League Play-Off

Zapotepamba
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Zapotepamba SC's Xepe Isasaga started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Dominguez Rubi struck a weak shot in the 4th minute. Xepe Balda didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Pallatanga. If Dominguez Rubi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 11th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Xepe Balda stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Dominguez Rubi's shot from short distance in the 12th minute. Mario Junco took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Xepe Isasaga, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 17th minute Xepe Isasaga shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Mario Junco saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. With a little luck, Pallatanga's Mario Junco got control of the ball when Xayveon Obiaga tried to sneak it across the goal line. Xepe Balda took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ysidro Salmeron, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The audience was convinced that Xepe Isasaga's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Mario Junco was relentless in the 35th minute of the game. Xepe Isasaga sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 44th minute, Xepe Isasaga reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Mario Junco. The goal made the score 2-0. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Ysidro Salmeron to strike the kick off in the second half. In the 55th minute Ysidro Salmeron shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Xepe Balda saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 56 minutes into the match, Zapotepamba SC's goal looked a bit too open when Ysidro Salmeron came free, but Xepe Balda reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Zapotepamba SC's Xepe Balda played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ysidro Salmeron in the 56th minute of play. 59 minutes into the game, Campos Uja was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Zapotepamba SC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Pallatanga the free kick. In the 59th minute, Campos Uja hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Xayveon Obiaga received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 64th minute. Mario Junco tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When Zapotepamba SC's Xepe Isasaga in 66 game minutes managed to cut through with the ball in front of the goal, only having to shoot. Mario Junco guarding the goal like a pit bull was extremely focused and managed to reach the ball just by the crossbar before it went in. 67 minutes into the match, Dominguez Rubi had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Xepe Balda. Zapotepamba SC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Dominguez Rubi was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. Ysidro Salmeron received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 71st minute. Xepe Balda tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With his leg Xepe Balda managed to avoid a goal in the 73rdth minute, when Pallatanga's Dominguez Rubi fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Dominguez Rubi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 75th minute. Xepe Balda tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The supporters of Pallatanga booed when Zapotepamba SC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 77 match minutes in a wonderful position. Xepe Isasaga didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Zapotepamba SC's Xayveon Obiaga in the 80th minute got a chance for a shot 80th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Pallatanga's goalie prevented a goal. Xepe Isasaga might have been able to make a better finish in the 81st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Mario Junco. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Xepe Isasaga ran back to his position shaking his head. Xayveon Obiaga sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dominguez Rubi fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 95th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Xepe Balda having to interfere. Zapotepamba SC were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Pallatanga for a fine match.