Miguel Álvarez’s side put in a great performance and fought until the final whistle (2-1)
Villarreal B lost 2-1 against UD Melilla in a match where the Yellows were better than their opponents as they fought for the comeback at the Álvarez Claro. A goal from Mario González put Miguel Álvarez’s side ahead, who hit the bar twice and constantly put the home side under pressure. A goal by Menudo in the 64th minute and a counter by Alfonso in added time gave the win to Melilla, who went through to the next round.
After the game at the Mini Estadi, it was not all over. Despite UD Melilla having a two goal advantage, Villarreal B went onto the Álvarez Claro pitch with the conviction to turn the tie around. The first 20 minutes was a masterclass in football by Álvarez’s boys, who could have gone ahead at least twice from set plays. The first chance saw Simón Moreno just fail to score from a González cross, just before the Mini Submarine hit the abr.
The scare woke up UD Melilla, who, three minutes later, nearly made the most of a defensive error by the Yellows. With half an hour on the clock, it was end to end.
The last minutes of the first half saw Álvarez’s side react once more. In the 41st minute, González headed the Yellows in front, after a great assist by Xavi Quintillà. Before half-time, Moreno could have made it two, but was unlucky to see his shot just stay out.
The second half started with a Villarreal B barrage on the home side’s goals. The Yellows were determined to make it 0-2. In the 55th minute, González made Daniel Barrio pull off a great save, and UD Melilla were on the ropes.
In the 64th minute, with the Mini Submarine dominating the game, UD Melilla managed to get the equaliser on the day. Menudo got on the edge of a Traoré pass, and crossed the ball into the box, but it ended up in the back of the net. The goal did not affect the Yellows, who continued fighting for the comeback.
In the 87th minute, Mario hit the woodwork once more. With Villarreal B throwing everything forward, UD Melilla scored on the counter through Alfonso.
After the defeat, the Mini Submarine end their season in the first round of the play-offs for Segunda División. It is the second season in a row that Álvarez’s side have reached the promotion play-offs.
Lineups:
UD Melilla: Daniel Barrio; José Romero, Jilmar, Richi, Chakla; Alfonso Martín, Otegui (Álvaro, m. 82), Óscar García (Igor Martínez, m. 87), Heber Pena (Traoré, m. 45); Menudo, Ruano.
Villarreal B: Diego Fuoli; Andrei, Castaño (Riera, m. 75), Roger, Quintillà; Ramón Bueno, Iván Martín, Morlanes (Akale, m. 70); Simón (Nikola, m. 60), Villa, Mario.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 41: Mario González. 1-1. Min. 64: Menudo. 2-1. Min. 92: Alfonso.
Referee: Francisco José Hernández. Booked: Jilmar, Richi, Alfonso (Melilla); Andrei, Ramón, Castaño (Villarreal B).
Incidencias: First leg of the first round of the Segunda División B play-off between UD Melilla and Villarreal B at the Álvarez Claro. A minute’s silence was held for footballer José Antonio Reyes, who died in a traffic accident.
