The reserve team lost by a narrow margin to St. Joseph’s FC in a friendly match at El Ciprés

The reserve team lost by a narrow margin (0-1) to St. Joseph’s Football Club in a friendly match played this Wednesday, September 30, at the El Ciprés soccer field, located next to the Estepona Convention Center. The Estepona team, made up mostly of players from the Juvenil A squad and featuring four players from the reserve team, put in a solid performance against an opponent with a higher competitive intensity.
The match, which began at 6:00 p.m., was played in a two-halves, 35-minute format and served as an opportunity for CD Estepona’s reserve team to continue their preparation and give playing time to young players.

An Opponent with a Higher Level of Competition

St. Joseph’s FC, coached by Javier Muñoz, entered the friendly during a break in their competitive schedule. The Gibraltar-based team is currently near the top of the Gibraltar First Division and also has recent experience in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers, so they came into the match with a high competitive intensity.
Despite the difference in experience and intensity between the two teams, the Estepona reserve team, coached by Carlos Díaz, took the field with great intensity and competed from the very first minute.
The Gibraltar side had greater possession and managed to impose their tactical superiority at times, which is understandable given the players’ profiles and the current competitive form of both teams. However, the reserve team maintained good defensive organization and managed to prevent their opponent from creating too many clear-cut chances.

Strong Performance by the Reserve Team and Spotlight on the Young Players

With a roster consisting mainly of players from the Juvenil A team, along with four regulars from the reserve team, the Estepona squad displayed a positive attitude throughout the 70 minutes of play.
In possession, the reserve team also managed to mount some promising attacks that could have resulted in more dangerous chances. Although St. Joseph’s FC had greater control of the match and displayed superior tactical play, the home team managed to stay in the game thanks to their intensity and defensive effort.
The margin of defeat ended up being minimal, reflecting the effort put forth by CD Estepona’s young players against a team that currently competes at the top of Gibraltar’s top division.

Taufek Decided the Friendly

The only goal of the match came in the second half and was scored by Taufek, a left-footed winger for St. Joseph’s Football Club.
The forward received the ball on the wing and launched a solo run in which he managed to shake off two Estepona players. After cutting inside, Taufek found space and finished the play with a low shot aimed at the far post, which the reserve team’s goalkeeper had no chance of stopping.
The goal proved to be enough for St. Joseph’s FC to secure a 0-1 victory.

A Learning Experience for the Reserve Team

Beyond the result, the match allowed the reserve team and the Youth A players to face a team of a high competitive level with international experience.
The Estepona team failed to score, but left a positive impression, especially on defense, keeping the match open until the end against an opponent that had more control and greater tactical experience.
This match served as a valuable learning experience for the young players of CD Estepona and allowed the coaching staff to continue evaluating the players ahead of the upcoming competitive matches.

Match Details
Reserves 0-1 St. Joseph’s Football Club
Date: September 30, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Venue: El Ciprés, Estepona
Competition: Friendly
Goal: Taufek