CF Benidorm were denied all three points by a controversial late penalty as they were held to a 1-1 draw away to CE Alberic on Saturday evening, although Sergio Mora’s side maintained their unbeaten start to the Lliga Comunitat FFCV season.
Substitute Hugo García looked to have secured another important victory for the visitors when he broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, only for Alberic to equalise from the penalty spot just three minutes later.
It was a frustrating conclusion for Mora’s side, who had travelled to the Campo Municipal Manolo Sanchis looking to build on their dramatic 4-2 comeback victory over Novelda Unión.
Benidorm made two changes to the starting XI that defeated Novelda, with Sergi Sempere replacing the suspended Bipeba Jorge and midfielder Arona Ndoye returning to the side.
Arona’s inclusion was particularly welcome, coming just 20 days after he was taken to hospital by ambulance following a head collision during the goalless draw with CD Almoradí on 4 October.
Mora made a change at half-time, introducing Daniel Adom in place of Ángel Cobo.
Adom was outstanding following his introduction, bringing energy and determination to Benidorm’s attack. His relentless running and willingness to chase down every ball caused repeated problems for the Alberic defence, with the substitute continually threatening the hosts throughout the second half.
Hugo García and Devarn Green were introduced in the 68th minute, with Aleix Llinares following in the 77th.
As the evening progressed and darkness fell, the poor floodlighting at the Campo Municipal Manolo Sanchis made it increasingly difficult for spectators to follow the action, particularly at the opposite end of the pitch.
It was García who made the breakthrough, finding the net in the 81st minute to put Benidorm ahead and seemingly on course for another away victory.
However, the lead lasted just three minutes. With visibility becoming increasingly difficult under the poor floodlights, the referee still managed to spot a penalty in the closing stages — a decision that looked far from clear-cut.
The incident appeared to be a 50-50 challenge that could easily have gone either way, but Juan Andrés converted the resulting spot-kick in the 84th minute to ensure the points were shared.
Despite the disappointment of conceding so late, Benidorm remain unbeaten after seven league matches, with five victories and two draws.
The result takes their points tally to 17 and keeps them at the top of the Lliga Comunitat FFCV Grup Sud standings, two points ahead of second-placed CDF Jávea.
CF Benidorm Starting XI
Arcana, Sergi, Denzel, Davi, Pato (c), Álvaro, Santos, Arona, Luis, Cobo, Cario.
Substitutes: Víctor Martínez, Hugo García, Marcos Guillén, Devarn Green, Ambach, Aleix Llinares, Daniel Adom.
Full-time: CE Alberic 1-1 CF Benidorm.
Goals: Hugo García (81′); Juan Andrés (84′, penalty).
