Victory for Malagueño with a brace from Márquez (2-0)
Atlético Malagueño defeated Arenas de Armilla, at the Federación Malagueña, on matchday 20 of Tercera Federación Group 9. Funes’ boys, in promotion playoff positions, have accumulated 10 matches without a loss.
The Malaguistas stepped on to the pitch on this sunny Sunday morning with Carlos López in goal; captain Bilal, Andrés Caro, Murillo and Márquez on the defensive line; Rafa and Álex Rico in the wide area, Paco on the inside left, Jesús Martín as playmaker and Juanmita on the right wing; and Chupete, ‘pichichi’ with six goals for Malagueño, upfront.
The rival, Arenas, in the first round of the competition, defeated (2-1) the Blue and Whites at their home ground with experienced and well-known players, such as former Granada CF player, Dani Benítez, or homegrown Betis international, Ezequiel Calvente.
After the 15-minute mark, Malagueño took the lead. A corner from Bilal to the post was picked up by left-back Márquez who opened the scoring (1-0, 17’). It was the Juvenil defender’s day as he narrowly missed out on a second goal in 34’ with a strong shot from distance that was deflected by the rival keeper with difficulty. Before half-time, in 43’, Jesús Martín could also have scored with a cross shot to the right post.
In the second half the tone of the match didn’t change. A highly consistent Malagueño barely suffered in defence, with an imperial Andrés Caro standing out on the crosses. The referee showed several yellow cards to both teams. Álex Rico, with a yellow card, made way for Bolívar in 67'.
Arenas remained alive in the match, reaching the final minutes with options to go level, but Funes' team secured their victory just before the 90-minute mark. Juanmita on the right wing assisted Márquez, who showed control in the area and slammed the ball into the back of the net to secure a spectacular brace (2-0, 89'). Arriaza, Oñate and Balta also participated, coming off the bench in the closing stages of the game, in a fair and well-deserved victory.
Atlético Malagueño have accumulated 10 matches on the bounce without defeat (four wins and six draws) with 32 points from 20 league fixtures, in the provisional top 5 and promotion playoff positions to the Segunda Federación. Vamos, Malagueño!
