Match Report: Spirited Valencia CF Femenino salvage last gasp Teika derby draw (1-1)

Valencia CF Femenino were off to a positive start in the derby in early goings moving the ball around with attacking purpose while being alert at the back. The first Valencia CF Femenino chance fell to Cristina Cubedo on eight minutes with a long-range effort which was turned behind for a corner kick which Cubedo herself rose to meet with a dangerous header.

Noelia Gil showed her cat-like reflexes with an instinctive save inside the six yard box to Esther’s effort on the 10-minute mark in a Teika derby that begun at a high tempo at both ends.    

Levante UD started to dominate close to the quarter-hour mark arriving in the opposition box with ease. On 18 minutes, Esther crashed a header against the crossbar and two minutes later, Noelia Gil turned a Zornoza effort behind for a corner kick.

Valencia CF Femenino tried to hit on the break. Thus on 28 minutes Carla Bautista played an excellent ball in behind the centre-backs who snuffed out Candela’s last ditch effort. On 34 minutes, Jansen almost latched on a magnificent Esther cross into the box following a magnificent Ana Torrodà long range pass.

Carla Bautista came mighty close to opening the scoring but her effort fizzed just wide of the underside of Paraluta’s left-hand post. Alas, Esther made it 1-0 to Levante UD on 43 minutes from a corner kick.

Valencia CF Femenino trailed Levante UD by 1-0 at the interval.

Valencia CF Femenino were off to a positive start in the second half forcing Paraluta into a double save. First Carla Bautista and Jansen on the follow-up Candela came close to making it 1-1 but her shot went narrowly off target. A minute later, Paraluta denied Jansen.

The contest evened out on the hour mark without a clear dominance from either side.  Valencia CF Femenino were looking to bring menace down the wings with quick runs to ask some questions of the Levante UD.

Time wore off as Ainoa Alguacil was handed her first-team debut on 80 minutes at just 15 years of age.

Valencia CF Femenino kept on pushing for an equaliser and right at the death Anita Marcos fired it home after a series of scrambles and the ball went in via a Levante UD defender to salvage a well-deserved point from the Teika derby.   

1. LUD Femenino: Paraluta, M. Méndez, Rocío, Toletti (Nuria, min.88), Lucía G. (Redondo, min.46), Andonova (S. Lloris, min.77), Zornoza, Alharilla, Esther, Paula T. (Jucinara, min.61), Fiamma (Banini, min.61).

Substitutes: María, Nuria, Banini, Redondo, Jucinara, Ordega, S. Lloris.

Head Coach: María Pry.

1. VCF Femenino: Noelia Gil, Esther, C. Cubedo, A. Torrodà, Guerrero (M. Ortiz, min.80), Asun (Anita Marcos, min.46), M. Carro, Sandra (Ainhoa, min.80), Candela (Bonsegundo, min.89), Jansen (Aguado, min.71), C. Bautista.

Substitutes: Enith, M. Ortiz, B. Beltrán, Irene, Ainhoa, Bonsegundo, Alejandra, Aguado, Anita Marcos.

Head coach: José Bargues.

Goals: 1-0, Esther (min.43); 1-1, Anita Marcos (min.90).

Referee: Ylenia Sánchez.

Bookings: None.

Observations: Matchday 33 of the Primera Iberdrola 2020-21 held at Levante UD training ground. The game was attended by Joey Lim and Salvador Belda.