Hello! Welcome to episode number 3 of this series with Barakaldo.

In this one, we will be covering from matchday 14 to 21.

Game 14

Villarreal 1-Barakaldo 3

A good display of form in the first half as we’re 2-0 up and we could have been even 3-0 if not for a disallowed goal to Gurria. In the second half, Cuesta made an attempt for the home team to bring the game back, but in a manner of minutes we deflate them with a vicious shot from the left side by Zamarripa.

Just before the match against Numancia

Game 15

Barakaldo 3 – Numancia 2

Lineup changes:

Luis Garmendia for Dani Barroso
Pedro Matxon as a sub

Despite being close to the bottom of the league, Numancia was a hard challenge and they gave us a good run for our money. The start couldn’t have been worse, as a mistake by Dadie is put to good use by Santi Castillejo. Kike Alonso further enhanced our defensive problems by adding a second goal by minute 13. Our first shot on Numancia’s goal was Txiki Begiristain’s, who managed to put it past the net. As Carlos Docando got sent off, we started to create more chances and Zamarripa brought the game to a draw by the end of the first half. After battling it on in the second half, a cross from Uribarrena met Begiristain’s header, and the roar was felt in Lassesarre.

Game 16

Osasuna 0 – Barakaldo 2

Lineup changes:

Pedro Arozarena for Antonio Pizo Gomez
Xabier Pantzeska for Agustin Exposito
Asier Ipiña for Txiki Begiristain
Domingo Larrainzar for Luis Dadie

I anticipated a tough game from our basque neighbours, and it was. The first 15 minutes they were all over our goal and Iru repeatedly denied their efforts. A little bit after halftime, we showed some progress and our first goal came through. Then the wind changed, and we started pressing Osasuna’s area until Xabier netted a second after a pass from Bakero. They didn’t throw the towel though and had a few more chances to bring the game back. Again Iru with a wonderful job kept our clean sheet and we took a hard fought win from El Sadar.

Game 17

Barakaldo 0 – Levante 1

It’s a reasonably quiet first half and we look to be the better side with 4/7 shots on target, but Levante catch us by surprise against the run of play to lead 1-0 at half time. In the second half we added a few more shots but even so we can’t get the equaliser and we pick up a defeat on Lassesarre.

Game 18

Lleida 2 – Barakaldo 3

It’s Lleida away next, and it’s a bitter fight to the end to claim victory. Gurria was injured before half-time and we sub in Uribarrena. Bakero gets us ahead and they levelled through Dimitriadis. In the second half, same situation. We go ahead thanks to Uribarrena and they bring the game back to level. As the minutes tick by, I started talking at my laptop “Goal for Barakaldo. C’mon”. Finally, two minutes from the end, I get a yellow and black tilt on the screen. Zamarripa scored, and we get the 3 points.

Let’s see how much Gurria will be out.

Ouch! Fingers crossed so none of my other strikers get injured in this period

Game 19

Leganes 1 – Barakaldo 5

Somewhat a shaky start to this match, Leganes was knocking at our door the first 10 minutes. In the 11^th, Xabier Pantzeska scored. We added a second one courtesy of Uribarrena in the 30^th minute, and Leganes immediately went defensive and their attack circuitry just collapsed. I subbed in Calle for Zamarripa in the second half and he added one to put us 3-0 up. The visitors pull one back, but Bakero and again Uribarrena deny Leganes catching a breather and they were forced to retreat until the clock run out of minutes. Terrific display of football

We arrived to January 1998, and up until the start of February the transfer market will be opened so I’ll be on the lookout for any interesting players thay may become available in this period

Game 20

Barakaldo 0 – Elche 2

Lineup changes:

Gorka Sangroniz for Aitor Iru

We find ourselves clobbered pretty rapidly as Claudio strikes with just 5 minutes on the clock. Despite our best efforts to overturn the result, Elche’s goalkeeper had a very good game and partnered with their defenders they prevented us from scoring. In our best attacking moment in the match, we had a mishap at our own goal, which resulted in a penalty. Barros scored and put the lid on the game.

More injuries… shake my head

Game 21

Alaves 0 – Barakaldo 3

A calm paced first half in which we had 3 chances and we were able to convert one thanks to Zamarripa. The second half saw way more action as Alaves started to come closer. Nevertheless, we managed to put the nail on the coffin as they found themselves with 10 men due to Mestrovic being sent off. From then on, we smelled the blood and we found the pathway to attack. Xabier and Bakero scored and Alaves was stopped on their tracks.

Before wrapping up this episode, let’s take a look at the standings as of now:

We’re there in the promotion scrap. Time will tell if can accomplish it in our first try

Now yes, we reached the end of this episode.

Tune in next week for a new episode. See ya 🙂