Three points that are pure oxygen for Cantoria 2017, who defeated FC Cubillas of Albolote by 2-0 this Sunday morning at the Los Olivos municipal ground, a match corresponding to matchday 24 of Group 2 of the Andalusian Division of Honour.
Ricardo Mora’s side took to the field knowing that there was more than just three points at stake, with six games remaining in the relegation places.
For the match, Cantoria’s coach set up the team with a very attacking formation with Alberto in goal, Miguel Ángel and Reche as wing markers, Agustín at centre-back accompanied by Raúl -set back a few metres- as second centre-back. Carlos as a stopper midfielder, Casas (who the day he manages to do with his feet what he thinks with his head, he will be a player of another division), Miguel Castillejo creating and linking up with Guille Cruz, to feed Abdou and Palmera Michael up front.
The formula worked for the Cantorian coach and the players gave their best to reverse the situation of a team that plays well but as if there was a curse, it is difficult to score and pays dearly for its mistakes.
But there is no longer any margin and it was time to win against another of the bottom teams in group 2. A good result for a team that has taken a step forward and who have six finals ahead of them if they want to achieve their goal of relegation.
The win came after a one-on-one from Alberto beat Divine in the 31st minute of the first half, the biggest problem for Cantoria during the match but one that could have changed the course of the game.
The goalless draw at the end of the first 45 minutes was broken at the start of the second half. A minute and a half into the game, after a combination play, Guille received the ball outside the box and slapped the ball with the outside of his right foot in Luka Modric style. The Granada goalkeeper’s save proved futile as the ball flew in at the far post. It was a great goal and the crowd began to sing «si se puede» (yes we can).
With the home side pressing high up the field, spurned by the goal and the character of Reche (who left to a standing ovation), the Cantorians searched for a second, which came through Palmera. Michael went into space and beat Yan after Guille Cruz, the home side’s most influential player, had started the play.
Anecdotally, Capel was sent off in the 44th minute for kicking an opponent from behind just a few metres from the referee Francisco Martínez Criado.
Next Sunday, a difficult stop for the Almanzora team as they travel to Málaga to face Club Deportivo Rincón, who are at the top of the championship.