Match Reports

In a meaningless last game of the season, Malaga travelled over 700 kms by bus to Castellon, a seaside resort north of Valencia.
Muniz took the opportunity to "rest" their star midfielder Hidalgo whose goals in the latter part of the season almost single-handedly kept Malaga from relegation. Hidalgo has four yellow cards and a fifth would have meant him missing the start of the next season in which Malaga are determined to push for promotion from the off on August 29th. Muniz also did not take players who are likely to be leaving the club at the end of the month - most players are registered until 30 June - so there was no place for regulars like Silva and Counago.
With Chengue Morales and Ivan Rosado both injured, Malaga were effectively without any known strikers in the squad who made the journey and Edgar and Jonaton Valle were given the task up front. Other players were rested such as Calleja and Sandro, who were dropped to the bench.

Málaga (4-4-2): Goitia; Jesús Gámez, Armando, Kiko, Valcarce; Molinero; Gascón, Stosic, Ernesto; Jonatan Valle and Edgar.

The game was placed in front of 6500 home supporters and was also live on Spanish television, despite the fact that both clubs are secure for another season in La Segunda next year. In the first half, neither side dominated and most of the efforts at either end came from long range, including a scorcher from Jesus Gamez from 25 yards which local keeper Oliva saved brilliantly.
The game was settled early in the second half, when, in the 47th minute, JONATON VALLE broke through the Castellón defence to beat the offside trap and get on the end of a pass from Jesus Gamez to poke the ball past Oliva from 6 yards. It was Jonaton Valle's first goal of the season but the little attacking midfielder has worked hard during this season, playing in a number of positions for Muniz. He seems to have matured this year, having recovered from the falling down sickness which he was suffering from in the early part of the season, and has provided some telling passes in the last few games he has played in.

Full-time Castellón 0 Málaga 1

So a final away victory for Malaga to wrap up a season that was not what was anticipated last August, when Malaga were one of the hottest favourites for promotion back to La Liga for many years. Instead they have battled against bankruptcy, a change of manager a quarter of the way through the season and struggled against the spectre of a second successive relegation for most of the season. But the 2006-2007 season is over and already Muniz has made three signings for the next campaign, with Apono, a defensive midfielder and strikers Baha and Peragon signing this week.

The season tickets go on sale next week for this eagerly awaited new season, when it is hoped that Malaga CF, representing the sixth biggest city in Spain, can once again make the moves to return where they rightfully belong - back in the top division.
Never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.