League Play-Off

Ruzafa
Spectators: 33 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Hechter Verdeja got the match started through his kick off. In the 4th minute Ovando Escurza shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Anko Dellasierra saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 8th minute Hechter Verdeja shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Anko Dellasierra saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Lazaro Zapatero showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Raymond Mangas in the 11th minute of the match. Ruzafa FC's Raymond Mangas got a good chance for a goal in the 14th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Ruzafa FC's Romulo Turrilla got a good chance for a goal in the 18th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. When Hechter Verdeja came up free with the goalie in the 20th minute, the El Palmar 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 Hechter Verdeja couldn't finish the play. Anko Dellasierra took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Hechter Verdeja, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 25 minutes into the match, Hechter Verdeja notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Ruzafa FC's Anko Dellasierra. Anko Dellasierra was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. 28 minutes into the game, Egoitz Bergada was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. El Palmar's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Ruzafa FC the free kick. A collision led to El Palmar getting a freekick after 28 minutes play. Egoitz Bergada hit a great ball. Lazaro Zapatero made an important save on a dangerous shot by Raymond Mangas in the 33rd minute. Raymond Mangas's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Lazaro Zapatero read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 36th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in El Palmar's zone, Romulo Turrilla stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Lazaro Zapatero came out of the goal and Romulo Turrilla tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. If Raymond Mangas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 44th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Lazaro Zapatero made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Raymond Mangas in the 46th minute of play. In the 48th minute Ovando Escurza shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Anko Dellasierra saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Raymond Mangas to make the kick off. Lazaro Zapatero took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Raymond Mangas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Raymond Mangas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When El Palmar's Hechter Verdeja in the 71st minute got a chance for a shot 71st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ruzafa FC's goalie prevented a goal. After a defensive mix-up in Ruzafa FC's zone, Ovando Escurza stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Anko Dellasierra came out of the goal and Ovando Escurza tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Hechter Verdeja recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 74th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. A hard shot 78 in the game by Ovando Escurza from a close distance when the talented Anko Dellasierra managed to make a qualified save. Ruzafa FC's players were relieved. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Raymond Mangas in the 85th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Lazaro Zapatero prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The supporters of Ruzafa FC booed when El Palmar was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 87 match minutes in a wonderful position. Egoitz Bergada didn't get a good kick on the ball. Ruzafa FC's Julián Naranjo couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 88th minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for El Palmar. Elixio Zurica hit a great freekick 89 minutes into the match. After having played for 91 minutes, Raymond Mangas managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ruzafa FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Raymond Mangas was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Romulo Turrilla blasted a shot towards the goal in the 91st minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Lazaro Zapatero having to make a save. The El Palmar supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing El Palmar would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.