran Martínez, Adrián Revilla (Camacho, 70′), Ayo, Armando, Brian (Booker, 89′), Juanmi Callejón (Jawed, 70′), De las Cuevas (Nacho Muñoz, 53′), Juanma, Marc Sirera (Jaime ), 89′) and Mendi.
CARTAGENA B: Saldaña; Roque (Carlos Sánchez, 68′), Climent, Djaka (Botía, 76′), De Pedro, Compa (Ayan, 46′), Arcos, Dani Albiar (Joe James, 76′), Guille Bernabeu, Cassio and Sabater (Czech Republic), 68′).
GOALS: 1-0 (20′) Adrián Revilla. 2-0 (62′) Nacho Muñoz.
REFEREE: Johan González Rodríguez. He warned Fran Martínez.
STADIUM: Los Arcos.