Espinola earns Orihuela a point against Mestalla at Los Arcos

Orihuela CF picked up a point at Los Arcos with a 1-1 draw against VCF Mestalla on Saturday 24 October, in the eighth round of fixtures in Segunda Federación Group III.

The home side had to recover from the lead that Valencia’s reserve team held at half-time: Rodrigo Gamón opened the scoring in the 41st minute before Espinola replied in the 52nd.

An early second-half response

Both sides created opportunities in the first half: Fontanet turned an Orihuela attack behind for a corner, while Ismail fired wide when the visitors responded at the other end.

The hosts had two further chances after the opening half-hour, but the breakthrough came at the opposite end following a quick attack led by Jaume Durà.

Gamón finished that move with a shot across goal to make it 0-1, sending Mestalla into the half-time interval with the advantage.

Orihuela levelled before ten minutes of the second half had elapsed, with Espinola scoring the goal that would ultimately complete the scoring for both sides.

Pablo López returned to action for the reserves after a year out through injury and tried his luck several times from the edge of the area.

Later in the game, Ismail and Carlos Alós had opportunities for the reserve side, but neither managed to beat Iván Buigues in the home goal.

There was also a late chance for Orihuela: Solsona had an opportunity to settle the contest, but Raúl Jiménez intervened to preserve the draw.

Substitutions and the next away fixture

Orihuela’s starting eleven consisted of Buigues, Espinola, Satoca, Miranda, Solsona, Arhoun, Errahaly, Urcelay, Alonso, Bernabeu and Buron.

Alcalde replaced Satoca in the 57th minute, while Solano came on for Arhoun in the 77th, the two home substitutions listed in the match details.

Oriol Cartier Arasa refereed the match and booked Orihuela’s Satoca and Alonso, along with Wanjala and Navarro for the visiting team.

After sharing the points at home, Orihuela’s next league assignment in the ninth round of fixtures is an away match against Yeclano.