Second Division B - play-offs, day 4

The three remaining play-off spots were decided on Sunday, with Llagostera and L’Hospitalet joining regional neighbours Nàstic in the finals. The fourth Catalan team Lleida will not be with them though after they were beaten 1-0 by Leganés. Although sides from the same regional group should in theory be kept apart, the fact that three from group III have qualified means that Nàstic (who finished fourth in their league will face champions Llagostera in one of the finals, with the first leg in Tarragona, and L’Hospitalet will meet Leganés in the other final. As both finished second in their leagues, a draw will be made on Monday to see which team plays the first leg at home.

Llagostera came in to their second leg against Real Avilés trailing by two goals, but with a quarter of an hour gone Enric Pi got on the end of Pitu’s corner to head one back, and five minutes later Chamorro levelled the tie, beating David after his first shot came back off the bar. Local keeper Moragón had to be at his best to prevent the visitors from scoring a vital away goal, with saves in particular from Omar Sampedro, but some ten minutes in to the second half Pitu won it for the locals with a shot from the half-way line which caught David out of position.

L’Hospitalet made it through on the away goal rule after drawing 0-0 at home to La Hoya, the two they scored in the 2-2 draw in Lorca last weekend enough for them to qualify. Provencio did hit the post for the Barcelona based side in the first half, but in the end it was their keeper Craviotto who saved the day with a string of saves to keep the “Brócoli Mecánico” from scoring. Leganés meanwhile got their revenge for being knocked out of the play-offs by Lleida last season, Mantovani scoring the only goal of the tie in the third minute of extra time after neither side had been able to score in the 180 minutes of football.

Elsewhere Albacete were proclaimed second division B champions after they beat Racing Santander 3-2. Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, it looked as if the Cantabrians were going to take the honorary title when Ayina scored twice either side of half time. However Calle got one back on the hour mark, and the visitors were left with nine men when Juanpe and Koné were both sent off. That let in the locals, and Indiano and Jorge Díaz both found the net in the last five minutes to turn the scoreline around. (08.06.14)

Nàstic are the first side to make it in to the play-off finals after they came from behind to beat Sestao 1-2 on Saturday evening. Having topped their regional group, the Basque team were strong favourites, especially after the 1-1 draw in Tarragona the week before. Shortly before half time Jito charged down an attempted clearance by Xisco Campos and ran on to beat Reina at the second attempt. However David Rocha levelled it with a shot from outside of the area midway through the second half, and Querol put the game beyond Sestao’s reach with a second away goal a few minutes later. (07.06.14)