Third Division: The Rioja finalists throw the first coin

Few could have guessed at the beginning of the season that Oyonesa and Anguiano would become the regional finalists of the promotion phase to Second Federation. But surprises come and both teams have shown that daily work pays off. In this case, perseverance and discipline have prevailed over experience, by eliminating Alfaro and Varea, respectively. This afternoon, Alava and Serrano will face each other at the Oion Arena in the first contact of the last Group XVI tie, which will once again be resolved in a double round.

It is an unexpected ending. And that’s why it seems so exciting. Anguiano managed to sneak into the hegemonic positions before the end of the regular phase, while Oyonesa took advantage of Calahorra B’s subsidiary status to take their place in the ‘play off’. It started as the weakest, at least on paper, but the blue and white team has broken all bets by being the team that has left the best feeling in this promotion phase.

As sixth classified, they were drawn against the most feared rival of the season: Alfaro. The Alava club was not dwarfed by the important background of its opponent, achieving a 4-1 in its home game and signing a draw, 2-2, as a visitor. In this way, not only did they eliminate the enemy to beat from this ‘play off’, but they also achieved the ticket to the final with unbeatable sensations.

The Anguiano tie, for its part, was much more open as it achieved a 1-1 draw at Ángel Aguado against Varea in the first leg. The equality on the green was such that the pass had to be settled in extra time on Isla a week later. Urrecho became the protagonist of the afternoon when he tipped the balance on his team’s side in the 106th minute, catapulting them to a final whose return will be held again on their field. Something that favors them.

Although the calendar favors Anguiano more than Oyonesa, it is the Alava team that has had better results against the mountain team this season. And the fact is that the Alava team have recorded a total of victories against Héctor Urquía’s men this season by winning by the minimum in the first round (1-2) and by comfortably winning the second round (3-0). The Oion Arena will face them again this afternoon, at 6:00 p.m., on the opening day of the regional phase.