Hercules Faces Lengthy League and Frustrates Fans (1-2)

Hercules is finding the season long and arduous. Fatigue, injuries, and a lack of squad depth continue to weigh heavily on the team's performance and results. Four defeats in the last six matches, accumulating only four points out of a possible 18, have left Torrecilla's team out of the promotion race and have led to the first boos of the season at Rico Pérez.

This Sunday marked the fifteenth defeat of the season, a shocking figure that completely tarnishes what had been an exciting season for many weeks. Hercules now has more defeats than some teams almost doomed to relegation, such as Recreativo de Huelva, which has 13.

The Alicante team lost to Algeciras 1-2 in a match where they appeared sluggish, lacking fluidity, and at times seemed to regress to the level of the 2nd RFEF due to a lack of spark and intensity.

The Andalusians took the lead before halftime with a well-executed set-piece. Paris Adot arrived unmarked at the far post to easily score past the centenary Abad.

The crowd was angered by this defensive error because just minutes earlier, Algeciras, one of the best teams at set-pieces, had executed a similar play that went over the crossbar. No one in the Hercules defense corrected the oversight, and the second attempt resulted in a goal.

The second half followed the same pattern. Fans booed Mario García when he was substituted, and only Coscia, with his characteristic determination, added some excitement to the dull match. Another of his headers brought the score to 1-1 with twenty minutes remaining.

But just when it seemed Hercules was on the path to a comeback, reality struck. Algeciras, invigorated by substitutions, regained control of the game and created danger. Escudero, also with a header, sealed the final 1-2 scoreline.

Hercules was left with only the heroic efforts in the final minutes, even with Carlos Abad coming up to head the last set-pieces. But the team ended up losing.

The final image of the match at Rico Pérez reflects the reality: one team, Algeciras, celebrating survival, and on the other side, Hercules, desolate, bidding farewell to any promotion hopes.

Additionally, as if things weren't bad enough, left-back Retuerta had to be taken by ambulance to a hospital after experiencing dizziness following a head injury. According to Torrecilla after the match, the player is fine and out of danger.