Head over heart

Photo: Diario Xerecista

Xerez CD are out of the Copa del Rey after losing 1-3 to Cádiz CF at Chapín. Jaime López put the blues ahead in the first minute and Abel Segovia's side held their own until half-time (1-1). In the second half, the cutting edge of the Cádiz side, two divisions higher, settled the derby with goals from García Pascual and Borja Vázquez.

The defeat did not spoil a night that Xerez fans will not forget for a long time. Chapín had a crowd reminiscent of the club's years in Primera and Segunda División, with almost 2,500 Cádiz supporters in the Fondo Norte. The stands pushed their team on until the end. Before kick-off a minute's silence was held in memory of those killed in the Toledo train crash.

A line-up with many changes

Segovia rotated, as he had announced. Marcos Alconchel started in goal instead of Pantoja, who had started every league game so far. In defence, Víctor López played at right-back in place of Guille Campos. Moi and Fali, both former Cádiz players, formed the centre-back pairing, and another ex-Cádiz man, Chacartegui, played at left-back.

In midfield, Raúl López, who also has a Cádiz past, partnered Isma, scorer of the winner against Marbella on Sunday. Óscar Lorenzo returned to the starting line-up on the right and Zequi started on the left. Jaime López played as an attacking midfielder and Rubén Mesa as centre-forward.

Borja Jiménez, who took charge of Cádiz this week after Albert Celades' departure, also made changes. He picked David Gil, Juan Díaz, Noah, Manu, Cristian, Damián, Doue, Moueffek, Borja Vázquez, Efe Jr. and Izeta.

Jaime López scores in the first minute

The match started at full speed. Borja Vázquez appealed for a penalty after going down in the Xerez box, and in the very next move Xerez struck. Rubén Mesa received the ball inside the area and back-heeled it to Jaime López, who beat David Gil. 1-0 in the first minute.

The goal gave Xerez wings, and they pressed high and dominated against an imprecise Cádiz. In the 9th minute, David Gil prevented a second with a great save from a Chacartegui effort. With the score at 1-0, Xerez also appealed for a possible penalty for a shirt-pull by Cristian on Rubén Mesa inside the Cádiz area.

After a quarter of an hour, Cádiz reacted. Borja Vázquez again claimed a penalty, this time for a challenge by Chacartegui (18'). Then Alconchel showed his reflexes in a one-on-one against Izeta.

Isma misses and Cristian equalises

In the 21st minute, Isma came close to making it 2-0: he received a good pass from Zequi and his shot went just wide. Three minutes later, Cádiz made no mistake. Cristian unleashed a left-footed strike from more than twenty metres that caught Alconchel by surprise. 1-1 in the 24th minute.

After the equaliser, Cádiz stepped up, although without taking control. The pace dropped towards the end of the first half, and Xerez went in at the break level after a first half-hour of a very high standard.

García Pascual scores straight away

Segovia made a change at half-time: Julito came on for Zequi and played out wide. Borja Jiménez brought on Zárate and Arribas for Moueffek and Manu. Julito made his presence felt early on, with a weak shot after exploiting a gap in the Cádiz defence (48').

In the 58th minute, Cádiz replaced Doue and Izeta with Ibon and García Pascual. The striker needed less than a minute to score: he latched on to a long pass from Noah, after one of the few defensive errors by Xerez, to make it 1-2 in the 59th minute. After the goal, the referee stopped the match because objects were thrown from the Fondo Sur curve.

Trailing, Segovia looked for answers. Mario Peregrina replaced Jaime López (60'). In the 70th minute, Josete, Isuskiza and Chuma came on for Fali, Isma and Rubén Mesa.

Borja Vázquez seals it

Óscar Lorenzo tried, as did Julito on the counter. Two corners in a row lifted the crowd, but the equaliser did not come. Cádiz scored instead: Jerez-born Borja Vázquez, one of their best players, got past Chacartegui and fired a left-footed shot inside the post. 1-3 in the 83rd minute.

In the closing stages, Cádiz had the best chances, and Alconchel again excelled in a one-on-one against Efe Jr. Xerez's last chance was a free kick from Óscar Lorenzo.

Xerez kept trying until the end, but Cádiz, fresher after their goals, managed the game with experience and took a win that gives them a morale boost. For Segovia's side it is time to turn the page: on Sunday they visit Tamaraceite in the league.

Match details

Xerez CD: Marcos Alconchel, Víctor López, Moi, Fali (Josete, 70'), Chacartegui, Raúl López, Isma (Isuskiza, 70'), Jaime López (Mario Peregrina, 60'), Óscar Lorenzo, Zequi (Julito, 46') and Rubén Mesa (Chuma, 70').

Cádiz CF: David Gil, Juan Díaz, Noah, Manu (Arribas, 46'), Cristian (Kovacevic, 66'), Damián, Doue (Ibon, 58'), Moueffek (Zárate, 46'), Borja Vázquez, Efe Jr. and Izeta (García Pascual, 58').

Goals: 1-0 (1') Jaime López. 1-1 (24') Cristian. 1-2 (59') García Pascual. 1-3 (83') Borja Vázquez.

Referee: José Antonio Sánchez Villalobos (Almería). He booked Jaime López and Chacartegui of Xerez CD, and Ibon, Damián and Borja Vázquez of Cádiz CF.

Notes: Copa del Rey first round, played at Chapín in front of a big crowd and almost 2,500 Cádiz supporters in the Fondo Norte. A minute's silence was held in memory of those killed in the Toledo train crash.