Match Report: Eldense Clinches Lead by Narrowing Gap with Sabadell
With eyes on extending the solid run Eldense has enjoyed and keeping Fernando Esteve’s side in the hunt, the plan was clear — push for leadership by visiting Nova Creu Alta and take three points, while hoping Alcoyano stumble in their next test. The visiting side entered the contest determined to press into Guille Vallejo’s goal, signaling a clear intent to control the opening exchanges at Sabadell’s home ground.
Sabadell opened with a compact, four-minute spell designed to test the visiting defense. Vallejo responded quickly, shaping the early danger and setting a tone for the visitors. Eldense absorbed the early pressure and then struck back with purpose: Juanto Ortuño delivered a perfectly timed cross that found the net through Sergio Puig, turning the balance in Eldense’s favor and shaking off an Alicante mood that had lingered from previous days. Within the first 15 minutes, both teams were contesting mid-field battles with Eldense showing more of the initiative and Soberón making a telling arrival. Chris Montes then found a shooting lane to score against Puig, giving Eldense a foothold and signaling a shift in momentum.
Sabadell, trying to redirect the course of the game, pressed again to equalize. Joanet and teammates challenged Vallejo’s three-post defense, but Vallejo’s solidity held. The danger that comes with Eldense stepping forward was evident as the visitors defended diligently, producing several rapid transitions that kept Sabadell on the back foot and created a tense atmosphere at the back for the local side.
In another decisive move, Eldense stretched its advantage after a sustained spell of pressure. Juanto Ortuño combined with a quick buildup that drew a cautious reaction from Sabadell’s defense. Ramón Andrés signaled a warning and Eldense capitalized when Alex Martínez converted a penalty earned by a earlier mistake from the Sabadell defense. Puig then added a second for Eldense, creating a 0-2 cushion that reflected a dominant first-half performance. The home team looked vulnerable as Eldense controlled the tempo and threatened to widen the gap, but Sabadell remained within reach as halftime approached, with Eldense holding the lead and feeling confident heading into the break in first place in the early phase of the First RFEF’s group standings.
Same Solid After Reboot
After the break, Eldense maintained discipline and control, denying Sabadell any clean routes to goal. The home side began the second period with renewed intent, attempting a quicker opening sequence to rattle Eldense. Yet Sabadell struggled to convert their early possession into meaningful chances, as Eldense’s defense remained resolute and Vallejo continued to organize the back line effectively. Sabadell did manage to draw a couple of bookings and show urgency in pockets, but these moments did not translate into sustained pressure or a credible threat to the visitors’ lead.
Eldense then stretched the margin with another incisive move, courtesy of Juanto Ortuño. The locals pressed for a response and sought to destabilize the visiting structure, but Eldense remained composed. Their field players read the local defense well, and a third goal seemed inevitable as the Alicante club extended their control. Despite Sabadell’s best efforts, Eldense’s defense held firm, and the scoreline remained 0-3, reinforcing Eldense’s elevated position in the standings and signaling a potential shift at the top of the group as the campaign progressed.
The match drifted into a quieter phase as both teams rotated and substitutions brought fresh energy onto the pitch. Sabadell, trying to spark something from the flank, created sporadic opportunities but could not breach Eldense’s organized lines. The intensity dipped, yet Eldense’s intent remained clear: they wanted to close out the day with a convincing win and push their claim for leadership in the table while Sabadell sought a late spark to salvage pride in front of their supporters at Nova Creu Alta. Seven minutes after Sergi García managed to beat Vallejo, Sabadell found a brief moment of hope as they finally beat the Eldense keeper, but the goal was not enough to alter the result or momentum of the evening.
The final moments saw Sabadell reduced to ten men after Guillem Molina received a second yellow card, a cruel moment that sealed the home team’s fate. Eldense completed the day with three points and moved into a leading position in the Second Group of the First RFEF, while Sabadell left with a sense that a crucial chance had slipped away. The final whistle confirmed Eldense’s victory and their rising trajectory in the competition as the campaign moved forward.
Data Sheet
► Sabadell lineup: Sergi Puig, Juanmi Carrión, Morgado, Molina, Altimira, Joanet (David Astals, 60), Juan Delgado (Pau Víctor, 66), Corbalán (Sergi García, 46), Adán Gurdiel, Alberto Fernández (Dieste, 66), Alex Sala (Moha, 46).
► Eldense lineup: Vallejo, Toni Abad (Xavi Estacio, 70), Álex Martínez, Pardo, Cris Montes (Manu Nieto, 64), Soberón, Carnicer (Rubén Correia, 80), Núñez (Sergio Ortuño, 70), Diego González, Capó, Juanto Ortuño (Clemente, 64).
► Goals: 0-1, 19 min Cris Montes. 0-2, 33 min Álex Martínez (penalty). 0-3, 57 min Juanto Ortuño. 1-3, 84 min Sergi Garcia.
► Referee: Ramon Andrés. Yellow cards: Sabadell Moha, Altimira; Eldense Núñez, Toni Abad, Juanto Ortuño. Red card: Guillem Molina in the 86th minute for a double booking.
► Stadium: Nova Creu Alta. Attendance: 2,902 spectators, as reported by the club.
Source: club match records and official reports indicate the above details were observed on the day of the match.