Eibar see off Mariño in all-Gipuzkoan Matchday 1 clash
A second-half Ainhoa Alonso strike sealed victory for the Armeras
Eibar claimed a narrow win over Mariño in the Gipuzkoan derby courtesy of an Ainhoa Alonso goal at the start of the second half. In this, the sides' opening fixture of their Women's Second Division campaigns, both teams served up what could be described as a typical early-season affair in which it was clear that further fine-tuning is required for the players to be at their best.
The Armeras came out all guns blazing in the stifling heat in Unbe and carved out several chances in the opening exchanges, the clearest of which fell to Ainhoa Alonso, but the Mariño goalkeeper parried her effort behind for a corner.
Eibar then conceded possession to hand the visitors their most gilt-edged chance of the game, but Iratxe came out on top in the one-on-one.
A few minutes later, Mar had a similar opportunity to have opened the scoring for Eibar, but the Mariño custodian was equal to the effort. Shortly after, Mar was again in the thick of the action and on this occasion she was denied after her shot come back off the crossbar.
On the stroke of half-time, the hosts came mighty close to making the breakthrough, as Esti linked up with Mar and Irati Uriarte, before unleashing a shot which hit the angle of crossbar and post.
Mariño created some danger on the counter after Eibar relinquished possession, but never real did enough to unduly concern the hosts.
Eibar came out a different side after the break and produced a much-improved display. With the second period barely underway, Sara saw her free-kick crash off the crossbar and Alonso very nearly caught the visitors' 'keeper out with a cross-shot.
With 51 minutes on the clock, Alonso latched on to a long through ball from Olatz before firing home to put Eibar into the ascendancy.
The Armeras continued to dictate proceedings and had the chances to have built on their lead. As the clock ticked down, the hosts comfortably saw out the game, as they dominated possession, but tiredness and the hot conditions saw them fail to increase their advantage. In injury time, the hosts almost threw the game away after they lost possession, but the subsequent shot from the visiting player failed to trouble Iratxe in the Eibar goal.
SD Eibar: Iratxe; Naiara, Olatz, Alaitz, Esti, Larrus (Oihane, 70'), Melani (Maitane, 35'), Alonso, Sara, Irati (Usoa, 62') and Mar (Haizea Lomba, 67').
Mariño KE: Laura G; Arantxa, Udane, Lide, Ane, Lara, Erkuden, Laura (Marina, 58'), Uxue, Gorbea and Aneto (Andrea, 82').
Goal: 1-0: 51', Ainhoa Alonso.