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1-0: Nerves of steel
RCD Espanyol fight for crucial win over CF Hércules
RCD Espanyol B earned a crucial 1-0 win at home to CF Hércules on Saturday.
Espanyol were sitting fourth going into the clash, with visitors Hércules trailing by two points in sixth. Luis Blanco, who was suspended and watching from the stands, handed Pau Casadesús a home debut alongside a first team midfield pivot of Dani Villahermosa and Roger Martínez.
As the match warmed up under the sunset, Roger tested the opposition goalkeeper from range, forcing a quick save to tip it over the bar. Hércules were hitting their stride and Michel Herrero came close at the other end, as his shot sneaked just wide into the wrong side of the net.
On the stroke of the half hour mark, Espanyol took the lead through a sumptuous team goal. Abde Damar played in Antoniu Roca, who squared the final ball into Juan Camilo Becerra to bury it home for a massive goal for the young pericos.
Espanyol now looked more assertive with the advantage, able to play their game and control the ball as they went into half-time in front. Though they had the advantage, there remained very little to separate the two after the break as Hércules pushed on.
The visitors missed some huge chances as they were unable to convert on their encouraging performance. The best of those was by captain Raúl from the same position as Becerra’s goal, but opposition skipper Villahermosa was there to calmly clear it off the line.
It was becoming tense, with Hércules forcing the hosts into their defensive shape while Espanyol kept compact at the back and hit them on the break. They had two close efforts in that manner, but neither Becerra nor Nabil Touaizi could capitalise.
It became a question of Espanyol’s defensive strength against Hércules’ intense pressure. After an intense final half hour, Espanyol B held on and secured a momentous win in the race for promotion at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque.
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Match information
RCD Espanyol B: Angel Fortuño, Joan Puig, Gorjón, Lancho (Mangada 75’), Casadesus, Nabil (Kenneth 67’), Villahermosa, Roger Martínez (Català 86’), Roca (M. Carvalho 86’), Abde, Becerra.
CF Hércules: Carlos Abad, Roger R.C, Felipe, Maxi, Alvarito, Raúl, Mario Gómez, Sandro, César (Maxi 67’), Retuerta, Artiles, Michel (Luque Jr. 83’), Christian Cedres (Jack Harper 58’).
Referee: Federico Javier Saiz Villarez
Goals: 1-0 Becerra 30’
Bookings: Roger Martínez 38’, Joan Puig 77’, Mangada 82’; César 28’, Maxi 68’, Roger R.C. 70’
Attendance: Approx. 600