Match Report: Goalless home draw to RCD Espanyol B (0-0)

VCF Mestalla welcomed RCD Espanyol B on Saturday afternoon on Matchday 5 of the second phase of Segunda B which finished scoreless, despite the good chances for either side. Fran Navarro, Ndombasi and Carlos Pérez for VCF Mestalla and Jutglà and Mahicas for RCD Espanyol.

VCF Mestalla were off to an ambitous start with two main men up top in the manner of Fran Navarro and Ndmbasi, against a RCD Espanyol side that were trying to press high up the pitch to make it difficult for VCF Mestalla to play the ball out from the back.

VCF Mestalla were knocking the ball around with patience trying to link-up with the midfielders with a last-minute presence of Facu García who replaced Esquerdo in midfield after nursing muscle complaint during the warmup.

The first chance fell to Fran Navarro. Gozálbez put Fran Navarro through on goal with only the keeper to beat but the Espanyol B keeper was equal to it. Espanyol B responded by playing more direct a box-to box type of play benefited by the blustery weather conditions.

VCF Mestalla were trying to take advatage of Ndombasi’s pace through  Fran Peréz and Jesús Vazquez’s surging runs down the wings and the link-up plays between Gozálbez and Fran Navarro which lead to dangerous forays into the opposition box while the opposition were trying to stop VCF Mestalla’s attacks by putting challenges in.

VCF Mestalla came mighty close to putting themselves in front in the closing stages of the first half after a fine link-up play between Gozálbez and Fran Pérez who picked out Ndombasi at the near post but it was cleared away by the opposition defense.

The second half saw no changes at halftime. VCF had to withstand RCD Espanyol attacking momentum with respite to play their way into the opposition box. They enjoyed their first second-half chance following a corner kick through Fran Pérez and Gozálbez chances in quick succession. 

Óscar Fernández shuffled his pack halfway through the second half bringing on David Ruíz, Ruiz, and Hugo González y William .C to probe down the wings.

With ten minutes from time left VCF enjoyed a guilt-edged chance through a Facu García cross-shot following a Koba Leïn free-kick delivery that Fran Navarro could not quite guide on target.

Deep into stoppage time Carlos Pérez came mighty close to winning it right at the death but his effort went a whisker wide much to the frustration of VCF Mestalla’s players who yet again came away unrewarded with the win.

 Match Details:

0.- VCF Mestalla: E. Bernad, J. Vázquez, G. Molina, F. Navarro (Emaná, m. 80), José David, Sibille, Ndombasi (D. Ruiz, m. 63), F. García, K. Koba Leïn (C. Pérez, m. 80), Gozálbez © (William .C,, m. 69) and Fran Pérez (H. González, m. 69)

0-. RCD Espanyol B: Fortuño, Nil, Alejandro Pérez, Villahermosa, Becerra, Iván Gil (Julen, m. 84), Jutglà (A. Rocam . 54), Svenson (Mahicas, m. 70), Ricard Pujol, Gori and Omar Hilali.

Referee: Juan Francisco Roca Robles. Booked K. Koba Leïn, Sibille, William .C and Svenson, Ricard Pujol and Villahermosa for RCDE.

Observations: Matchday 5 of the second phase held at the Antonio Puchades before around 89 spectators in attendance.