CD Estepona earned a point in the derby against Marbella FC after a match with numerous scoring chances

CD Estepona drew 0-0 against Marbella FC at the Dama de Noche Football - Banús Football Center, in the match corresponding to Matchday 7 of Group IV of the Segunda Federación. The red-and-white team had clear chances to take home the three points, hit the post once, and relied on Héctor Oliva, one of their standout players, to keep a clean sheet during the moments of greatest pressure from the home side.
The Costa del Sol derby ended scoreless despite the chances created by both teams. Manolo Sánchez’s team started the first half slowly but picked up the pace and had chances to take the lead, while Marbella FC increased its offensive presence after halftime. In the final stretch, Estepona pushed for the win again and came close to scoring through David Pomares.

Estepona Gains Momentum and Jorge Álvarez Hits the Post

The match began with intensity, as Marbella FC tried to capitalize on their early momentum. Barely two minutes had passed when Tahiru tested Héctor Oliva with a header that the visiting goalkeeper managed to stop.
Estepona grew into the game as the minutes passed, improving their play with the ball and finding spaces to get close to the opponent’s box. In the 12th minute, Ballarín had a chance to open the scoring, though the red-and-whites were unable to capitalize on it.
The visitors’ clearest chance came in the 24th minute. Jorge Álvarez hit the post, and on the rebound, Ale Contreras failed to find the net. The former Marbella player came very close to putting Estepona ahead in a match in which the red-and-whites created danger with their attacks.
Shortly afterward, Estepona came close to scoring again with an offensive play that ended with a shot by Ale Contreras blocked by a home defender and a follow-up attempt that sailed over the crossbar.
Marbella also had opportunities during the first half. Juanma tried his luck from the edge of the box, and Naldo had a double chance inside the area, but Héctor Oliva responded confidently to keep the score tied. The goalkeeper once again proved his importance in a match where both teams struggled to convert their chances into goals.
The first half ended 0-0, with the feeling that the score could have gone either way.

Héctor Oliva Keeps Estepona in the Game in the Second Half

The second half began with another clear chance for CD Estepona. In the 50th minute, Julen Jon was denied by a great save from Bloch, who prevented the visitors from scoring with a decisive save.
After that play, Marbella began to gain momentum on offense and forced the red-and-whites to work hard on defense. The home team strung together several corner kicks and sought to capitalize on the support of their fans to take the lead.
Manolo Sánchez made substitutions to inject fresh energy into the team. Pablo Arriaza came on for Jorge Álvarez at the start of the second half, while Bakary replaced Ballarín in the 66th minute. Later, Héber Pena and Pablo Aguilar replaced Ariel Herrero and Sandji Baradji.
Marbella also made substitutions to boost their offense and created some of their best chances in the middle and final stages of the second half.
In the 78th minute, Héctor Oliva was once again decisive with a save that prevented the home team from scoring. Shortly afterward, Marbella had two very clear chances: first, Adri Fernández came face-to-face with the visiting goalkeeper following a counterattack led by Pito Camacho; then, Juanma was also unable to beat the Rojillo goalkeeper.
Estepona weathered the moments of greatest pressure from the home team and managed to keep a clean sheet, although the match still held opportunities for the visitors.

Pomares Had the Game-Winning Goal in the Final Stretch

As the match neared its conclusion, CD Estepona turned its attention back to the opponent’s goal. David Pomares came on in the 81st minute to replace Ale Contreras and had two chances to change the outcome.
The first ended with a shot from the edge of the box that the home goalkeeper stopped. The second was an even clearer chance: Pomares received the ball inside the box and fired a point-blank shot, but a Marbella defender managed to block it.
Marbella responded in the final minutes with a shot by Lanchi from the edge of the box that grazed the post. Neither team found the back of the net, and the derby ended in a scoreless draw.
The result allows CD Estepona to extend its streak to three consecutive weeks without a loss, although the team leaves with the feeling that it had enough chances to earn more than just a point. At the end of the matchday, CD Estepona sits in 7th place with 11 points and a record of 3 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses.

Manolo Sánchez: “We Had More Than Enough Chances to Win the Game”

After the match, CD Estepona coach Manolo Sánchez expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance and highlighted the opportunities created over the course of the ninety minutes.
The Rojillo coach defended his team’s attacking approach and stated that the goal was to secure the win, regardless of whether the final result ended up being a draw.
“I think we had more than enough chances—more than enough—to have easily won the game, both in the first half and in the second half,” explained the coach, who also highlighted the team’s ball control and ability to create scoring opportunities.
Manolo Sánchez acknowledged that Marbella had its moments in the second half, especially when it strung together several corner kicks and forced Héctor Oliva into action. However, he felt that Estepona had done enough to earn the three points.
The coach also highlighted the team’s lack of finishing in front of the goal, an issue that, as he explained, had already affected the team in previous matches:

“What’s missing for us to be that effective? That’s right—putting it in. Once it goes in, it changes your whole perspective.”

Despite the lack of goals, the coach expressed pride in his players’ work and the mindset with which they approach matches. “If I have to settle for a draw, it has to be by going out there and fighting for the win,” he stated, emphasizing that the team wants to maintain an approach focused on seeking victory.

Coach Highlights Fan Support and Commitment to the Youth Academy

Manolo Sánchez also thanked the Estepona fans for making the trip to Marbella. The coach highlighted the support received during the derby and the encouragement the players felt throughout the match.
In addition, he praised the contributions of Estepona players such as Pablo Aguilar and David Pomares, and emphasized the importance of continuing to promote youth academy players so they can play a leading role on the first team.
Finally, the coach was asked about Abraham Gutiérrez Perera’s officiating. Although he acknowledged that refereeing is a difficult job, he avoided elaborating on his assessment and noted that the team should focus on the positive aspects of its performance.

Marbella FC vs. CD Estepona Match Report

Result: Marbella FC 0–0 CD Estepona.
Competition: Segunda Federación, Group IV.
Matchday: 7.
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026.
Stadium: Dama de Noche Football - Banús Football Center, Marbella.
Referee: Abraham Gutiérrez Perera.
Assistant Referees: Leonardo González Cayón and José Miguel Catalán Pérez.
Marbella FC: Bloch, Lanchi, Naldo, Juan Rodríguez, Dani Fernández, Tahiru, Mizzian, Víctor Mena, Ohemeng, Enrique, and Juanma. Adri Fernández, Santos, Pito Camacho, Marcos Olguín, and Thiago also played.
CD Estepona: Héctor Oliva, Jorge Álvarez, Candelas, Yuste, Julen Jon, Ariel Herrero, Ale Contreras, Ballarín, Sandji Baradji, Marín, and Caro. Pablo Arriaza, Bakary, Héber Peña, Pablo Aguilar, and David Pomares also played.
Goals: None.
Yellow Cards: Candelas, Enrique, Dani Fernández, Yuste, and Julen Jon.

CD Estepona Fans | The Voice of the Fans