2-0: A TOUGH DEFEAT IN SAN FERNANDO

PHOTO: GABY CUMBRERAS |

Ibiza lost to San Fernando in a match in which the home side had the clearer chances and the Ibizans' only real spell of concerted pressure came late on.

Ibiza had to contend with strong midday winds in the Iberoamericano stadium, especially in the first half when they found themselves playing into particularly strong gusts. San Fernando took advantage of the conditions and got as many balls into the box as possible, after various corners in the opening minutes the home side opened the scoring inside the quarter of an hour mark. Ibiza recovered from the early blow of conceding and grew into the game, with Marco Borriello leading the line and combining well with Javi Serra. The latter found himself one on one with the opposition goalkeeper in the 30th minute and finished with aplomb but the goal was disallowed for offside. On the stroke of half-time, the hosts launched a deep cross into the box which was carried onto the top of the Ibiza crossbar by a strong gust of wind, Álex Sánchez breathed a sigh of relief as it went out for a goal kick, and Ibiza went in at the break still very much in the contest.

The second half began with San Fernando hitting the bar once again. Ibiza hung on in defence and, with the introductions of Cirio, Fobi and Rodado, Andrés Palop put fresh legs on the pitch t try to get the equaliser. Rodado almost had an instant impact with a low drilled shot that whistled just wide of the San Fernando right post. Ibiza were pushing for the goal and getting more and bodies into the box, on one such occassion Borriello had a shot on goal blocked by an opposition defender and the resulting counter-attack ended with a goal for San Fernando.

A tough defeat for an Ibiza side who now have their sights set on next Sunday's home match against Marbella.