4-0: UD Almería B win big to stun Loja CD
The Rojiblancos do not grant scoring opportunities to their opponents and notch up their second consecutive victory
Almería B notched up their second consecutive big win to stun Loja CD displaying a stylish, spectacular attacking game. After a first half with few chances, the Rojiblancos did not give the visitors a chance during a second half that was close to perfection. Fermín, Aitor Puñal, Raúl Caballero and Dani Albiar put their names onto the scoresheet showing great teamwork.
Fernando Santos picked a starting lineup including a total of four youngsters who join first team’s training on a daily basis. The Portuguese head coach put Lluís Tarrés; Vertiz, Aitor Puñal, Ricardo Carvalho, Fermín, Tomás, Robles, Dani Albiar, Appiah, Jean Marco and Juan Manuel Gutiérrez in contention.
In general terms, the first opening 45 minutes did not show too many opportunities, although the boys in red and white bossed. Loja turned up at the Anexo pitch as a fierce side, who were not willing to let the home team to exploit any half-spaces.
With 15 minutes on the clock, Dani Albiar put keeper Óscar to the test so as to prevent Almería ‘B’ from getting ahead. Shortly after, the visiting goalie made an effort to deny Vertiz.
Time was ticking down, Nandinho’s lads gained momentum and took more ball possession. Dani Albiar was about to make it 1-0 on 35 minutes with a free-kick that unluckily hit the woodwork. It was all square at the break.
With the arrival of the second half, more youngsters teamed up in the attacking third after the Academy team head coach decided to benched Tomas when Raúl Caballero came on.
Almería ‘B’ were increasingly becoming more comfortable and made their presence known near the 19-yard-box. It was then when, in the 56th minute, Fermín was in charge of a free-kick that ended up beating the goalkeeper to score the opener. The UD Almería second-team took advantage of the adversaries’ mistakes to take the contest to a 3-0. Aitor Puñal headed in a corner kick on 68 minutes, while, just two minutes later, it was Raúl Caballero who did the same after a cross from Siles.
The Rojiblancos turned into true fighters. So much so that the only successful actions at hands of the homegrown players followed one another. Dani Albiar joined up the list of the afternoon scorers after finishing off an all-important deliver from team-mate Siles, who was undeniably on fire. The fourth goal sealed the second consecutive red & white victory within group IX ‘A’ in Tercera Division. The final whistle confirmed Loja were thrashed 4-0 by Almeria ‘B’.
UD Almería B: Lluís Tarrés; Vertiz (Contreras, 74’), Aitor Puñal, Ricardo Carvalho, Fermín, Tomás (Caballero, min. 53), Robles, Dani Albiar, Appiah (Siles, 66’), Jean Marco (Sanchís, 74’) and Juan Manuel Gutiérrez (Cerpa, 66’).
Loja CD: Óscar; Chava, Seco, Álex Romero, Salvatierra, Lolo Armario, Antonio Peso (Sergio García, min. 82), Serafín, Álvaro (Naranjo, 67’), Migue Cobo (José Cobos, 82’), Paco Ariza.
Goals: 1-0, 56’: Fermín. 2-0, 68’: Aitor Puñal. 3-0, 70’: Raúl Caballero. 4-0, 78’: Dani Albiar.
Referee: Montijano Linde. He booked Jean Marco, Robles and Contreras from UD Almería ‘B’, as well as Paco Ariza, Seco, Álex Romero and Juanfran, from Loja.
Observations: Matchday 6 within group IX ‘A’ in the fourth-tier Tercera Division. The meeting was played at the Anexo pitch next to the Juegos Mediterraneos Stadium behind closed doors under the current measures adopted against Covid-19.