Villarreal Women get a hard-fought win in their opener against Barça B with goals from Alexia Jr. and Nerea Vicente
Villarreal Women did not have an easy start to the league. A new head coach, an almost completely new squad, and a rival, FC Barcelona B, who had won the title of Primera RFEF champions the last two seasons. What’s more, the Yellows had as many as six absentees for the first game of the season. However, and despite all the conditions, the players under Virgy García came out to fight, scoring their first win of the season with goals from Alexia Jr. and Nerea Vicente (2-0).
Barely a quarter of an hour into the game when Alexia Jr, leading a counter-attack, was brought down inside the box. The No.21 missed the spot-kick, but latched on to the rebound to send the ball into the back of the net and score the first goal of the game, and of the season, for the Yellows. Shortly after, Lena threatened with a header, but this time the ball went straight into the hands of the Blaugrana goalkeeper.
The Yellows had a scare in the 24th minute when a powerful long-range shot crashed against the crossbar of the goal defended by Montse Quesada. The Groguetes were not to be denied and went back to attacking on the counter-attack. On this occasion, Nerea Vicente, following a corner kick and situated on the right flank, launched a cross-cum-shot that ended up flying into the top corner (2-0), thus sealing Villarreal Women’s first win of the season.
In the second half Villarreal Women found it a little harder to find their game as Barça B increased their intensity, both offensively and defensively, as they found themselves behind on the scoreboard. Despite everything, and although it was more difficult to attack, the Yellows’ defence shone, managing to neutralise the Catalans, with Lauris doing an exceptional job.
Line-ups:
Villarreal Femenino: M. Quesada; Nerea, Lena Pérez, Vicky, N. Vicente (m.66, Riquelme J.);, Lauris, María (m. 87, Mar), Guerrero, Maria Ferreira (m. 87, Rita); Aixa (m. 77, Lucía R.), Alexia Jr. (m. 66, C. Enseñat).
FC Barcelona B: Meritxell Muñoz, Adriana Ranera, Martina González (m. 77, Emma Gálvez), María Llorella, Celia Segura, Natalia Escot, Sydney Joy Schertenleib, Ainoa Gómez (m. 46, Emma Martín), Clara Serrajordi (m. 46, Anna Quer.), Emilia Szymczaky, Noa Ortega (m. 61, Rosalía Domínguez)
Goals: 1-0. Min. 15: Alexia Jr. 2-0. Min. 35: N. Vicente.
Referee: Melissa López Osorio. Booked: Aixa Salvador, Claudia Enseñat (Villarreal Women); Emilia Szymczak. (Barcelona B)
Matchday information: Match corresponding to Matchday 1 of the Primera Federación Iberdrola, between Villarreal Women and FC Barcelona B, on Pitch 5 of the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground.
