Sporting Club Aguileno vs Mazarrón FC

Match report from Tony Jarvis

SC Aguileno 0 v Mazarron FC 1

Having read the last four reports of the matches involving Mazarron FC, it was with some trepidation that your guest reporter travelled with the Mazarron away supporters to this the fifth match of the new campaign.

The match was played on an artificial surface at a sporting complex on the outskirts of Aguilas and the 23 away supporters arrived in time to obtain refreshments from the Cantina and settle in their seats.

The Mazarron team lined up as: - Antonio (1) in goal; Juanfran (2), Alberto (4), and Mounir (16) as a back three, with Juanlu (5) playing just in front of them. Midfield consisted of Rollon (14), Santi (15), with Hafid (11) and Juan Andreo (18) playing as wide men, and Jose (9) and Juanito (10) playing up front.

The first 5 minutes was nearly all Aguileno and Antonio found himself pressed on a number of occasions by the opposition forwards. The first corner of the game went to Aguileno, but thankfully came to nought. But for the next five minutes or so it was all Aguileno on the attack and they accumulated 3 corners in succession during this time.

It wasn’t until the 11 minute that Mazarron made any meaningful incursion into the Aguileno last third of the field and collected a corner. However, the centre was cleared but only as far as Hafid, who managed to shot well over the posts – in another sport with an oval ball it might have fetched three points – perhaps England needed him!

Over the next quarter of an hour or so Mazarron started to come more into the game, and their attacks were much considered and the midfield were starting to collect second balls as they were being cleared by the Aguileno defence.

Hafid in particular operating on the left wing took on the Aguileno right back on a number of occasions and had the better of him quite frequently; however the ball into the box was not always reaching a Mazarron player, and it seemed at times as if Jose was a little too close to Hafid and the ball was passing him by.

Throughout this time of Mazarron supremacy it did seem as if the forwards and the midfield runners were trying to pass the ball too much and into the net, when a few shots on goal might have been a better option. When they did shoot on target the shot was too soft and gathered by the Aguileno goal minder.

As the half wore on Mazarron were clearly in the ascendency, but had to be very vigilant as the Aguileno forwards were very quick on the breakaway and Antonio was called into action a few times to help clear up, on one occasion having to come well out of his area to clear up field.

The referee, whether by instruction from the Murcia Federation, or from his own inclination, was displaying a zero tolerance of bad language on the field. Of the first 4 bookings (all of Aguileno players) three of them appeared to be for speaking out of turn. Whether it was for questioning his lineage, or just bad language in general we weren’t able to ascertain.

The final action of the first half was a ‘route 1’ effort from Mazarron – Antonio kicked downfield, it was headed onto Jose, but his shot was too soft to trouble the keeper, and the half ended all square.

Half Time 0-0
Mazarron kicked off the second half and continued to dominate with their style of football which was to play it out of defence to the midfield. However, as Aguileno were pressing quickly when the ball arrived in midfield, the Mazarron midfielders had to be very quick not only to control the ball but also to pass it on. As the half wore on they did seem to get better at moving the ball to another Mazarron player; but far too often there was little penetration where it matters – in the penalty area.

In the 63 minute Mazarron made their first substitution with Andreo (3) coming on for Santi (15), with Mazarron continuing to dominate possession.

With about 20 minutes to play Mazarron did have three shots in succession on Aguileno goal, but all were blocked by either the goalkeeper or a defender on the line. But as mentioned before Aguileno could, and did, break quickly and on one occasion Mounir was booked for a foul which was to have personal ramifications later on.

With 75 minutes played Palote (8) came on for Rollon (14) the second Mazarron substitution, and this was to prove an inspired move by the Mazarron coach, as with 78 minutes played he was sent through by an excellent pass from the Mazarron midfield and he rounded the keeper to put the ball in the net.

Cue wild celebrations amongst the travelling support, including your unbiased reporter!

Score 0-1

Mazarron then made their third substitution with Enrique (6) coming on for Hafid (11), although it seems that Hafid must have said something to the referee, as he appeared to be booked as he was going off.

The last ten minutes of normal time was dominated by Aguileno as they sought an equaliser; and it was now the turn of the Mazarron defence to hold firm, with the midfield and forwards limited to breakaways. During this period Mazarron could have scored two further goals as they exploited space in the Aguileno defence as they pressed forward. On 86 minutes a good Mazarron move culminated in a shot that was cleared off the line by an Aguileno defender.

As the match moved into added on time Jose set off on a run and his shot hit the post and everybody would have heaved a sigh of relief; but as ever with Mazarron they like to keep their supporters hanging on!

On 90+5 in order to repel yet another Aguileno attack Mounir fouled their attempt near the edge of the penalty area on the left. As the referee reached in his pocket there was sinking feeling in your reporter’s heart, as he recalled the earlier yellow meaning that Mazarron would have to defend this free kick with only 10 men, and one of the sound defenders now retiring early on an involuntary basis.

Thankfully, Mazarron cleared the resultant free kick, but the referee still managed to find another 2 minutes of added on time – answers on a postcard if anyone can tell me where the extra seven minutes came from as I only counted 5 substitutions and one small delay (not more than 30 seconds) for treatment of a player.

However – at (very) long last the referee blew for full time.


Final score 0-1

Summary

Mazarron played some very tidy football; they always tried to find another Mazarron player with the ball and did not resort to long balls up field all the time.

The defence seem very assured about playing the ball at the back and bring it out of defence.

The midfield got better at retaining and moving the ball on as the match wore on; and the two wingers (Hafid and Juan Andreo) were both confident about taking on the opposing full-backs.

As this was Hafid’s first game, his and Jose’s understanding of each other’s positioning is a work in progress; but the win along with the way they try to play their football will give the Mazarron team a lot of confidence for the next game.

Your reporter’s view was that Mazarron played well in all parts of the field, and it was good to get the three points.

Man of the Match was Antonio who was in complete command of his area and the organisation of the defence.