A survival battle looks likely for the Alicante-based side, who were marooned on four points after 13 games coming into this contest - the second-worst tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign for any side in the three-points-per-win era. To the backdrop of cheers from the hapless home faithful, who knew the importance of tonight’s result against their newly-promoted visitors, Elche almost opened the scoring here within five minutes as Álex Collado saw his driven effort hit the woodwork.
Édgar Badía made a personal top-flight high nine saves against Real Valladolid last time out, and he was forced into another stop to deny Oriol Romeu’s headed effort from 12 yards out. In a frenetic half, the momentum would then swing back to the hosts as Pol Lirola finished a sweeping Elche move with a side-footed effort into the bottom left corner. The lead never looked secure though and Elche’s celebrations were cut short before HT, when Iván Martín nodded home after being found in obscene amounts of space inside the area.
The visitors returned after the break in a menacing mood and if not for their profligacy would have taken the lead within the first few minutes of the half. Sergio Mantecón, who played the role of temporary manager this evening, could only watch on helplessly as his Elche side were pinned into their own half and he was forced into the introduction of Ezequiel Ponce and Gerard Gumbau in order to reignite his side.
After another Girona wave, the inevitable arrived through Valentín Castellanos’ composed 10-yard finish which gave Badía little hope. The blunt-looking hosts offered little in response and Romeu was denied again, this time by the bar, with Girona looking more likely to extend their lead than lose it upon FT. This is the first time Elche have lost on home turf to their visitors and any incoming manager has a massive task on their hands if they are to steer the ship.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Iván Martín (Girona)
