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Second Division - Day 2

Almería made it two wins in their opening two games after beating Xerez 2-1 on Friday evening. Both teams had won their first matches of the season, but the locals went ahead in the ninth minute when Charles got in front of a static defence to turn Verza's wide free kick in to the net. Midway through the first half José Vega equalised on a rapid counter attack, firing an angled shot past Esteban, but just three minutes later Charles latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the area to score his second of the night, and his third of the season. Xavi Gracia's side could have increased the lead after the break had Toni not kept out efforts from Charles, Ulloa and Jonathan, but only a good tackle from Mejía prevented Iñigo Vélez from saving a point for the Andalusians late on. (24.08.12)

Almería stay at the top of the table after none of the other teams who won last weekend were able to repeat the feat on Saturday. Seven sides are on four points however, including Villarreal, who were held to a 0-0 draw at Sabadell. Local keeper Nauzet was the hero of the night with a string of saves, particularly from Hernán Pérez and Cavenaghi, although the locals felt they should have had a penalty when Mellberg brought down Anibal late on. Sabadell fans have yet to see a goal scored as this was their second goal-less draw in a row, a far cry from those of neighbours Girona, who thrashed Guadalajara 1-5. The Madrid based side actually went ahead through Jony in the twentieth minute, but goals either side of half time by David García and Juanlu turned the scoreline around, and Benja, Jandro and Juanlu added three more in the second half to take their team up to second.

Numancia are currently in third spot after they drew 1-1 at Huesca, who themselves ended the day two places behind their opponents. The Aragón based side went in front when Tariq headed past Herrerín in only the second minute, and they had many more opportunities to add to the lead after that, However Natalio headed the equaliser midway through the first half, and the visiting back four lived up to their name with some numantine defending after that. Murcia are also on seven points after they won 2-3 at Sporting Gijón, who have yet to pick up a point since dropping from the first division last season. Bilic's early strike was soon cancelled out by an individualist goal from Nico Martínez. And although the visitors had Oscar Sánchez sent off for a foul on Bilic on the half hour mark, goals from Matilla and Kike García in the first five minutes of the second half gave the visitors the lead. Juan Muñiz did pull one back again with ten minutes to go, but the Asturians eventually ran out of ideas.

Las Palmas and Lugo join the chasing pack as well after their game ended 1-1. Visiting keeper Yoel was the busiest man on the park, but he was only beaten once by Vitolo a few minutes before the break. Two minutes later though Pablo Alvarez made it all square with a well struck free kick, and that was how it stayed. Lugo are now the best placed of all the newly promoted sides, although Ponferradina are just a point behind them after they beat Alcorcón 2-0. Both goals came in the last ten minutes, substitute Urko Vera latching on to a loose ball to open the scoring, and Acorán setting up Mayordomo on a quick breakaway in the fourth minute of injury time to wrap things up.

Real Madrid Castilla also moved on to three points after they beat Barcelona B in the first of the "mini-clásicos". It was the first meeting between the two B teams in fifteen years, but Castilla quickly took the initiative, Alex putting Juanfran through for the first goal in the tenth minute, and Denis Cheryshev adding the second midway through the first half. Local keeper Tomás Mejías put through his own net before the break, and after the restart Oscar Plano made it three before Sergi Roberto narrowed the gap again from the penalty spot. Mirandés are the only one of the new boys not to pick up a point, last season's cup heroes falling to a 1-0 defeat at Recreativo. The only goal came in the middle of the second half, Jesús Rubio setting up Jonathan Valle to beat Goitia with an angled shot. (25.08.12)

Elche join Almeria on maximum points after they won 1-2 at Hércules on Sunday evening. Corominas set up Xumetra and then Carles Gil to score for the visitors in a three minute period around the middle of the first half. Escassi combined with Braulio to get one back ten minutes after the restart, but keeper Manu Herrera prevented Braulio from levelling the scores later on. It was a second defeat for Hércules, who find themselves in the relegation zone together with Racing Santander, who lost 2-0 at Córdoba. The Cantabrians went behind on the quarter hour mark when López Silva lobbed Mario after a team passing move. And although Alberto was called upon to keep out efforts from Longás and Saizar amongst others, Ruyman headed a corner in to his own net with twenty minutes to go for the final result. (26.08.12)