MATCH REPORTS AND FIXTURES
Nules Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto B produces an epic comeback against BM Elda CE Eldense and scores again
[caption id="attachment_13878" align="aligncenter" width="480"] PHOTO: Tomás Valls [/caption] As half-time approached, it might have seemed that the usual story was going to repeat itself; BM Elda Centro Excursionista Eldense ended the first half with a five-goal lead and Nules Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto B watched another chance to score slip away, with no way of knowing what the second half would bring. The predictions were being fulfilled for the time being and the hosts were leading by a margin that was not particularly large, although sufficient...
2016-11-13
[caption id="attachment_13878" align="aligncenter" width="480"] PHOTO: Tomás Valls[/caption]
As half-time approached, it might have seemed that the usual story was going to repeat itself; BM Elda Centro Excursionista Eldense ended the first half with a five-goal lead and Nules Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto B watched another chance to score slip away, with no way of knowing what the second half would bring. The predictions were being fulfilled for the time being and the hosts were leading by a margin that was not particularly large, although sufficient.
But Toni Sarió’s boys kept their composure and competed rigorously, ensuring that at no point did the Eldense side pull more than six points clear. And so, at half-time, the scoreboard showed a five-point lead for the Alicante side. But Nules, following the pattern they have established in recent weeks, once again produced an outstanding second half, drawing on grit, determination and belief to fight back and level the match in the closing stages.
The visiting reserve side came to have the fate of the match in their hands and could well have claimed their first win of the season had it not been for bad luck – once again – combining with the highly questionable decisions of the refereeing pair. The hosts’ five-goal lead evaporated and the red-and-whites had chances to move ahead. They even managed to do so once, moving one goal ahead of the fourth-placed side. Despite this, the ball refused to go in again and BM Elda CE Eldense levelled the score once more, then defended tooth and nail to preserve a draw that salvaged their day.
However, in the final seconds, a penalty against them put the ‘oh no’ feeling into the hearts of the Nules players, who once again watched their deserved reward for their enormous effort potentially slip away. Nevertheless, goalkeeper Chueca was there; in addition to producing an excellent performance, especially in the second half, he saved the penalty that could have left Toni Sarió’s men empty-handed after such an outstanding recovery. It would have been extremely painful because such an outcome would have been thoroughly undeserved.
Fortunately for the visiting reserve side, the penalty did not result in a goal, and moments later the buzzer signalled the final 26–26 draw. This marked a return to the path of work being rewarded and, ultimately, represented a before-and-after moment for the red-and-white team, who ended up celebrating the draw on court as if it had been a victory. A good result had been brewing for weeks, and it was clear that, with this increasingly well-drilled team, things would start to fall into place sooner or later.
It was a draw that certainly felt like too little, given how close they came to victory, but at the same time it tasted glorious, as it points towards a new era for the red-and-white side.
BM Elda CE Eldense: J. Alcañiz, González (1), Alfonso (1), I. Alcañiz, Tirado, Bastan (3), Carrasco (2), Rodríguez, Cotillas (2), Bigagli (1), Asencio (7), Sellés (1), Candel (4), Piera and Marco (4).
Nules Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto B: Palacios, Juanpe Conca, Chueca; Montoya (3), Perales, Dorado (5), Cebrián (8), Camacho (2), Valderas (1), Urbano (2), Íñigo Celorrio (1), Ángel López, Rubén Gil (2) and Cubero (2).
Officials: Patricia del Valle Encuentra and David Gallego Laglera. The hosts Bastan, Asencio and Candel were cautioned, while Perales and Valderas were cautioned for Nules Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto B. Two-minute suspensions were given to BM Elda CE Eldense players Alfonso, Asencio and Candel, and to Valderas for the red-and-whites.
Score every five minutes: 2-1; 6-3; 9-6; 12-7; 13-8; 16-11, half-time; 17-13; 21-15; 23-19; 24-22; 25-24; 26-26, full-time.
Match corresponding to the ninth round of Group E of the Primera Estatal handball league, played at the Rafael Tapia Valdés Pavilion of Centro Excursionista Eldense in Elda in front of around 250 spectators.
Translation produced using artificial intelligence.