Castellón see off Atlético B to maintain perfect home record (2-0)

The rain may have made an appearance at Castalia on Sunday night, but that did not stop Castellón from maintaining their perfect home record so far this season and cementing their place at the top of the Primera RFEF Group 2 in another impressive performance. Atlético B did well in moments, but could do nothing to stop the steamroller that is Dick Schreuder’s Castellón.

The albinegres opened the scoring with their real chance of the game with only 5 minutes played, after some high pressing from Castellón led to De Miguel getting the ball back and finding Villahermosa. The midfielder then squared it to the unmarked Medunjanin, who slotted home.

The home side continued to generate chances, with a shot from outside the area going wide and a free kick finding the gloves of Iturbe. However, Atlético B managed to get themselves a foothold in a game with a decent amount of ball possession, which limited Castellón’s attacking opportunities (at least more than usual) in the first 25 minutes.

Just before the thirty-minute mark, Jesús De Miguel thought he had scored after being played through; however, the assistant deemed him to be offside, despite the ball seemingly coming off an Atlético player before reaching the Castellón striker. That was followed by a shot from outside the box by Villahermosa that went narrowly wide, as Castellón ramped up the pressure to close out the first half. Chirino also went close before the end of the first half, but Castellón went into the break just a goal up although much the better side.

The second half started much the same as the way the first half ended, as Raúl Sánchez’s overlapping run and shot forced another save from Iturbe in the Atlético goal. However, more good defensive play by the visitors saw Castellón’s chances restricted, with not many clear opportunities for either side.

That was until the introduction of Cristian in the place of Julio Gracia, whose very first involvement was a well-hit corner to the near post. Óscar Gil attacked it well and put the ball past Iturbe to double Castellón’s lead. Minutes later, it was Cristian again who played in De Miguel after some great team passing, but the striker had his goal disallowed for a second time.

With a two-goal cushion, Castellón sat back a bit more and looked to close out the game, and Atlético took advantage to come forward and create their best chances of the game late on. Gonzalo Crettaz had to make two good saves to deny the colchoneros and give Castellón their second clean sheet of the season.

The albinegres' winning streak now stands at five, having only dropped two points in nine games so far this season. Up next is a road trip with games against San Fernando and then midweek in the cup against Cacereño.

CD Castellón XI: Crettaz, Indias, Óscar Gil, Salva Ruiz, Calavera, Chirino (De León 81), Villahermosa, Julio Gracia (Cristian 70), Raúl Sánchez, Medunjanin (Alberto 81), De Miguel

Atlético Madrid B XI: Iturbe, Puga (Arumí 72), Kostis, Moreno (Gómez 46), Pérez, Ndiaye (Maroto 60), Guerrero, Gismera, Da Costa (El Jebari 60), Diego Bri, Touaizi (Niño 78)

Referee: Pablo Monterrubio Torres