The Lionesses close to draw at La Palmera

Athletic Club Women come back from Tenerife empty-handed. Iraia Iturregi’s side lost 3-2 in a tightly-contested match in which they went down 2-0 in the first twenty minutes after conceding two penalties.

Athletic got off to the worst possible start. Less than ten minutes in, the match official awarded UDG Tenerife a penalty for a handball by Vanes Gimbert even though it had struck her face. Pisco converted from the spot. And she did so again ten minutes later. This time after Irene Oguiza clearly fouled María José in the box.

Barely 20 minutes had gone by and Athletic were already 2-0 down. The pitch and the extreme winds at La Palmera meant every high ball was a danger. In the 3oth minute, Naroa Uriarte headed over the crossbar.

The Lionesses came out fired up after the break. Oihan Valdezate put Athletic within touching distance in the 55th minute, scoring a header at the near post from Marta Perea’s corner. Hopes of a comeback were dashed quickly when Koko struck from outside the area in the 64th minute.

With ten minutes left, Vanesa Gimbert caught a rebound with her left foot to make it 3-2. The Lionesses kept going till the end and Tenerife had opportunities to score again too. The Lionesses couldn’t break their duck at La Palmera, where they have never picked up a point.