Cantoria 2017 beat Atarfe Industrial 2-1 at their home ground, in a match between two direct rivals in the fight to avoid relegation from the Andalusian Division of Honour. More than 600 fans enjoyed the match corresponding to the 26th matchday of the competition, aware of what was at stake. The tone is the same in every match in which Cantoria plays at home, yellow and black are the predominant colours in a town of just over three thousand inhabitants, one of the most popular teams in the category.
Both teams took to the pitch knowing that Villacarrillo, another of the teams in the bottom half of the table, had just lost to CD Vilches, so the result at Los Olivos would determine the position in Group 2 of the regional division.
The game started with the home side needing all three points and the Granadinos speculating on a draw that would leave things as they were. A lot of time wasted and the referee’s permissiveness meant that the first half ended in a goalless draw, despite the Aurinegros having the best chances. On 19 minutes a ball from Adama was saved by Dario, the visitors’ goalkeeper, as the ball was going in at the far post. In the 22nd minute a shot from Miguel Angel was returned by the crossbar and in the 36th minute Adama shot wide without seeing Michael alone in the six-yard box. Cantoria deserved to score, but this is football.
Six minutes into the second half Ortega got the better of several Cantoria defenders and the cross from the back was converted into a goal by Osuna. 0-1 and a bucket of cold water for the home side on a hot Almanzorian morning.
The reaction was not long in coming and Ricardo Mora changed the approach to the game. There was no longer anything to look after and Casti and Reche came on to give the team character and Cerri played as a pure centre forward.
Agustín moved back a few metres and could have scored in the 18th minute after a pass from Cerrillo. The home side pressed and Migui found in Reche a partner to play with. By now, Danny was already on the pitch as second striker. Reche, who doesn’t give a ball away, stole a ball in the midfield and found the Ghanaian in the centre of the box. Danny’s half turn and the ball went into the left post of the goal defended by Dario. Cantoria equalised 25 minutes into the second half. 1 a 1.
From then on Atarfe changed their attitude and could have scored their second. Álvaro was one-on-one with Alberto and the home keeper cleared the ball with his left hand when the striker got a hand to it. It was the kind of save that wins games.
But things were still to happen. In the 36th minute Migui hit the crossbar. Cantoria were pressing and in a solo run, Cerrillo won a corner in their favour. It was 44 minutes and nobody was moving off the pitch. A corner kick was taken from the right and Casti headed the ball into the back of the net.
The stadium was crazy on and off the pitch. Cantoria won again. The «yes we can» was heard again. The aurinegro depends on itself, it has managed to get out of relegation and this coming Sunday it travels to Jaén where it will visit Club Deportivo Vilches that this Saturday gave the surprise by defeating Villacarrillo away. They won the first of their five finals. They still have four to go.