Betis B get a valuable draw from their visit to CD El Palo (0-0)

This Sunday, Betis B went to Malaga to measure forces with Centro de Deportes El Palo at the new San Ignacio stadium. El Palo, with an unbeaten home record this season, were a serious obstacle for the green-and-white reserves to return to getting positive results. The fight put up by Betis throughout the match led to them getting a valuable point, and staying yet another week at the top end of the table. 

Juan Merino presented a team with some changes, Álvaro González and Luis Madrigal on the wings, as well as Isaac's return to the defence, more specifically on the left. In the pre match press conference the Betis coach highlighted the importance of quickly adapting to the ground and his players showed they had taken his message on board; They started the game with total concentration, not allowing CD El Palo to make advances and with their sights set on their rival's goal. Fabián was the first to put Pol Ballesté to the test with a medium-distance low shot. The home teams reply came from Zamorano, who shot from in front of the goal did not have the required precision. A very active Álvaro González could have opened the scoring in the 20th minute of the match but the ball skimmed the wrong side of the post. There was no truce between the opponents and every attacking move created danger. In the final stages of the first half the balance came close to being tipped. Luis Madrigal had a go for Betis, whilst Pirulo had the best chance for El Palo striking the crossbar of a freekick taken on the wing.

In the second half CD El Palo tried to control the pace from the outset getting into the green-and-white area in the fourth minute of the second half with a piece of play by Gaspar who took the ball to the goal line culminating in a 'shot' by Zamorano which ended in Javi Montoya's hands. Betis B were not prepared to yield under the pressure of the team from Malaga when, moments later, Álex Alegría gave his reply; His header was just a little to high going over the crossbar. As the minutes went by the rhythm dropped. Betis stood up solidly to the home team's attacks, which mainly originated from set pieces. Merino made some changes putting Juanma and Lolo on, a return to match play for the latter after his injury. In the 87th minute Durán could have opened the scoring but his shot under pressure was not accurate enough. It was the best opportunity in the second half, in whioch there were much less than in the first half. The match finished in a draw and Betis B came away with one point.

 

CD El Palo: Pol Ballesté, Manolo Gaspar, Igna, Jesule, Iván Márquez, Cala, Damián Zamorano (Marín 72’), Quique de la Mota (Amaya 65’), Pirulo (Cardellino 79’), Durán and Juanillo.

Betis B: Javi Montoya, Rafa Navarro, Isaac, Caro, José Carlos, De la Hoz, Álvaro González (Juanma 64’), Carlos García (Lolo 76’), Álex Alegría, Fabián and Luis Madrigal.

Goals: No goals.