Date & Time: Saturday 4^th September 2021 – 19:30

Competition: Primera RFEF Grupo II

Venue: Estadi Municipal de la Nova Creu Alta

Author: Les McKee

After the joy of defeating Real Madrid Castilla on home turf last Sunday, Balona are flying north to Catalonia to take on C.E. Sabadell in the first away game of the new Primera RFEF season.

Sabadell were relegated last season from La Liga Smartbank, despite winning their last two fixtures, by just one point.

The drop in division has caused a massive overhaul of the playing squad during the summer as manager Antonio Hidalgo prepared for life back in the third tier.

Loanee Juan Ibiza now plays for Ibiza. Scottish/Spanish goalkeeper Ian/Juan Mackay departed for Deportivo de La Coruña.

Former Balona player Stoichkov is now back in La Liga Smartbank with Eibar. The San Roque native was Sabadell’s top scorer last season.

Aleix Coch has been retained and is the club captain going into his fifth season at the club. The club also kept faith with manager Hidalgo.

C.E. Sabadell have set aside 150 tickets for fans of Balona but for those not travelling you can come along to Peña Balona on Calle Clavel to enjoy all the action.

Clearly the return of the fans had a great impact on the Balona players last weekend and Sabadell are expecting around 4,000 of their fans to attend the game on Saturday evening. Having watched their marketing video for renewal of season tickets it’s clear to see they are a passionate following, something La Recia will need to overcome.

Manager Hidalgo stated in his pre-match press conference that his players are ready to give everything for the fans in the stands.

Sabadell got their season off and running against Sevilla Atlético last weekend and drew 0-0. The clean sheet will have pleased new goalkeeper Kike Royo on his debut.

At the other end of the field debutants Moha Ezzarfani and Jacobo González, who dropped down from La Liga Smartbank sides Mirandes and Tenerife respectively, will have been disappointed not to get on the scoresheet.

Sabadell added more firepower this week with the capture of Kaxe from Ponferradina. Make no mistake, this is a side with intentions of getting promoted back to the second tier at the first attempt.

However, Balona have gotten off to a great start and proved to themselves, as much as everyone else, that they can compete at this level with factory over La Fabrica.

Óscar Rubio, at right back, has a wealth of experience but at 37 years old could Balona use the quick counter attack to get in behind each time he moves forward with the ball?

During last week’s game Sabadell featured no fewer than 10 debutants either as starters or substitutes. Whilst Balona have several new faces in the ranks too they appear to have gelled quickly. Is there an opportunity to prey on the fact that Sabadell have so many players without a lot of playing time together?

Iván Martín played excellently in the first half against Castilla and is a loss up front. His injury provides an opportunity for Gerard Oliva to grab the goals and the glory in Catalonia this time out.

Due to Iván’s injury, the club signed Leandro Martínez this week. His versatility over the years has seen him play left, right or centrally so will boost the options across the front and even in midfield too.

Aly Coulibaly and Alhassan Koroma featured in many experts’ team of the week in Matchday 1. The form of both players is going to be pivotal for La Recia this season. They are players with the ability to change games and will be buzzing with their starts to the season.

Williams and Saygbe are on international duty with Liberia so won’t be making the trip north. Fito Miranda, Jauregui and Andres complete the list of absentees from the squad.

It was clear from the moment the fixture list was published that Balona were facing a tough start with Real Madrid Castilla followed by the newly relegated Sabadell. Come Saturday night could it be two wins from two for Romerito’s side?

Coulibaly and Balona pass the test against the graduates from La Fabrica

Real Balompédica Linense 2-1 Real Madrid Castilla

Date: Sunday 29^th August 17:30

Competition: Primera RFEF Grupo II

Venue: Estadio Municipal

Author: Les McKee

Balona secured a debut victory in their first game in Primera RFEF, coming back from an early blow of conceding to defeat Real Madrid Castilla 2-1, in a warm and windy Estadio Municipal.

Their fans quite literally queued for what seemed like a mile to get in for this first competitive game under the stewardship of Antonio Ruiz. In the opposition dugout was Real Madrid legend Raúl.

