News Archive

Match round-up - Second Division A, Day 38

Saturday may have been a day for lots of goals in the second division, but everything dried up on Sunday, with only three scored in the five matches. By far the most important though was Emaná's penalty for Betis against Real Sociedad, which gave them a 1-0 victory against the leaders. Earlier in the match a 50,000 crowd saw local keeper Goitia keep out Nsue and Zurutuza, and the visitors themselves had a couple of penalty claims turned down. But the one that counted was when Diego Rivas handled in the area with twenty minutes to go, and Real's challenge ended when they had Mikel González and Carlos Martínez sent off near the end.

Betis move to within four points of their opponents in the table, but they stay outside of the top three in a three-way tie for third place, behind Hércules on goal difference after the Alicante based side picked up a point in a dull 0-0 draw at Recreativo. If anything the visitors had the better chances, Sendoa going close in the first half and Kiko bringing a good save out of Goitia near the end. Villarreal B moved back to within a point of the promotion spots after a 1-0 victory over Gimnàstic, and although they are ineligible to go up, they are proving to be one of the revelation sides of the season. Natxo Insa headed the only goal midway through the second half from Jefferson Montero's cross, but the Catalans could have saved a point had veteran striker José Marí not missed two or three good chances.

Five points above the drop zone, Nàstic are still not safe, and they are now only a point above Rayo Vallecano after the Madrid based side could only draw 0-0 with Salamanca. It was not for the lack of trying though, Rubén Castro (twice), Piti and Susaeta for the locals and Salva Sevilla for the away team all hitting the woodwork during the match. Jorge D'Alessandro's side had Akinsola sent off for a second bookable offence with ten minutes to go, and they ended the weekend in twentieth spot after Cádiz beat Murcia 1-0 to move back out of the relegation places. The Andalusians started the day just a point above their opponents, but visiting midfielder Albiol was sent off with ten minutes to go, and Fleurquín headed the winner from Abraham's corner in the third minute of injury time. (23.05.10)

Goals galore in the second division on Saturday, and none more so than in the match between the third and second placed sides, where Cartagena were beaten 3-5 by Levante. Robusté got on the end of a Rubén Suárez free kick to put the visitors ahead in the fourth minute, but two goals in quick succession on the half hour mark by Mariano and Víctor turned the scoreline around. The locals were left with ten men though when Txiki picked up a second booking two minutes after the restart, and Levante rapidly took advantage to go back ahead with strikes from Rubén and Robusté. Javi Guerra added two more in a two minute period a few minutes later, and although Juanfran was also sent off and Toché netted a third for the home side, the game was already over. Levante move level with leaders Real Sociedad pending their game on Sunday, now four points clear of their opponents in the table.

Cartagena could be out of the top three by the end of the weekend though if Hércules or Betis can win, and they are now only a point ahead of Elche after the East coast side beat Girona 4-0. The woodwork and good goalkeeping by Jorquera kept the locals at bay in the first half, but two minutes after the restart top scorer Jorge Molina picked up a pass by Trejo to open the scoring. Generelo added a second soon afterwards, and Molina made it three from the penalty spot after he himself was fouled. And with the game in injury time Acciari scored a fourth to put his team back in the running for the promotion spots.

There were another seven goals at Irún, where Real Unión moved out of the relegation spots for the first time in several months after a 4-3 victory over Numancia. Things were not looking good for the Basque side when Asier and Dimas put the visitors two up at the break. But strikes by Gorka Brit and Abasolo levelled the scores early in the second half, and Brit got two more to complete his hat-trick before Goiria completed the scoring in injury time. A hat-trick as well for Stuani as Albacete beat Córdoba 3-0 to move clear of the drop zone. The Uruguayan striker headed in a Fernando Sales cross in the twentieth minute, and he scored two more in the first ten minutes of the second half to make it nine games without defeat for David Vidal's side.

With a month or so to go to the end of the season the relegation battle is still very tight, and only nine points separate ninth placed Recreativo from next to bottom Murcia (both play tomorrow). Celta are now level with Recre after a 1-0 victory over Las Palmas, who themselves are now only four points off the relegation spots. The game swung in favour of the Galicians in the twentieth minute when Pignol was sent off for giving away a penalty on Dani Abalo, Trashorras converting the spot kick. But the Canary Islanders could have saved a point had local keeper Falcón not saved a Miguel García penalty soon after the restart. Castellón look doomed though after they lost 1-2 to Huesca, and they are now ten points away from safety. All the goals came after the break, Moisés hitting the bar before putting the visitors ahead. Ulloa equalised with a header from a Diego Reyes free kick, but Sastre got the winner later on. (22.05.10)