The reserve team suffered a crushing defeat against CD Campanillas (3-0), while the Youth A team salvaged a point at the very last moment (3-3)

A weekend of contrasts for CD Estepona’s youth teams. The Reserve Team suffered a tough 3-0 loss to CD Campanillas on Matchday 5 of the Primera Andaluza Senior league, while the Youth A Team managed a dramatic 3-3 draw against CD EF José Santacruz in the Segunda Andaluza Youth league. These two results mean there is a lot of work ahead for both teams, who will look to bounce back in their respective matches next round.

The Reserve Team Falls to a Superior CD Campanillas (3-0)

The Reserve Team suffered a decisive 3-0 loss to CD Campanillas in their match on Matchday 5 of the Primera Andaluza Sénior (Málaga), played on Saturday, October 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the Campo Municipal José Villegas.
The Estepona team put in a performance well below expectations, outplayed by an opponent that knew how to take advantage of the field conditions, dictate the pace of the game, and capitalize on the visitors’ mistakes. A failure to adapt to the field, a lack of decisiveness on second balls, and struggles to create scoring opportunities were some of the key factors that defined the match.
CD Campanillas opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Cristian Prieto, who put the home team ahead and made it an uphill battle for the Rojillo reserve team. The Malaga-based team continued to assert its superiority and extended its lead in the 56th minute, when Antonio Gutiérrez made it 2-0.
In the closing stages, Mario Luque sealed the victory with the third goal in the 86th minute, confirming a defeat that reflects the Estepona team’s struggles throughout the 90 minutes.

Lack of Adaptability, Decisiveness, and Ability to React

Beyond the result, the impression left by the reserve team was concerning. The team was far from its best, both in attitude and in its ability to adapt to the dimensions of the field—a factor that CD Campanillas knew how to exploit throughout the match.
The home team dominated much of the match through set pieces, corner kicks, and free kicks, in addition to winning numerous second-ball situations. The opposing team knew when to play the ball around and when to go for a more direct, vertical approach, constantly creating difficulties for the Estepona defense.
Rebounds also proved decisive. On several occasions, the reserve team failed to win the 50-50 balls and allowed CD Campanillas to extend their attacks until they found favorable scoring opportunities.
The red-and-white team had a few forays into the opponent’s half and created a couple of clear chances, but they lacked offensive consistency and the ability to turn those opportunities into genuine threats. Not even the presence of players from the first team—such as Pomares, Ties, and Albert—allowed them to change the momentum of the match or find a way to the opponent’s goal.
The conclusion is clear: the reserve team needs to step up as soon as possible. Despite having players with potential, the team has yet to function as a solid unit and must improve its performance to reverse a trend that is beginning to cause concern.

The Reserve Team, 17th with four points

After the first five matchdays of the Primera Andaluza Sénior, CD Estepona’s reserve team sits in 17th place with four points, having recorded one win, one draw, and three losses.
There is clearly room for improvement, and the upcoming match presents an opportunity to start turning things around.
On Matchday 6, the Estepona team will play at home against UD Fuengirola Los Boliches, which currently sits in 10th place with one win, two draws, and two losses. The opponent is coming off a resounding 5-1 victory over CD Unión Manilva CF.
This is an important match for the reserve team to bounce back, improve its performance, and begin to demonstrate the potential expected of the squad.

The Juvenil A team salvaged a draw in the 89th minute against CD EF José Santacruz (3-3)

The Youth A team earned a point on their visit to CD EF José Santacruz after drawing 3-3 in an intense match played on Saturday, October 10, at 6:00 p.m. at the Fernando Hierro Municipal Stadium, as part of Matchday 5 of the Segunda Andaluza Juvenil (Málaga).
The Estepona team went into the match needing to start earning points to climb out of the bottom of the standings. Despite the challenging away environment and trailing on the scoreboard for much of the match, the “Rojillos” showed resilience to salvage a draw in the final minutes.
The match got off to the best possible start for the Juvenil A team. Pablo Alejandro Chillarón put the visiting team ahead in the 6th minute, giving Estepona the lead early on.
However, CD EF José Santacruz responded and managed to equalize in the 25th minute thanks to Rodrigo Molina. Before halftime, Pablo Guerrero completed the home team’s comeback with a 2-1 lead in the 39th minute.
The second half didn’t start well for CD Estepona either. Manuel Cortés extended the home team’s lead in the 55th minute, making it 3-1 and forcing the visitors to redouble their efforts to stay in the game.
The Juvenil A team didn’t give up and found a way to get back into the game. Hugo Flores narrowed the gap in the 72nd minute to make it 3-2, restoring hope for the red-and-white squad.
Just when the match seemed headed for a home victory, Guido Ballejos stepped up in the 89th minute to score the game-tying goal, making it 3-3 and securing a point for CD Estepona in the closing moments.

A Point to Start Building a Comeback

The draw leaves mixed feelings. On one hand, the team conceded three goals again and will need to keep working to improve its defensive performance. On the other hand, it was able to create several clear chances and compete until the very end, avoiding a loss that would have further complicated its position in the standings.
The match was influenced by the small size of the field, a setting in which CD EF José Santacruz was able to operate comfortably and played aggressively. It was an even and hard-fought match, in which the Juvenil A team struggled to find open spaces and play their style of soccer consistently.
Despite the difficulties, the Estepona team had between four and five very clear scoring chances, a fact that suggests the team can improve its results if it manages to maintain that ability to create opportunities and increase its efficiency.
The roster features good players, although many of them are first-year players, so adapting to the division is taking time. The goal now is to continue growing, build confidence, and establish a positive momentum that will allow the team to turn their hard work into results.
The point earned this matchday could prove valuable if the team manages to follow it up with a victory in their next game.

The Juvenil A Team, Fifteenth with Two Points

After five matchdays in the Segunda Andaluza Juvenil, the Juvenil A team sits in 15th place with two points, with a record of two draws and three losses, having yet to secure a victory.
This situation forces the team to turn things around, but the draw against CD EF José Santacruz presents an opportunity to try to reverse the trend in the coming weeks.
On Matchday 6, the Youth A team will host AD Malaka CF, which currently sits in 13th place with a record of one win and three losses, having played one fewer match.
Playing in front of their home crowd, the Estepona team will have another chance to secure their first win of the season and begin climbing the standings.

Next Matchday: Two Opportunities to Turn Things Around

CD Estepona’s two youth teams will approach their upcoming matches with similar goals: to improve their performances and start turning their potential into results.
The reserve team must address the issues with adaptation, concentration, and decisiveness that were exposed against CD Campanillas. For its part, the Juvenil A team will look to build on the last-minute point it earned to gain confidence and take a step forward against AD Malaka CF.
There is still room for improvement this season, but both teams need to show progress in the coming matches. The challenge lies in regaining their form, strengthening their teamwork, and starting to rack up wins that will help them move away from the bottom of their respective standings.

Source: Official match reports from the Royal Andalusian Soccer Federation (RFAF) and statements and information provided by Antonio Sánchez, coordinator of CD Estepona’s reserve team and Youth A squad, whom we thank for his collaboration in sharing his insights and details on the course of both matches.

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