Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto cannot recover from a poor start to the second half

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto lost 33–27 this afternoon against Ángel Ximénez Puente Genil in a match where turnovers and inaccuracies in the red-and-white side’s play condemned them at the start of the second half, allowing the home side to put together a 7–0 run which they defended until the end. The match began with the home side taking the initiative and establishing the first lead of the game with two consecutive goals from Chispi. Fertiberia levelled the score at 3–3, but turnovers allowed the Puente Genil side to take a three-goal lead (6–3). Patxi Martí had to stop the match with a timeout after seeing that his players could not find a way to halt the Andalusians’ attack. Chispi’s shots gave Ángel Ximénez Puente Genil breathing space to maintain their lead, while the red-and-white side could not find a way past the home goalkeeper. The visitors continued to play against the tide, trying to level the score, and did not manage it until the 20th minute, when the scoreboard read 12–12 and the home coach was forced to call a timeout after seeing Fertiberia’s reaction. In the closing stages of the first half, the Puente Genil side switched to a mixed defence on Malasinskas, but the Valencians kept their composure and went into the break level at 18–18. The second half began with Bruixola saving the opponents’ chances, but Fertiberia were unable to score at the other end. Puente Genil put together a 4–0 run thanks to the red-and-white side’s lack of accuracy, prompting Patxi Martí to request a timeout to give instructions to his players. The home side’s scoring spree continued; they emerged from the dressing room highly motivated and made it 24–18. The Valencians could not find a way to stop Chispi, who emerged as his team’s star performer. Fertiberia’s first goal came midway through the second half, courtesy of a Bernatonis shot that ended the Andalusians’ 7–0 run. Fertiberia responded with a 3–0 run, but it was only a mirage, as the Puente Genil side produced one final surge to close out the match and take both points, winning 33–27. Fertiberia’s next fixture will not be until 7 February, when they face Frigoríficos Morrazo in the first match of the second half of the season. Ángel Ximénez Puente Genil: Olea, Medina (2), Cabello, Laliga, Morales (2), Moya (5), Cuenca, Chirosa, Muñoz (1), De Hita, De la Sierra, Levente (5), Chispi (8), Baena (5) and Porras. Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Sebastiá, Bruixola, Bernatonis (10), Malasinskas (4), Rubén Ruiz, Sladic, Moriñigo (5), Tarrasó (3), Álvarez (1), Berrios, Toni Alegre, Nebot (2), Fernández, Dukic (2) and Roque. Referees: Rafael Alberto García Mosquera and Gregorio Muro San José (Andalusian Referees’ Association).   Olea and Chispi were suspended for Ángel Ximénez Puente Genil; Ruiz, Fernández and Dukic were suspended for Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto. Score at five-minute intervals:  3–3, 7–5, 10–8, 12–13, 15–18, 18–18 Half-time, 20–18, 23–18, 24–19, 26–22, 29–24, 33–27 Full-time. Municipal Alcalde Miguel Salas Sports Centre. Attendance: 900.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.