Second Division - Day 38
Five games early on Saturday evening, with Zaragoza moving up to second after a 0-3 win at Alicante. Gabi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before the break after Ander Herrera was brought down, and Ewerthon added two in as many minutes midway through the second half to move above Tenerife pending their game on Sunday. Real Sociedad are virtually out of the running for promotion, but they are not giving up the fight just yet. Agirretxe got the only goal shortly before half time in a 0-1 victory over Salamanca which takes them within six points of the top three.
The other three matches involved teams who are fighting for survival, and Córdoba moved away from the danger zone with a 3-1 win over Levante. Katxorro's early lead was cancelled out by a goal from Tena, but strikes from Asen and Gaspar either side of half time assured the three points for the Andalusians. They move ahead of Celta, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Murcia. Early goals by Dinei and Ghilas appeared to have set the Galicians on the road to victory, but Nuñez got one back with ten minutes to go and De Coz headed the equaliser in injury time. Las Palmas are also not safe after a 1-0 defeat at Albacete, Merino's goal in the third minute enough to take the Manchegans three points above their opponents. (23.05.09)
Leaders Xerez suffered a set-back on Sunday lunchtime, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Gimnàstic ending a run of seven wins in a row. Víctor scored twice for the Tarragona based side either side of half time, the first a header from Jordi Alba's cross and the second a penalty after Aythami fouled José Marí, and although Mario Bermejo got one back a few minutes later after Michel set him up, it was not enough to change the result. Later in the evening Tenerife returned to second spot after a comfortable 3-0 win over Alavés. Second division "Pichichi" Nino set up Alfaro to open the scoring in the twentieth minute, and then got the second himself after picking up Richi's pass midway through the second half. And Marc Bertrán made it three five minutes later to leave the Basque side five points adrift of safety.
The top three have opened up a three point gap over Hércules after the Alicante based side were held to a 0-0 draw at Huesca. Expósito headed against the bar, but otherwise the visitors were unable to break down a well-ordered defence. Fifth placed Rayo Vallecano also lost ground on the leaders, and they are now three points behind Hércules after a 1-2 home defeat against Elche. The Madrid based side took the lead early in the second half when a long clearance from keeper Cobeño bounced over the head of his opposite number Jaime and in to the net. But two goals in the last five minutes from Miguel and Oscar Rubio turned the scoreline around.
Any hope Castellón had of going up ended when they were beaten 1-2 by Girona. Mantecón gave the home side the lead midway through the first half, but ex Barça and Spain veteran Gerard came on to score twice in as many minutes after the restart to take his team away from the danger zone. That made life even more difficult for Eibar, who are within a point of being relegated after they could only draw 2-2 with bottom club Sevilla Atlético. Gallardo turned Nacho Insa's effort in to his own net to give the Basque team the lead, but Armenteros scored twice late on before alaña saved a point with a last minute penalty. (24.05.09)
