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2-2: Femení play out entertaining draw
RCD Espanyol Femení held to stalemate by Deportivo Abanca
RCD Espanyol Femení drew 2-2 with Deportivo Abanca on Sunday.
Marc Cabestany’s side came off the back of a vital win away to Athletic Club B last weekend, ahead of another tough test in store at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque.
Espanyol wasted no time at all to capitalise on an early mistake. A loose ball was intercepted by Cristina Baudet, who instantly had her eye for goal and struck it superbly into the top corner for the breakthrough inside the best part of 10 minutes.
Carlota Suárez had the first real chance for Dépor when her effort dipped over the bar, before Adriana Martín went for goal from a wide free-kick which curled just wide. The visitors would draw level through Paula Gutiérrez when her ball over the top went all the way in for the equaliser.
An end-to-end match gave no chance to rest, with Espanyol having more chances but Deportivo testing on the break. Adriana had a golden opportunity to restore Espanyol’s lead, but misguided her header off target with the match all square at half-time.
Just as the hosts started the first half quickly, Dépor had a string of shots within the opening minute of the second half. Suárez’s strike looked goalbound but was denied by an outstanding goal-saving block on the line by Júlia Guerra.
The visitors were throwing everything at the blanquiazul backline, standing strong and keeping them at bay. Espanyol restored their lead when Judit Pablos burst through on goal, and her ball across goal was diverted into her own net by defender Samara.
Dépor were not falling off by any means, as they drew level again through an unmarked Suárez converting Samara’s cross. Espanyol pushed for the winner and were in charge in the closing stages, though the Femení would earn a point in a hard-fought encounter.
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Match information
RCD Espanyol Femení: Andrea Crespo, Caracas, Nuria Martínez, Guerra, Sara, Carol Marín, Chini, C. Baudet, J. Pablos, Adriana, Pixu (Karpova 80’).
Deportivo Abanca: Lucía, Samara, Henar, I. Altamira, Paula, C. Suárez (Letti 84’), Laura Fernández (Millene C. 61’), Ainhoa M. (S. Navarro 75’), Raquel Q., Charle, Cris M.
Referee: Zoila González Vargas
Goals: 1-0 C. Baudet 9’, 1-1 Paula 28’; 2-1 Samara (o.g.) 66’, 2-2 C. Suárez 71’
Bookings: Millene C. 74’
Attendance: Approx. 200