Second Division B - play-offs, day 5

Mixed results for the two regional group champions in the first legs of their play-off finals, Huesca drawing 1-1 at Huracán Valencia, but Cádiz losing 2-0 at Athletic Bilbao B. Honours were shared in the first half of the match between Huracán and Huesca, Aridai and Mainz both going close, but the visitors took the lead in controversial circumstances some ten minutes into the second half when Tyronne turned the rebound back into the net after Paco saved from Mainz. Referee Ruipérez Marín at first ruled out the strike as Mainz was in an offside position when Tyronne struck, but with the game already restarted the referee surprisingly stopped play and awarded the goal. Local coach Toni Seligrat was sent to the stands for protesting, but his side at least saved a draw when team captain Amarilla headed in Rubio’s cross a few minutes later.

Cádiz though have been disappointing since winning their regional group by a big margin, and once again they left themselves with a lot to do after a 2-0 defeat against Bilbao Athletic in a packed San Mamés stadium. A record crowd of over 32,000 (including a thousand or so visiting fans) turned up to see the young lion cubs clock up an impressive victory which gives them a good chance of a return to the second division after an 18 year absence. Santamaría got both the goals in a five minute period in the middle of the first half, the opener after Aulestia saved from Lekue, and the second after the defence failed to clear a cross from the left. Santamaría and Salinas wasted chances after that to increase the lead, but local keeper Remiro had to save from Migue García late on to prevent the Andalusians from scoring a vital away goal. (20.06.15)