League Play-Off

Frida Bonilla
Spectators: 33 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) 3 minutes into the match, Inge Checa notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Conejos Rojos C. de F.'s Egoi Alonso. Egoi Alonso was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. If Severo Mendez had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 6th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 10thth minute of the game Charro Barba who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but F.C. Rillan's Pablo Esperta was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Charro Barba's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Pablo Esperta firmly grabbed it by the left post. Egoi Alonso made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Inge Checa in the 12th minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Charro Barba got free with Pablo Esperta in the 14th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 14th match minute, F.C. Rillan was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Kevin Campomanes to maneuver through the defense. Pablo Esperta was out of position in the 16 minute of play, and Charro Barba capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Charro Barba really showed his touch with that goal: 1-1. In the 24th minute, Macario Bernal got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Conejos Rojos C. de F.'s Charro Barba got a good chance for a goal in the 26th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 29 minutes into the match, Inge Checa had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Egoi Alonso. Conejos Rojos C. de F.'s manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Inge Checa was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-2. The crowd rose to their feet as Conejos Rojos C. de F.'s Charro Barba slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Pablo Esperta. That made the score 2-2 after 33 minutes of play. Charro Barba sent away a hard shot on goal in the 36th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Pablo Esperta was out of position in the 36 minute of play, and Charro Barba capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Charro Barba really showed his touch with that goal: 3-2. 43 minutes into the game, Charro Barba lined in a short shot 4-2 behind a frustrated Pablo Esperta. Pablo Esperta made an important save on a dangerous shot by Charro Barba in the 48th minute. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 4-2 at half-time.

In the 51st minute, Chico Ricoy hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Charro Barba came up free with the goalie in the 55th minute, the Conejos Rojos C. de F. fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Charro Barba couldn't finish the play. A collision led to F.C. Rillan getting a freekick after 60 minutes play. Rosalio Espinosa hit a great ball. Egoi Alonso showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Inge Checa in the 63rd minute of the match. If Charro Barba had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 65th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 66 minutes, Macario Bernal managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Conejos Rojos C. de F.'s supporters crossed their fingers, but Macario Bernal was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Pablo Esperta stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Charro Barba's shot from short distance in the 68th minute. Egoi Alonso made an important save on a dangerous shot by Chico Ricoy in the 69th minute. Chico Ricoy hit a great freekick 72 minutes into the match. 74 minutes into the match, Chico Ricoy dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Egoi Alonso, 4-3. After 80 minutes, Charro Barba made it 5-3 with a short kick to the right side. F.C. Rillan's Pablo Esperta tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. The audience was convinced that Charro Barba's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Pablo Esperta was relentless in the 85th minute of the game. When Conejos Rojos C. de F.'s Charro Barba in the 87th minute got a chance for a shot 87th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye F.C. Rillan's goalie prevented a goal. After a defensive mix-up in F.C. Rillan's zone, Macario Bernal stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Pablo Esperta came out of the goal and Macario Bernal tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Pablo Esperta showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Charro Barba, who was totally free with the ball in the 89th minute. 92 minutes into the match, Kevin Campomanes dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Egoi Alonso, 5-4. 95 minutes into the match, Ruperto Abellan had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Egoi Alonso. Conejos Rojos C. de F.'s manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Ruperto Abellan was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 5-5. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Conejos Rojos C. de F. players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.