Second Division - Day 41
Tenerife, Xerez and Zaragoza were all promoted on the next to last weekend of the season after winning their respective matches on Saturday evening. Tenerife only needed one point to be sure, but they stay top of the table after beating Girona 0-1. Kome scored the only goal of the game, running through to shoot past Rafa Ponzo shortly before half time. And the local keeper had to be at his best after that to prevent the Canary Islanders winning by a much bigger margin.
Xerez only needed a draw as well at home to Huesca, although they made hard work of it before finally winning 2-1. Moreno headed them in to the lead from Abel's corner on the hour mark, but José Vegar equalised three minutes later, and it was not until four minutes from the end that Carlos Calvo netted the winner. The Andalusians will be playing in the top flight next season for the first time in their history.
Zaragoza started the weekend a point behind the top two, and they ran out fairly comfortable 3-1 victors over Córdoba. Ewerthon put them ahead midway through the first half after Jorge López set him up, and Ewerthon and Pavón both hit the woodwork before Ponzio made it two before the break. Arizmendi scored a third soon after the restart, but Ewerthon was sent off for head-butting an opponent and Guzmán got one back for the visitors late on.
The only club who could catch any of the top three was Hércules, but they have to wait for another year at least despite a 4-1 win over Albacete. The visitors took an early lead when Mainz headed in a corner, but a Rubén Navarro strike and a Morán header turned the scoreline around by the break. Farinós made it three from the penalty spot in the second half after Trotta was sent off, and Fernando Sales rounded things off with a fourth near the end.
The fourth relegation spot was also decided this evening, with Alavés all but mathematically down after Las Palmas picked up the point they needed in a very dull 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano. Alavés themselves beat already relegated Alicante 1-0, with De Marcos scoring the goal in the second half, but to save themselves they need to score at least fifteen goals in their last match and hope the Canary Islanders lose!
Celta saved themselves last weekend with a last minute win over Alavés, and just to be sure they picked up another point in a 0-0 draw at bottom club Sevilla Atlético. And later in the evening Murcia beat Salamanca 2-1 to end an otherwise disappointing season with a home win, goals either side of half time by Kike and Movilla enough for the three points despite a late strike by Cohen.
The only issue remaining then is which two sides will be promoted to the second division A together with Cádiz and Cartagena. The first leg of the two finals take place this weekend, with Real Unión getting the edge after they drew 0-0 on Saturday at Alcorcón. The Basque side had the better of the match, although Albarran hit the post for the locals in the second half. Villarreal B and Jaén play tomorrow. (13.06.09)
Three games with nothing at stake were played out on Sunday evening, with Real Sociedad facing a third year in the second division after drawing 1-1 against Levante. Rubén Suárez put the visitors ahead before Abreu equalised on the half hour mark, but any hope of a come-back from the Basque side ended when keeper Zubikarai was sent off for a foul outside of the area shortly before half time. Rubén hit the post after the restart, but was sent off himself late on.
Castellón beat the already relegated Eibar 4-0 to round off a good season with a home win. Ulloa was the star of the match, opening the scoring and getting a second before half time after Arana had already added his name to the scoresheet. And the Argentinian striker aded a third from the penalty spot after Aarón was fouled midway through the second half. And Gimnàstic also won their last home game, beating Elche in their Nou Estadi. Víctor got the goals in the middle of the first and second halves.
In the second of the play-off finals, honours were once again shared in a 0-0 draw between Villarreal B and Real Jaén. The home side dominated the first half, youth international Jordi Pablo in particular going close, but in the second half Arriaga and Moyano both wasted chances to put the Andalusians ahead. Both finals will now be decided next weekend. (14.06.09)
