The first leg semi-finals of the second division B promotion play-offs took place this weekend, with sixteen teams battling it out for the four available spots. Group A is undoubtedly the most difficult, with Salamanca and Pontevedra both fighting to return to the second division A just one season after going down. Salamanca won 2-3 away at Gramanet, the lead changing hands twice before Quique Martín got his second of the night to win the match. And Pontevedra also got off to a good start with a 0-2 victory at Sevilla B, brothers Igor and Yuri Da Souza helping themselves to a goal each.

Las Palmas are also hoping to get back to where they (at least used to) belong after edging Rayo Vallecano out of the play offs, and they started their group B fixtures with a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad B. Darino headed the only goal of the game in the first half, although tey should perhaps have done better as the visitors had a man sent off with only a quarter of an hour gone. In the other game in their group, Catanha's Linares beat Badalona 2-0 with second half goals from Cidoncha and Bordi.

Levante B provided the surprise of the round with a 0-1 win at Burgos, and if they do reach the final they will be hoping that their first team win promotion to enable them to have a chance of going up. Group C favourites though are Cartagena, and they came back from two down to draw 2-2 at Vecindario thanks to strikes in the last quarter of an hour from Molist and Sabino.

Controversy in group D, where the game between Ponferradina and Universidad Las Palmas was suspended for a quarter of an hour after a linesman was hit by objects thrown from the crowd. Two from Asier Salcedo helped the locals to a 3-2 win after the visitors had taken the lead. The day before Alicante had beaten Águilas 2-1, although they will be disappointed with the result after going two up before letting in a late away goal.

Four teams were also playing off to avoid relegation, with Baza finally taking part after the appeals by Almansa and Algeciras against Villanueva for fielding an inelgible player were turned down. The Andalusians could only draw 1-1 at home to Amurrio though, and have an uphill battle in the second leg. In the other semi-final, Huesca and Castillo played out a scoreless draw. (04.06.06)