Blue and Whites’ reserve team defeats Huércal (3-1) to secure play-off positions
Atlético Malagueño defeated the penultimate placed team in Third Division Group 9, thanks to goals from Pablo Ganet, Vela and Rufo. The boys are now four points ahead of fourth-placed team, Atlético Mancha Real. Fran Oller scored Huércal’s goal.
Salva Ballesta’s boys got off to an intense start, maintaining ball possession in their search for a goal. The Blue and Whites circled around Eusebio’s area until Pablo Ganet opened the scoring, following a disallowed goal minutes earlier.
It seemed to take Atlético Malagueño two attempts to achieve their objectives. Minutes after Vela missed out on a clear scoring opportunity, a pass from Jurado led to the Blue and Whites’ second goal of the game, as Vela slammed the ball into the back of the net.
Two minutes before half-time, Fran Oller took advantage of a defence error to put Huércal on the score board. The pressure was on the Blue and Whites to maintain their lead during the second half.
Atlético Malagueño made two changes after half-time. Pedro Mérida joined the match, in place of Zalea, and came close to a goal. Deco substituted Jurado on the right wing, as he sustained an injury to his right hamstring.
Huércal got more into the game as time went on, forcing some excellent saves from Toni to stop them equalising. Salva made a third substitution hoping to strengthen the attack, bringing on Rufo in place of Vela. The coach’s plan worked, as Rufo scored the Blue and Whites’ third goal of the game 10 minutes before the final whistle.
Atlético Malagueño are now in play-off positions following defeats for At. Mancha Real (1-0 against Ronda) and Vélez CF (2-1 against Linares). The reserve team’s next match is away to UD Melilla on Saturday 26th April at 1 p.m.
Match stats:
At. Malagueño: Toni, Jurado (Deco, 45’), Alberto, Álex Portillo, Cris Tissone, Marrufo, Vela (Rufo, 62’), Rafa, Zalea (Pedro Mérida, 45’), Joel and Pablo.
CD Huércal: Eusebio, Sergy, Edwin, Eddie, Dani García (Juan, 82’), Álvaro, Rubén, Jose, Abraham (Corral, 71’), Fran Oller and Herrada
Goals:
1-0 Min 22 Pablo Ganet
2-0 Min 32 Vela
2-1 Min 43 Fran Oller
3-1 Min 80 Rufo
Referee: Benjumea Álvarez, Jesús. Huércal goalkeeper, Eusebio, was shown the yellow card (62’).
