Second Division - Day 10
Cartagena returned to the top of the second division after an impressive 4-1 win over Las Palmas on Saturday. Marcos Márquez gave the Canary Islanders the lead with just under half an hour gone, but De Lucas eqaulised with a well struck free kick soon afterwards. And Expósito, Toché and Víctor added three more in a seven minute period later in the second half to keep up the newly promoted side's unbeaten record. Third placed Rayo Vallecano were brought back to Earth though after their midweek cup victory against Athletic Bilbao, a 0-1 defeat against Elche probably leaving them outside of the promotion spots by the end of the weekend. Juli got the only goal for the visitors shortly before half time to take them clear of the danger zone.
Recreativo missed out on chance to move up in to the top three after they were beaten 0-1 by Gimnàstic earlier in the evening. José Marí headed past Guaita after Medina's shot came back off the bar on the quarter hour mark, and visiting keeper Rubén Pérez did the rest after that. Córdoba moved level with Recre and Nàstic after a late 2-1 win over Huesca. The Andalusians went ahead with a Pepe Díaz penalty after visiting keeper Miguel was sent off for bringing down the forward, but Camacho equalised before the break, and they only won it thanks to an Agus header from a wide free kick with five minutes to go. Betis are also on fifteen points, but their match with Villarreal B was postponed as over half of the squad have gone down with swine flu.
Bottom club Castellón showed then mean business under new coach Tintín Márquez after a high-scoring 4-1 win over Cádiz. Xisco Campos headed them in to the lead midway through the first half, but Caballero equalised before the interval. Fleurquín was sent off later in the second half though, and in the last five minutes Guzmán scored twice and Alvaro Silva put through his own net. Murcia sink further down in to the drop zone after a 3-2 defeat against fellow strugglers Albacete, and coach José Miguel Campos must surely now be on his way out. Salva's opener was overturned by strikes from Capdevila and Kike, but the home side recovered to win it with goals by Alberto and Stuani after the restart. Celta also drop back in to the relegation spots after a 2-0 defeat at Real Unión, Gorka Brit scoring a goal in each half to take the Basque side three points above their opponents . (31.10.09)
Hércules moved above Real Sociedad to second spot after thrashing the Basque side 5-1 on Sunday lunchtime. Tiago headed the first midway through the first half, and Tote and Cristian added two more after the break. Griezmann pulled one back, but strikes from Delibasic and Sendoa wrapped things up near the end. Levante are up to fourth after a 3-1 win over Numancia later in the evening. Iborra's first half goal was matched by Mario's equaliser ten minutes after the interval, but Javi Guerra and Juanlu made sure of the victory after that. Salamanca lose further ground on the leaders though after losing 0-1 to Girona. Moha got the only goal early in the second half to give a first win to new coach Narcís Juliá, a result which takes the Catalans out of the drop zone. (01.11.09)
Betis beat Villarreal B 4-0 in their rescheduled match to move up to fourth spot in the second division. Emanà opened the scoring on the stroke of half time, and second half goals from Melli, Sergio García and Emanà wrapped things up. (02.12.09)
