Cádiz CF B left empty-handed from their visit to the group leaders at the Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras, after a match in which they dominated much of the first half but were caught out on the counter during the second.
The visitors dictated play from the start and this continued for large spells of the game, especially during the first 45 minutes. They went out onto the pitch of the Estadio Nuevo Mirador with their chests puffed out and immediately found their stride, taking the game to the leaders.
With Javi Martin active on the right and Mamady on the left, there was plenty of action coming from the wings, but there were few clear cut openings.
The intensity of the game increased towards the end of the first period when the referee called a trivial foul on the right-hand side against Cádiz player, Saturday, suggesting that he had prevented an opponent from getting to a ball that he was never likely to. That decision saw a flood of incensed yellow shirts and the resulting free-kick proved extremely dangerous, with Flere unable to stop the effort which smacked off the post.
The response from the Cádiz boys was not long in coming and it was Javi Martin who delighted those watching with more threatening play off the right wing. On this occasion he ended up cutting inside to let fly with a powerful shot that was blocked by the heel of an opponent.
But it was Duarte who had the best chance of the first half, hunting down a rebound in the heart of the opposition penalty box before seeing his effort hit the upright.
The second half saw Los Amarillos start with a bang and after just ten seconds Mamady had another great opportunity to open the scoring as he was slipped in before firing across goal.
But it was Algeciras that took the lead, from an attack down the left that was finished off with a powerful Serrano shot that was too good for Flere.
That goal clearly lifted Salva Ballesta's side, whose play moved several yards forward and saw them spend more time in the Cádiz area. It led to Ubis having a wonderful chance to make it two on the counter.
As Cádiz pushed everything forward to find an equaliser, again it was the counter attack that helped double the host's lead, a header from Mendes at the back post. It was also in that play when the visitors were reduced to ten men, Peters being shown his second yellow for preventing a goal with his hand.
After that, it could be said that the game petered out, Los Amarillos still trying to attack as best they could but the home side well organised and able to repel everything that came their way, while still looking dangerous on the break. That was their main weapon.
MATCH DETAILS:
ALGECIRAS CF: Vallejo, Alcázar, Dani Espejo, Iván, Ubis, Fran Serrano, Robin, Corbalán, Álvaro Romero (Raúl, 51’), Llinares, Serrano (Sales, 84’).
CÁDIZ CF B: Juan Flere, Javier Martín (Baró, 85'), Lautaro, Saturday, Peter, Duarte, Javi Pérez (Vázquez, 65’), Mamady (Chapela, 65’), Boselli, Sergi, Nieto.
GOALS: 1-0, Serrano (57’), 2-0, Mendes (78').
REFEREE: Peña Varela. Yellows for the home side’s Iván and also the visiting Sergio and Peter, that latter seeing red for a second caution in the 79th minute.
