Five goals, two red cards, and three points for Estepona

A superb Alfonso Candelas lit up the Muñoz Pérez stadium by scoring two goals worthy of the league’s best forwards, leading Estepona to a victory over Atlético Central after taking the lead three times

CD Estepona secured its second consecutive victory against Atlético Central at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez Stadium, in a match that featured periods of home dominance, comebacks by the Seville-based team, one red card for each side, numerous fouls, and excitement right up to the final minute. The three points, in front of 1,711 spectators, bring Manolo Sánchez’s team to 10 points and sixth place in Group IV of the Second Federation at the end of Matchday 6.

A Stunning Start and Candelas’s Header

Estepona started the match in control and had a good chance in the 8th minute that Ariel Herrero was unable to capitalize on. He did make the most of it in the 17th minute: a great through ball from Julen Jon Guerrero found Ballarín, who set up a cross from Héber Pena that Candelas headed into the net from the far post for the 1-0 lead.

The home team controlled possession and had several chances to score a second goal against an Atlético Central side that had completely dropped back. However, Estepona failed to capitalize on that dominance, and in the final ten minutes of the first half, the Seville-based team began pushing forward. In the 41st minute, Héctor Oliva deflected a shot by Juan Antonio for a corner kick.

Penalty Kick Before Halftime

The play that changed the score came in the final stretch of the first half. A tussle between a visiting forward and Caro inside the box was ruled a penalty by the referee, which Manu Gavilán converted to make it 1-1 (45'), the score at halftime.

A perfect start to the second half

Estepona reacted immediately. In the 47th minute, a cross from the right wing following a great dribble by Samu Expósito—who had come on at halftime along with Titi—was finished off by Candelas with his foot to make it 2-1, his second goal of the afternoon.

The match became more physical from that point on, with numerous fouls, cards, and constant interruptions. Between the 53' and 57', Sachetti, Quini, and Bornes were shown yellow cards for the visiting team. Manolo Sánchez made a substitution, bringing on Bakary Sow in the 68th minute, but a defensive lapse allowed the equalizer: Juan Antonio headed in a cross in the 73rd minute to make it 2-2, his fifth goal in six games.

Sandji Seals the Win in a Finale with Two Red Cards

Baradji had come on for Arriaza in that same 73rd minute and didn’t take long to make an impact. In the 79th minute, Jaime, who had entered the game in the 59th minute, was shown a straight red card for a hard tackle on Caro, and Atlético Central was reduced to ten men. On the very next play, in the 80th minute, Sandji headed in a fine cross from Bakary Sow to make it 3-2.

The final minutes were extremely tense, with Samu Expósito receiving two rather harsh yellow cards: one in the 85th minute and a second in the 87th, which also left Estepona with ten players. There was no time for further changes to the score, and the points stayed at home.

A result that shakes up the standings

With this victory, Estepona reaches 10 points and moves into sixth place. Atlético Central, newly promoted to the division, suffered its second consecutive loss and sits in 14th place, just above CD Estepona’s next opponent: Marbella FC.

Match Details

CD Estepona: Héctor Oliva; Candelas, Yuste, Heber Pena (Samu Expósito, 46'), Julen Jon, Ariel Herrero (Pablo Aguilar, 89'), Ale Contreras, Ballarín (Bakary Sow, 68'), Antonio Marín (Titi, 46'), Caro, and Pablo Arriaza (Baradji, 73').

Atlético Central: Antonio Santos; Álex Martínez, Sachetti (Jaime, 59'), Jesús Alfaro (Pablo Osborne, 59'), Fausto Tienza, Manu Gavilán (Condan, 77'), Juan Antonio, Pedro Bornes, Raúl Navas, Hugo Esteban (Ale Ríos, 82'), and Quini (Hugo Pech, 59').

Goals: 1-0, min. 17: Candelas (assist by Heber Pena). 1-1, min. 45: Manu Gavilán (on a penalty kick). 2-1, min. 47: Candelas (assist by Samu Expósito). 2-2, min. 73: Juan Antonio (assist by Pablo Osborne). 3-2, min. 80: Baradji (assist by Bakary Sow).

Yellow cards: for Estepona, Antonio Marín (45'), Ballarín (45'), Candelas (84'), and Samu Expósito (85'); for Atlético Central: Raúl Navas (9'), Sachetti (53'), Quini (55'), and Pedro Bornes (57').

Ejections: Jaime (Atlético Central), direct red card in the 79th minute; Samu Expósito (Estepona), for two yellow cards in the 87th minute.

Notes: Matchday 6 of Group IV in the Segunda Federación, played at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez Municipal Stadium in front of 1,711 spectators—nearly a hundred more than in the match against CD Don Benito.

Estepona now faces the derby against Marbella FC on Sunday, October 18, at 12:00 p.m. at La Dama de Noche.

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