Fuengirola Potros knock off Gijon Mariners for first win in Spain’s top league
The Fuengirola Potros kicked an early field goal and then scored late to down the Gijon Mariners 10-0 and earn a hard fought road victory as the Spanish League of American Football wound up its third round of play.
Potros kicker Manuel Fernández kicked a field goal to open the second quarter and then quarterback Henri Väänänen carried the ball in himself with less than two minutes to go to seal the win.
In between, the Fuengirola defense did the rest including holding off a late charge by the Mariners.
The Fuengirola Potros defense played an excellent game Photo: Felipe SM
This was the first win of the season for the Potros and it was important. With the victory, Fuengirola climbs out of the basement of the LNFA West division and stays in contention for a playoff spot. For Gijon though, it was a tough loss that dropped them into last in the division.
The Potros defense stood strong when needed with linebacker Eduardo Simon and his teammates causing problems for the Mariners. A late first half goal line stand by the defense thwarted a golden opportunity for the Mariners who had recovered a fumble in the Fuengirola red zone.
Potros LB Eduardo Simon chasing down the Mariners RB Photo: Felipe SM
In the third quarter, Gijon running backs Javier Castañón and Miguel Quince put the offense in position to score again but the Potros defense rose up. With both teams missing fourth quarter field goals, the game came down to Väänänen who evaded the Mariners defenders to score from the two yard line and put the game away.
The Mariners had one final chance to score as Martínez drove his team from their own 17 yard line down to the Fuengirola 12, but a last gasp pass was knocked down in the end zone on the final play of the game.
