Sara Monforte’s side deserved much more against Sporting Club de Huelva
A painful defeat. Villarreal Women deserved a lot more against Sporting Club de Huelva, but lost 2-3. The yellow goals came from Claudia Iglesias and María Llompart, the latter from the penalty spot. With two direct rivals facing each other to avoid relegation, the match was of great importance. This need to win influenced the way the game developed in the early stages. Neither team took too many risks in their attacking moves, so the defences were imposing themselves with ease.
The first big chance of the game came in the 26th minute when Estefa Lima found herself alone in front of Mersnik, but her left-footed shot was too close and did not trouble the goalkeeper, who made a good save.
Villarreal were getting better and better as the minutes passed. So much so that they again came close to scoring. Sheila brought the ball down with her head for Belén to head home from close range. It missed the target by inches.
In the second half, Sara Monforte made two changes in search of greater effectiveness in front of goal. María Llompart and Kanteh replaced Estefa and Belén.
The chances kept coming for the Yellows. Pancha Lara had a chance with a powerful left-footed shot that Mersnik was able to keep out, while Kanteh’s subsequent effort was blocked by the defence.
The reward came soon after. Another superb Villarreal Women combination saw Kanteh break down the right flank and crossed the ball low into the heart of the box for Claudia Iglesias to score (1-0, m.59).
Sporting Club de Huelva reacted almost immediately. A cross from the left was headed into the net by ADT, who had only just entered the field of play (1-1, m.67).
The visitors managed to turn the score around thanks to Maria Ruiz. Sporting Club de Huelva’s No.9 turned in the area and fired a shot that Carmen Carbonell could do nothing about. Too much punishment.
The game entered a frantic phase in which Villarreal Women managed to equalise again. They did so after a bizarre move inside the box that ended in a penalty for a handball from the ground by S. Castelló. Maria Llompart took the responsibility and scored from the spot (2-2, m. 84).
Despite being a player down, Sporting Club de Huelva made it 2-3. It came from Balcerzak, who headed home another lobbed ball.
Villarreal Women’s next game will be away against Levante Las Planas (Saturday, 12pm CET).
Lineups:
Villarreal Women: C. Carbonell; Giménez (Nerea, m. 56), Lara Mata, I. Miguélez, F. Lara; Ainoa, Soldevila, Claudia Iglesias (Cienfu, m. 88); Estefa (M. Llompart, m. 49), Belén (Kanteh, m. 49) and Sheila.
Sporting Club de Huelva: Mersnik; Paula Romero, Ballesté, Patri Ojeda, Carrasco; Mar S. Castelló, Kühn, C. Gey (Balcerzak, m.61); Hmírová and Bárbara (ADT, m.61).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 59: Claudia Iglesias. 1-1. Min. 67: ADT. 1-2. Min. 80: Maria Ruiz. 2-2. Min. 84: Maria Llompart, penalty kick. 2-3. Min. 93: Balcerzak.
Referee: Paola Cebollada López. Sent off: S. Castelló (m. 83, Sporting Club de Huelva).
Matchday information: Game corresponding to Matchday 12 of the Finetwork Liga F played at the Mini Estadi at the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground.
