Málaga CF Femenino played their first away game of the season on Sunday, at the Municipal de Mogán against CD Femarguín, corresponding to matchday 2 of the Segunda Federación - Grupo Sur.
Coach Nacho Pérez opted for the following starting-11: María Arrabal in goal; Encarni, Ruth, Silvia Mérida in a line of four in defence; María Cortés and Nazaret on the double pivot, with Marilén and Bertuchi on the wings; and Sonia Torralvo and Carmen Gómez upfront.
The match didn’t get off to a great start, with the Blue and Whites conceding their first goal in two minutes, when Brenda headed a corner kick into the net from the left by Eveleyn (1-0).
The Malaguistas overcame that initial blow and shortly afterwards managed to go level. Sonia Torralvo took advantage of an error by local goalkeeper Paula, the ball fell at her feet, and she found the net (1-1, min12).
The match stayed pretty even throughout the first half, with both teams fighting for possession and closing the gaps. Carmen Gómez and Sonia Torralvo both narrowly missed out on goals around the 20-minute mark.
María Arrabal had to work hard to deny Evelyn's goal in a one-on-one in 42'. In the next play, Femarguín were about to take the lead in an action that ended up hitting the post.
When it looked as though it would be all square at half-time, a stroke of bad luck hit the Malaguistas. Following an MCFF throw-in, rival Evelyn took control of a clearance leaving her in front of goal. Ruth arrived to disrupt the play and scored an own goal (2-1, min44).
Immediately afterwards, a long shot from Nazaret hit the crossbar, impeding an equaliser.
Yoli came on in place of Bertuchi at the start of the second half, in which Nacho's team came out of the dressing room looking to balance the score, while Femarguín tried their luck with long shots. María Arrabal cleared an attempt from inside the area by Cristina to a corner.
The Malaguistas advanced lines and piled the pressure on until they found the well-deserved reward of an equaliser. An action that kicked off at the back reached Sonia Torralvo, falling to the right, who assisted Olmedo to send the ball into the back of the net from the penalty spot (2-2, min60).
Minutes later, Nacho Pérez made his second substitution, bringing on Carla, who scored in the league opener, in place of Marilén.
Shortly after, another unfortunate incident put Femarguín back in the lead. A corner from the left hit by Andrea reached Encarni, who diverted the trajectory and sent the ball into the Malaguista goal (3-2, min69).
Monterroso, unveiled as a Blue and White player this week, made her debut, taking over from Carmen Gómez. Félicité and Marta completed the quota of substitutions, coming on for Ruth and Silvia Mérida.
In the final stretch, the Malaguistas pressed upfront in the search to go level. Nazaret skied a shot from distance and claimed a handball inside the area.
The girls didn’t manage to equalise, despite the final push, and MCFF came away from Gran Canaria empty handed with this 3-2 loss in what was a very close match.
The Malaguistas’ next match will be on the first weekend of October, against Madrid CFF 'B' at the Francisco Romero ground in Rincón de la Victoria.
