Match Report: Hard-earned opening day draw away at Atzeneta UE (2-2)

VCF Mestalla were off to a shaky start to the game where the hosts hit the upright in the early goings and moments later, Emilio Bernad was called into action to turn it behind for a corner kick following a dangerous free-kick.  

Fran Navarro gave VCF Mestalla the breakthrough after capitalising on an Ivan Muñoz clearance to beat Anakcker and open his account seven minutes into the first half at Campo Municipal El Regit.

The joy was short-lived because Javi Sierra got the hosts back on level terms close to the half-hour mark making it one apiece.

The first half finished 1-1 in a finely poised opening half at El Regit.   

VCF Mestalla came out in search of an equaliser who looked to make the most of their numerical advantage against the hosts who were down to ten men following Kike Ferreres sending off early on.  

However, the hosts got themselves in front against the run of play through aforementioned Javi Sierra on 55 minutes and Facundo García was dismissed for a double booking which evened things out.

Fran Navarro latched onto an inviting delivery from the wing to make it two-all and VCF Mestalla came close to scoring the winner from a Hugo González free-kick delivery which rattled the crossbar in the closing minutes of the match.   

 The opening fixture finished honours even in a local derby on the opening day of Segunda B.

Match Details:

2.- Atzeneta UE: Lucas Anacker, Kike Ferreres, Enrique Sampedro, Javi Serra, Vicente Moscardo, Alex Chico (Cristian Gutiérrez), Héctor Fernández (Paco Sáez), Carles Rosell (Sergio Martínez), José Manuel, Manuel Ivars and Christian Albert (Carlos Esteve).

2.- VCF Mestalla: E. Bernad, G. Molina, Sibille, Facu, Iván Muñoz (Joseda, m. 46), Adri Gómez ©, F. García, Hugo González (Fran Pérez, m. 92), Nacho Muñoz ( Carlos González m. 62), Gozálbez (Alemañ, m. 62) and Fran Navarro.

Goals: 0-1 m. 7, Fran Navarro; 1-1 m. 27 Javi Serra; 2-1, m. 55 Javi Serra; 2-2, m. 78 Fran Navarro.

Referee: Javier Villaescusa Alarcón. He sent off Kike Ferreres from Atzeneta UE for a straight red card, booked Iván Muñoz, Fran Navarro and sent off Facundo García for a double booking for VCF Mestalla.

Observations: Opening day of subgroup B of Group III of the Segunda B played at El Regit before 350 spectators. A respectful minute of silence was observed in memory of the emblematic Valencia CF kit man, Bernardo España “Españeta”, who recently passed away.