Match Report: Narrow away loss to UE Olot (1-0)

VCF Mestalla visited UE Olot on Matchday 6 of Group III which ended in a home win by 1-0 from a deadball situation in the first half. Emaná came mighty close to a last-gasp equaliser but his effort was scrambled off the line.

VCF Mestalla came into the meeting looking to pick up the three points and playing for pride. Óscar Fernández tweaked his starting lineup with Carlos Pérez and Pedro Alemañ as main novelties in midfield.

UE Olot had a strong start through a few odd deadball situations which called Emilio Bernad into action to stop a Juan Delgado effort from point-blank range. Alas, there was nothing he could do to keep out Alan Baró’s effort despite the protest for a handball flick leading up to the goal. 

VCF Mestalla dictated possession and tested the away keeper through a long-range effort from José David and a cross-shot from Jesús Vázquez which also troubled the keeper.

Fran Pérez knocked on an inviting Jesús Vázquez cross on the stroke on half-time, but nobody managed to get on the end of it Fran Pérez knocked on an inviting Jesús Vázquez cross on the stroke on half-time, but nobody managed to get on the end of it.

VCF Mestalla took the initiative at the start of the second half putting UE Olot on the backfoot who tried to withstand the wave of attacks with eleven men behind the ball deep in their own half so much so, that they almost conceded an own goal following a José David wicked cross with Fran Navarro lurking for a tap-in.

VCF Mestalla head coach, Óscar Fernández made a triple change modifying the tactical shape searching for an equaliser not losing face in the game and staying in it thanks to Emilio Bernad’s interventions.

VCF Mestalla came close to equalising with the last kick of the game through Emaná’s close-range effort but the ball was scrambled off the line and the match ended in a 1-0 away defeat to UE Olot.

Match Details:

1.- UE Olot: Ballesté, Carles Mas, Masó, Blázquez ©, Eloi (Salinas, m. 76), Pedro (Pinto, m. 90), Arumí, Alan Baró, Xumetra (Pol Prats, m. 76), Vivi y Juan Delgado (Kilian, m. 60).

0.- VCF Mestalla: E. Bernad, J. Vázquez, G. Molina, C. Pérez, F. Navarro, José David (Facu, m. 83), Sibille ©, Ndombasi (D. Ruiz, m. 74), F. García (Gozálbez, m. 74), Fran Pérez (H. González, m. 83) y P. Alemañ (Emanà, m. 74).

Goals: 1-0, m. 23 Alan Baró.

Referee: Armando Ramo Andrés. Booked Blázquez, Arumí, Masó, Pol Ballesté for UE Olot and F. García, Sibille, F. Pérez, H. González and Fernández for VCF Mestalla.

Observations: Matchday 6 of the second phase played at Nou Estadi Municipal.