Second Division B - play-offs, day 1

Reus are one step away from a first ever promotion to the second division A after they beat Racing Santander 0-3 in the first leg of their group champions play-off! Both teams had won their regional groups on the last day, edging past Villarreal B and Racing Ferrol respectively, although the Cantabrians were strong favourites thanks to their long experience in the higher echelons of Spanish football. However an 18,000 strong crowd saw their side go two down at the break, Vítor getting the first on a quick counter-attack and Dinis the second following a corner, and Haro rounded keeper Santiago to score a third for the Catalans early on in the second half. The other group champions tie is in the balance though after UCAM Murcia beat Real Madrid Castilla 2-1, and everything will be decided in the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium a week on Monday (the second leg has been postponed to that date due to the Champions League final and subsequent celebrations in the capital (whoever wins) next weekend). Febas put the youngsters ahead in the tenth minute after Borja Mayoral and Tejero combined to set him up, but Iván Aguilar equalized just five minutes later, and the forward fired his second of the evening past Carlos Abad at the start of the second half.

Only one goal though in the other three ties played on Sunday, Hércules taking the advantage into their second leg against Tudelano after a 0-1 away win. Javi Flores got the goal for the Alicante based side with a shot from the edge of the area some twelve minutes in to the second half, the first that Pagola had let in for fourteen games! Elsewhere Toledo and Real Murcia cancelled each out in a 0-0 draw, although the locals will be happy with the result as they had defender William (and their flamboyant coach Onésimo!) sent off before the break. A scoreless draw as well between UD Logroñés and Villarreal B, The locals had the better chances, and they could have won it had Paredes not hit the woodwork right at the end.

Two ties are also being played for the last two relegation spots between the four sides who finished fifth from bottom in their regional groups. Both first leg matches ended all square however, the game between Cacereño and Linares without goals, and Olimpic Xativa and Leioa drawing 1-1. Bonilla put the Basque side in front midway through the first half, but San Julián equalized for the locals on the stroke of half time. (24.05.15)

The play-offs for promotion to the second division A began this weekend, with 16 teams vying for the four promotion spots. As in previous years, two of the places are reserved for the 2B regional group champions, the four of whom meet in direct play-offs over two legs, with the first legs taking place tomorrow. The other 12 teams have been paired up according to the position they finished in their group, with those finishing second playing those finishing fourth, and two ties matching up the third placed sides. The six winners of those ties join the two losing group champions in the semi-finals, with the four survivors of that round playing off for the last two promotion spots.

Three of those first leg games took place on Saturday, the most attractive of which (on paper anyway) seeing Cádiz and Racing Ferrol draw 0-0. The Andalusians just missed out on promotion last season, and the Galicians were pipped for top spot of their group by Racing Santander on the last day. Ex Spanish international Dani Güiza came on for the locals in the second half and went close a couple of times, but otherwise chances were few and far between. A 1-1 draw as well between Sevilla Atlético (the Sevilla B team) and the curiously named Socuéllamos, who are from a town of the same denomination situated in the province of Ciudad Real. Carlos Fernández put the Andalusians ahead from the penalty spot on the half hour mark, but Javi Gómez equalized for the visitors just three minutes later. The reformed Lleida Esportiu were the only side to win on Saturday, a 1-0 victory over Barakaldo giving the Catalans the advantage over their opponents, who like Ferrol, were just beaten for the top spot of their group by Real Madrid Castilla on the last weekend. Colinas got the only goal for the home side with ten minutes to go to the break. (23.05.15)