As the referee blew the whistle to get the season underway there were many including myself who were still outside.

Watching the game in Bar Balona whilst keeping an eye on the depleting queue to enter the stadium and it was not the start La Recia would have hoped for.

Juanmi Latasa peeled off the back of Fran Morante exploiting the gap between the centre back and Loren to head home the whipped cross from Sergio Santos. Nacho Miras was rooted to the spot as the big striker headed down into the corner from close range.

In the few moments between this goal and the equaliser I’d made it into the stadium and had just taken my seat before I was on my feet applauding a goal for the albinegros.

The wind was swirling and a free kick put into the box by Ñito González was helped on by Jesús Muñoz and it looped up over Luis López, who was in no man’s land, to nestle in the goal.

The bumper crowd erupted to greet the goal and from this point onwards Balona grew in strength and self-belief having started looking a little in awe of their great rivals.

Soon after Luis López was diving at the feet of Koroma to block a second goal. Castilla were struggling to cope and La Recia were throwing everything at them.

The pressure continued to be cranked up and then another mistake from Castilla. Álvaro Carrillo nodded the ball back towards his keeper and it was massively short. Iván Martín was onto it in a flash and lifted it past the on-rushing Luis López. Mario Gila saved the blushes of both Carillo and López by hooking the ball clear right on the line.

The crowd roared sensing the young side from Madrid were struggling to deal with the heat, the pitch, the wind, the Balona players or a perfect storm of all four.

Aly Coulibaly gave Balona the lead sweeping home Dorrio’s ball across goal from close range. The Frenchman had burst into the box at pace. Antonio Blanco was ball watching as Coulibaly strode into the box and by the time Blanco had seen him and reacted it was too late. Blanco had been on the bench the night before for the first team at Real Betis but was being dominated in midfield by Coulibaly. Another performance for Coulibaly that stood out. They became more and more regular as last season progressed and the intensity with which he plays the game fits perfectly with what Romerito has been demanding.

Just before the drinks break Balona had the ball in the net once again. Iván Martín seeing the linesman come to Real’s rescue with his flag. The Madrid side made their way to their bench for the cooling break like a boxer on wobbly legs having taken a lot of heavy shots from the superior Balona.

As dominant as they were in the first half, we did see a more equal second half as Castilla pushed for an equalizer and this became a test of Balona’s game management. When possession was retrieved the blanquinegros broke fast and had numerous chances to add to their lead.

Iván Martín was replaced by Gerard Oliva for the second half and when Oliva found himself free at the back post on the receiving end of a cross from Koroma instead of heading down like Latasa did so successfully in the first half Oliva’s headed high and Luis López was equal to it.

Sergio Arribas looked lively from Castilla and on a few occasions was subjected to a bit of rough treatment as Balona looked to nullify Castilla’s best attacking threat.

The same was true for Koroma with one mazy run that was ended abruptly by Pablo Ramon who earned a yellow card for his trouble. The Castilla defenders were cutting frustrated figures whilst the defence of Balona looked calm and steadfast.

Koroma and Oliva broke clear together and as Koroma saw his effort saved by the goalie Oliva punched the air with frustration. Had Koroma laid the ball to his right Oliva had a tap in.

Castilla did manage to pick up a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions as the clock ticked down but could not fashion an equalizer that quite frankly, they would not have deserved.

Raúl was full of praise for Balona in his post-match press conference and was quick to recognise what a fantastic crowd had come out on the day. We will hope this level of attendance continues regardless of the opponent because this game was proof that with a vocal support La Recia will step up and perform to their best.

As fans of both teams awaited their opportunity to say bye to Castilla and Raúl a few of the Balona stars of the day Koroma and Loren greeted fans in Bar Balona. An impromptu rendition of Cumpleaños feliz for Loren who celebrated his birthday this week. The three points the greatest gift he could have wished for.

Next up for Balona is a trip to Estadi de la Nova Creu Alta to face CE Sabadell. They opened their campaign with a 0-0 draw at Sevilla Atlético.