Second Division B - play-offs, day 2

UCAM Murcia will join Reus in the second division A after they beat Real Madrid Castilla 4-3 on aggregate in their group champions play-off. The match was scheduled for Monday night to allow for the Champions League winning celebrations of their first team on Sunday, and club president Florentino Pérez, Sergio Ramos and Lucas Vázquez were amongst the 5,000 or so supporters in the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium. The 2-1 scoreline from the first leg left the tie in the balance, but with just over a quarter of an hour gone Iván Aguilar (scorer of both goals a week ago) beat Carlos Abad again to give the visitors the lead. Mariano headed one back on the hour mark, but Aguilar set up Pallarés for the second soon afterwards, leaving Castilla needing three goals to turn things around. Mariano did score again with a well struck free kick to make it 2-2 on the night, but UCAM held on for a first ever promotion to the second division A, and the youngsters now have to try and get back up via the long route. (30.05.16)

For the first time in their 107 year history, Reus will be playing their football in the second division A next season! The Catalan side had already given Atlético Madrid a run for their money in the cup this year, and they beat Racing Santander 1-0 in the second leg of their group champions play-off on Sunday to round off their best ever campaign. The 0-3 result from the first leg had virtually assured them of promotion anyway, but with only seven minutes gone Vítor and Ángel Martínez combined for David Haro to add to the scoreline.

Racing are not out of it yet though, and they join seven other teams in the play-offs for the remaining two promotion spots. One of those will be the loser of the second of the group champions play-offs, which takes place tomorrow, and six come from the other games between teams finishing between second and fourth in their groups. Curiously though all the teams who finished second in their regional groups have been eliminated by those who finished fourth, Villarreal B knocked out by UD Logroñés on Saturday, and Racing Ferrol, Barakaldo and Real Murcia all beaten on Sunday. Racing Ferrol lost 1-2 to Cádiz, the Andalusians winning away from home after the first leg ended without goals. With only a quarter of the game gone they were already two up, Alvaro García opening the scoring after David Sánchez put him through, and Salvi beating Mackay for the second soon afterwards. Joselu got one back midway through the second half, but Víctor Vázquez was sent off a couple of minutes later, and the Galicians ended with nine men after Pablo Rey also picked up a second booking in injury time.

Barakaldo (like Ferrol and Villarreal B) were knocked off top spot of their group on the last day, and they will remain in the second division B for another season after losing 1-2 on aggregate to Lleida Esportiu. Visiting keeper Crespo saved a Cerrajería penalty after Oscar Rubio brought down Arroyo before the break, and after the restart Colinas got his second of the tie before Aythami made it 1-1 on the night with two minutes to go. By then though the Basque side were playing with ten men after Quintanilla was sent off. Real Murcia are also out of the fight, a 1-2 defeat against Toledo leaving them down and out despite a promising 0-0 result away from home a week ago. Mikel scored a vital away goal for the visitors though following a corner on the stroke of half time, and they could have gone further ahead had Fernando not saved a penalty after the restart. Isi gave Acciari’s side hope with the equalizer soon afterwards, but Adrián wrapped things up with Toledo’s second goal near the end.

The other two teams in to the semi-finals came from the ties between sides finishing third in their groups, Hércules making it through after beating Tudelano 1-0 for the second time in eight days. The visitors had the best defence in the category, but local striker Mainz had a goal disallowed and brought a couple of good saves out of Pagola early on, and Chechu got the only goal for the Alicante based side shortly before the break after his cousin Javi Flores was fouled in the area. Sevilla Atlético complete a strong line-up of teams who all have experience in the second division and beyond after they beat Socuéllamos 1-2. They too had drawn the first leg, but second half strikes from Curro and Carlos Fernández gave the youngsters an unassailable lead before Ocaña got one back from the penalty spot near the end. A good fight by the locals however, who were playing in the amateur divisions only three seasons ago.

The play-outs to avoid the last two relegation spots also took place on Sunday, with Linares and Leioa saving themselves, the Andalusians beating Extremadura’s Cacereño 2-1, and the Basque team winning 4-1 against Valencia’s Olimpic Xátiva. (29.05.16)

UD Logroñés are the first side in to the play-off semi-finals, a 1-1 draw in the second leg match knocking out hosts Villarreal B on the away goal rule. The first leg in Logroño had ended scoreless, but with only a quarter of an hour gone Iker Alegre gave the Rioja based side with a shot which deflected in off a defender. Rodri levelled the scores from an Alfonso assist midway through the first half, and the visitors had Adrián Cruz sent off for a second bookable offence just before the break, but the locals were unable to find a way past a well ordered defence after the restart. (28.05.16)