Match Report: VCF Mestalla sign off season with away draw against L’Hospitalet (1-1)

VCF Mestalla visited CE L’Hospitalet on Sunday,May 23rd at 5pm kick-off time on Matchday 8 group III-E in the second phase of Segunda División B.

The game finished in a 1-1 draw after having gone in front through a first half Hugo González who recently signed a contract extension. Alas, the home side managed to equalise in the closing stages in which the Juvenil player, Javi Guerra was given a runout to make his official debut for VCF Mestalla whom also extended his ties with the VCF Academy.

Óscar Fernández fielded a much-changed lineup dominated by youth with plenty of novelties in it. With up to four Juvenil-aged players in the starting eleven: Fran Pérez, Hugo González, David Ruiz and José David filling in at centre-back.  

Both sides were off to a good start, no strings attached and looking to end the season with a win. The first chance fell to Fran Pérez who won the ball back in a dangerous area and delivered a dangerous cross into the box that was nearly guided on target by Fran Navarro who awkwardly collided with the goalkeeper. VCF were a man down momentarily with the Pinedo forward receiving treatment on the touchline which the home side took advantage of to test Emilio Bernard.   

 VCF Mestalla pressured high up the pitch and managed to get in front thanks to a Facu García ball recovery on the edge of the area to play Hugo González onside who beat Álex Ruiz and score his maiden goal of the season.

VCF Mestalla kept on pushing after the goal, forcing the opposition into giving the ball away which nearly led to a second goal with Pablo Gozálbez at the heart of them for VCF Mestalla.

 VCF Mestalla edged CE L’Hospitalet by 0-1 at halftime

The second half begun in a similar fashion having no difficulties at the back and going forward at every opportunity brining the ball out from the back and playing long balls for Fran Navarro to help on or from deadball situations, like the one that saw Facu García go for an acrobatic effort which nearly caught out Álex Ruíz.

With the game in control, Óscar Fernández made a triple substitution brining on Marc Ferris, Alemany and Carlos González who enjoyed a guilt-edge chance a few minutes after coming on. Just as the 0-2 was seemingly closer. The home side equalised against the run of play though Salinas who turned it home at the back post following a corner kick.   

Both sides kept on pushing for the winning goal in the closing stages. L’Hospitalet forcing Emilio Bernad into tipping it onto the post and Carlos González who could not quite bring the ball under control following a great Pedro Alemañ assist.

The match finished in a 1-1 draw which brings VCF Mestalla’s season to a close.  

Match Details:

1.- CE L’Hospitalet: Álex Ruiz, Dani Reina (Joan Salvá, m. 55), Cristian Gómez © (Aguilera, m. 62), Martí Soler, Miquel Ripoll, Canario, Salinas, One (Diego, m. 49), Sehou (Vitalie, m. 62), Eudald and Sergio Juste (Adrià Parera, m. 49)

1-. VCF Mestalla: E. Bernad, Estacio, Mingotes, F. Navarro, José David, F. García, K. Koba Leïn (J. Guerra, m. 81), P. Gozálbez (Ndombasi, m. 81), D. Ruiz (Marc Ferris, m. 61), F. Pérez (Carlos Glez, n. 61) and H. González (Alemañ, m. 61)

Goals: 0-1, m. 22 H. González; 1-1, m. 77, Salinas.   

Referee: Borja Munárriz Mateos. Booked Ripoll for CE L’Hospitalet a Ripoll. K. Koba Leïn, Fran Pérez, Gozálbez, D. Ruiz, Marc Ferris and F. García.

Observations: Matchday 8 of group III E in the second phase of Segunda B held at Hospitalet Municipal Ground.