Our Women’s team registered their second consecutive win after beating RCD Espanyol at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque thanks to a second half goal from Marta Cardona.
From the start, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be an easy game for the visitors. But after strong start by the hosts, Gonzalo Arconada’s team managed to impose their own game on the match and dominated play for the remainder of the encounter. Bárbara Latorre came close to opening the scoring early on following a superb run into the box. Espanyol waited for an opportunity on the break but Adriana Nanclares denied them from taking the lead. The txuri urdin frontline incessantly pushed for an opening but they were faced with a robust defence which proved difficult to break past. An intense first-half ended without goals.
There were two changes for the second half - Manuela Lareo and Leire Baños coming on for Maddi Torre and Nerea Eizagirre, fresh legs in the search for an opening goal. The pace stepped up a notch with chances at both ends until minute 65, when Marta Cardona broke the deadlock with a shot from head-on. The Guipuzcoanas- persistence paid off. The rest of the game continued along similar lines with both teams looking to add to the scoreboard. Adriana Nanclares stood firm and stopped the Catalans from grabbing an equaliser on two occasions. That was how it continued up until the final whistle, a second victory – this time, away from home.
The second consecutive win – just one day after the premiere of the documentary ‘Sua-Irabazi Arte’ (Fire – the road to victory) at the Zinemaldi. So all in all it’s been a dream week for the team. Next up for Gonzalo Arconada’s troops, Athletic in the Basque derby. Today’s result is as good a reason as any for optimism.
Match details:
Real Sociedad: A. Nanclares, Lucía, Maddi (Manu, min.46), N. Mendoza, Iraia, Etxezarreta, Itxaso, Bárbara (Olaizola, min.80), N. Eizagirre (Baños, min.46), C. Bautista, M. Cardona (Tejada, min.84).
RCD Espanyol: Mimi, Ayaka (E. Del Estal, min.62), Soldevilla (Paula M. min.76), Inés, C. Baudet, A. Torrada, Brenda, E. Julve, Ainhoa M. (Yiyi, min.72) , Dulce Q, Alvarado (Débora, min.58).
Goals: 0-1: M. Cardona, min. 65
Referee: Eugenia Gil Soriano. Booked C. Baudet (RCD Espanyol).