League

Esther
Spectators: 7236 (Terracing: 5429, Seating: 1664, VIP seats: 143) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Adan Vargas started the match with the kick off. Maximino Rico took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rigoberto Lohitzun, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 13 played minutes Adan Vargas rounded Palermo's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 1-0. If Marco Gonzo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 18th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Pablo Celino's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Damian Roldanillo read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 21st minute of play. 23 minutes into the match, Matias Cristos notched a goal, 1-1, to the right of Esther AFC's Maximino Rico. Maximino Rico was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Adan Vargas recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 28th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 33rd minute, Adan Vargas managed to get in a good position for a shot. Esther AFC's supporters rose to their feet, but Adan Vargas was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Damian Roldanillo breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rigoberto Lohitzun in the 40th minute of play forced Esther AFC's goalkeeper Maximino Rico to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Evaristo Rexino hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Esther AFC's zone, Marco Gonzo stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Maximino Rico came out of the goal and Marco Gonzo tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Rigoberto Lohitzun stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Pablo Celino in the 56th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Damian Roldanillo saved Palermo from getting behind. 56 minutes into the game, Marcial Gaskon was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Palermo's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Esther AFC the free kick. In the 56th match minute, Palermo was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Marcial Gaskon to maneuver through the defense. If Adan Vargas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 59th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The crowd rose to their feet as Palermo's Rigoberto Lohitzun slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Maximino Rico. That made the score 1-3 after 66 minutes of play. Esther AFC's Pablo Celino got a good chance for a goal in the 76th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Matias Cristos hit a great freekick 78 minutes into the match. In the 79th minute of the match Astor Bortzaioriz sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Damian Roldanillo skillfully saved the ball. Esther AFC's Maximino Rico played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rigoberto Lohitzun in the 83rd minute of play. Esther AFC's Maximino Rico played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rigoberto Lohitzun in the 89th minute of play. Marco Gonzo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 97th minute. Maximino Rico tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Palermo eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.