Sara Monforte’s side failed to find the net in an evenly matched game against the Catalan side
Villarreal Women, after a vital win against Alhama CF ElPozo, picked up their fourth point from two games with a draw against another direct rival, Levante Las Planas (0-0). In this way, the Yellows continue to take steps forward and manage to move away from the relegation places.
The first clear chance of the game fell to Sara Monforte’s side in the 13th minute. Sheila broke away from her team-mate, Júlia Mora, to get on the end of an aerial ball, but her shot came back off the post. Just a minute later, Villarreal Women had another chance to open the scoring at the Mini Estadi. However, Fatou Kanteh’s shot was saved by Doris Bačić.
Just when the Yellows seemed to be in control of the game, a defensive error almost cost them the first goal. Mari Paz Vilas found herself one-on-one against Carmen Carbonell, but the home goalkeeper pulled off a fine save to keep the game level. The last chance of the first half fell to the Yellows. Maria Llompart’s free-kick found Cristina Cubedo alone in the box, but the defender’s header did not cause any danger. Thus, the two teams went to the break after a first half with several chances, but no goals.
At the start of the second half, Kanteh continued to cause danger for Levante Las Planas. In fact, after five minutes, the attacker broke down the left flank, feeding Albeta. The young full-back put in a perfect cross, but Tere Morató’s powerful volley ended up going over the bar.
Con el paso de los minutos, Monforte introdujo varios cambios para intentar decantar el partido a favor de las groguetes. Fueron Belén y Pancha Lara quienes, segundos después de entrar, crearon una muy buena ocasión de gol. El pase de cabeza de la chilena encontró a la delantera extremeña, que fue derribada por una defensa del Levante Las Planas. El balón, sin dueño en ese momento, encontró a Pilar García, pero, con el Mini Estadi cantando casi gol, la árbitro pitó manos de Belén pese a las protestas de la ‘7’.
As the minutes ticked by, Monforte made several changes to try and swing the game in favour of the Yellows. It was Belén and Pancha Lara who, seconds after coming on, created a very good scoring chance. The Chilean’s headed pass found the striker, who was brought down by a Levante Las Planas defender. The ball, loose at the time, found Pilar García, but with the Mini Estadi almost singing goal, the referee blew for a handball by Belén’s despite the protests of the No.7.
Despite the Yellows’ constant attempts, the game ended goalless. Villarreal Women’s next match, corresponding to Gameweek 23 of the Finetwork Liga F, will be on Saturday 25th March, at 4pm CET, against Real Betis Balompié in Seville.
Lineups:
Villarreal Femenino: C. Carbonell; Nerea, Soldevila, L. Mata, C. Cubedo, Albeta; Pilar García (m.88, I. Miguélez), M. Llompart (Cienfu, m.63); Tere (Estefa, m.63), Kanteh (F. Lara, m.82), Sheila (Belén, m.82).
Levante Las Planas: Bačić; N. Garrote, Berta Bou, Mora, Esther; Muth (Lina Yang, m.46), Mrabet; E. Julve, M; Mari Paz (Chikwelu R., m.64), L. Martínez (Okobi-Oke m.46); Irina.
Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza. Booked: M. Llompart, Cienfu (Villarreal); Muth (Levante Las Planas).
Matchday information: Match corresponding to Gameweek 22 of the 2022/23 Finetwork Liga F season at the Mini Estadi at the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground. Attendance: 200.
