Málaga CF and UD Melilla met this Thursday 12th October, Día de la Hispanidad, at La Rosaleda with a spectacular attendance; 24,292 fans. The match, corresponding to Primera Federación matchday 8, was brought forward from its initial schedule due to the celebration of the final phase of the Kings League this coming Saturday at La Rosaleda.
On the pitch the Blue and Whites had the following starting line-up: Herrero; Jokin, Nelson Monte, Juande, Dani Sánchez; Manu Molina, Juanpe, Larrubia, Kevin; Dioni and Loren. These players selected by Sergio Pellicer kicked-off the match with the clear intention of imposing their gameplay. An attacking play on the right wing by Larrubia, who didn’t manage to find a clear finisher in the area, was the first warning sent out by a very active MCF.
Kevin almost made it 1-0 in the 25th minute with a cross that grazed the far post. The winger had no choice but to execute an extraordinary opening by Larrubia with his left foot, and although the shot was more dangerous than the rival defence expected, it didn’t find the goal.
Finally, in the 28th minute, the Blue and Whites went 1-0 up. Starting out with Loren, whose attempt was scuppered by the rival keeper, the rebound fell at the feet of Kevin who once again tried his luck, but again goalkeeper Montoya cleared the ball and together with the post managed to repel the second attempt. The third rebound was intercepted by Dioni who, this time, managed to find the opponent's goal to the joy of the fans (1-0, min 28').
The goal didn’t satisfy the hunger of the locals who, after just two minutes, were once again very close to scoring. A great cross from Dani Sánchez was headed with power and placement by Dioni, but Montoya managed to get the ball out when it seemed to imbed itself in the net from the top corner.
Before the break, MCF had one more opportunity. Loren and Juanpe put Montoya's reflexes to the test. First the striker and then the midfielder came up against him on a double occasion in the 43rd minute. Finally, with the scoreboard at 1-0 the match reached half-time.
In the second half, Pellicer's team showed the same intensity as in the first, spurred on by their fans. Kevin hit a powerful shot into the side of the net in the 46th minute to the surprise of the rival defence.
As the minutes passed, both teams balanced their game and UD Melilla also had a great opportunity, but Herrero successfully blocked an attempt in the heart of the area.
The visitors tried to increase their presence in the opposing area, but the locals resolved the attacks and didn’t permit an equaliser. In the last minute, UD Melilla managed to score after a good attacking action, but José Enrique was clearly ahead, and the referee disallowed the goal for being offside.
The match ended in a 1-0 win and the three points remain at La Rosaleda. The Malaguistas, having played one more match, co-lead the Primera Federación Group 2 standings. The next match, also at home, will be against Real Madrid Castilla next Saturday 21st October 21 (20:00).