Luis Enrique Martínez’s team were unable to build on last week’s 3-0 win over Cartagena, as they were defeated 2-1 in Elche in a game that was marked by the referee López Astilleros, who sent off Ilie for Barça B and Ripa and Linares for Elche.

Barça B went ahead on 32 minutes when Víctor Vázquez scored the opener, but just 3 minutes later Linares got the equaliser and a defensive mistake on 70 minutes let in Angel for the winner and sent Barça B home pointless.

Strong start from Elche

The home team began strongly and before the first minute was out, they had hit the woodwork with a Linares header. Although Barça struggled in the early stages and the midfield found it hard to get their passing game into play, they soon began to create danger themselves. Nolito on two occasions, first with a shot the keeper stopped and the other fired into the side netting, and Benja, who failed in a one on one with the keeper, both had chances to put the visitors ahead.

Vázquez puts Barça ahead

On the half hour, Víctor Vázquez put Barça B one up with his first goal of the campaign, rounding off a good move between Thiago, Benja and Nolito. Curiously enough, Victor had already scored this season – but with the first team, against Rubin Kazan in the Champions League.

Elche hit back

The lead didn’t last for long though, as just three minutes later Linares equalised for Elche. There were chances for both sides before the break, with Generelo hitting the post for the hosts and Fontàs, Ilie and Nolito all tantalisingly close to connecting with a cross from the right.

Referee halts Barça progress

Benja nearly made it 1-2 at the start of the second half, but his shot was well saved by the Elche keeper. Five minutes later, the game took a decisive turn as the referee sent off Ilie after a harsh second yellow card and then to add insult to injury ruled a perfectly legitimate Nolito break offside just as he was through on goal.

Mix up

A terrible mix up in defence on 70 minutes, after Miño was unable to clear a Fontas back pass, gave Elche the lead as Ángel pounced on the mistake.

Two more reds

The referee again took centre stage on 85 minutes when he showed Ripa another harsh second yellow for time wasting, though the straight red that Linares received soon after was totally deserved after the Elche player clattered into Montoya’s knee on a 50/50 ball.

Ten points above the drop

The defeat leaves Barça B ninth with 35 points, just 10 above the drop zone. Luis Enrique’s team are at Numancia next Saturday for their second away game on the run. The Soria team lost 1-0 to Cartagena this weekend.