Málaga CF played AD Ceuta FC on Primera Federación matchday 19 this Sunday 14th January at 12:00 at the Adolfo Murube. More than 200 Blue and White fans gathered at the stadium in Ceuta and cheered on the team throughout the match.
The Blue and Whites, wearing green and purple today, stepped on to the pitch with the following starting-11: A. Herrero; Jokin, Nelson Monte, Murillo, Víctor; Izan, Sangalli, Dani Lorenzo; Antoñito Cordero, Larrubia and Roberto.
As for the game, the match got off to an electric start. Both teams were generous with their efforts from the outset in a duel that began with an intense back-and-forth. The local team insistently sought to take an early lead, but the visiting defence managed to stop their attacks.
As the minutes passed, the game moderated somewhat, and the pace slowed. However, with five minutes remaining before half-time, AD Ceuta FC took the lead. Cedric Teguia resolved a one-on-one well after a vertical counter-attack from the left wing (1-0, 40'). The goal spurred on the locals who put all their efforts into the attack.
As the second half got underway the game script had a radical change. The Malaguistas took to the pitch with the intention of turning the result around and equalised in the 49th minute. Dioni, who along with Juanpe and Manu Molina came off the bench from the break, scored a prodigious goal. The striker executed a powerful and well-placed shot from distance - about 30 metres - and the ball slipped into the back of the net from the same corner (1-1, 49').
The goal didn’t satisfy the hunger of Pellicer's team who soon made it 1-2. Dani Lorenzo, after a great assist from Manu Molina, surprised the opposing defence with a shot to the post in minute 56 (1-2').
The game dropped in intensity and the locals again went level. El Ftouhi made it 2-2 after a rapid counterattack in the 67th minute.
The script of the match changed yet again in the 72nd minute. A cross from the right wing was heading towards the goal. Herrero managed to clear it with difficulty and the ball, unmarked in the heart of the area, was finished by local player El Ftouhi (3-2).
Dioni was very close to reciprocating in minute 74. The striker received a great pass between the lines from Manu Molina, turned and shot to the far post, yet the ball sailed just millimetres from the post.
Dioni came close to scoring again in the 82nd minute. The forward received another great assist, in this case from Juanpe, to stand in front of the rival goalkeeper. However, the keeper guessed his intention and managed to repel the striker's attempt.
Pellicer's team maintained momentum until the end but didn’t manage to go level. In stoppage time Málaga CF netted the equaliser thanks to a header from Juan Hernández, who came on for Larrubia in the final stretch. However, the referee sanctioned a struggle by Dioni on a defender in the previous action.
The match ended with a win for the home side and Pellicer's team ends the first round in fourth position tied on points with Córdoba CF in third place. Next Sunday, CD Castellón will visit La Rosaleda (20:00).