Self-esteem boosting win

The first win of the year arrived for the women’s team at Lezama. The red-and-whites, with six players on the injury list, prevailed over Valencia, making a great impression on their audience. Lucía García, top goal scorer with 6 goals, scored the only goal in a game where Vanesa Gimbert, sensational in the defence, played her 200th match for the Red and Whites.

Athletic players were well placed on the pitch in the first half of the match. Villacampa’s side had a great start, dominating every aspect of the game, although not creating any scoring chances. The game was mostly played on Valencia CF’s half of the field. A great chance took place on 7 minutes with a fine deep pass from Damaris to Erika, who sent the ball to Azkona from her advanced midfield position, but she could not reach it. Even clearer was the opportunity the player from Iruña had on 28 minutes when a clearance made by Pi fell at her feet but her attempt was off target. Valencia tried their luck with a shot from Beltrán and an incursion from Calligaris that Ainhoa saved well. Erika Vázquez and María Díaz tried it from outside the box right before the break, but the match remained goalless.

Coming back from the dressing room, the Red and Whites, as they had done it in the first half, came on the pitch with strength, but creating more chances this time. First, it was Azkona who stepped on the goal line but her pass could not find anyone. After that, she was disallowed a goal because of off-side position. Oroz slammed the ball against the bar and Damaris gave it a try from outside the box. On 74 minutes, the goal arrived for the Lionesses. Erika made a great pass to Lucía, who dribbled with her left foot and with her right one she took the shot that opened the scoring. The sixth goal the international player has scored in the league.

Valencia CF hardly entered their opponents’ side of the field in the second half. Irene Ferreras’ squad would have been witnesses of the second goal against if a header from Damaris had not hit the bar. The Lionesses were superior to their rivals and believed in their victory. The first victory of the year, which brings the side great reassurance before travelling to A Coruña next week in order to face Deportivo Abanca.