Second Division - Day 16

Nàstic move off the bottom of the table, at least pending the rest of the weekend games, after a 1-0 victory over Cádiz on Friday evening! The Catalans’ last three games had ended with similar scorelines, two in favour and one against, and this time a strike by substitute Uche midway through the second half was enough for the win. The result brings to an end the visitors’ run of seven games without defeat, and leaves them still in eighth spot, just outside of the play-off places. (25.11.16)

With the top three all playing on Sunday, Reus came in to their match at Zaragoza on Saturday knowing that a win would take them in to the direct promotion spots. However in the end they drew 2-2, and had to settle for fourth spot. The locals took the lead shortly before the break, Angel heading in to an empty net after a wild clearance from Edgar Badía was played back into the box by Lanzarote. Ramón Folch scored twice for the visitors though after the interval to turn the scoreline around, the first from Benito’s cross and the second after Crisantus laid the ball across the area. However with three minutes to go Dongou equalized after Barrera’s shot was blocked to save a point which keeps the Maños just outside of the play-off spots. Oviedo stay in fifth place after they were thrashed 5-1 by Alcorcón, the result taking the Madrid based side out of the bottom four. David Navarro opened the scoring for the locals after Pablo Pérez headed over a Bellvis centre, and Toribio and David Rodríguez added two more either side of half time, th first with a volley which went through the hands of Juan Carlos, and the second after picking up a pass from Pablo. Soon afterwards Rodríguez intercepted a poor headed back pass by Héctor Verdés to make it four, and although Jonathan Pereira got a late consolation after Nando’s shot was saved, Rodríguez set up Oscar Plano for the fifth near the end.

Tenerife are up in to the play-off positions though after they came from a goal down to beat Lugo 1-3, the win taking them above their hosts in the table. Joselu headed in Manu’s cross to give the Galicians an early lead, but three minutes later Suso made it all square from the penalty spot after Manu brought him down in the area. Midway through the second half Suso got his second after combining with Cristo, and Aarón Ñíguez completed the scoring from a Suso assist with twelve minutes to go. Valladolid lost ground on the teams above them though after they could only draw 0-0 against Almería. Casto had to save a couple of times from Mata, and Fidel tested Becerra at the other end, but both teams ran out of steam and the game ended ten a side after Mata and Diamanka were sent off for second bookable offences. Almería stay just outside of the relegation zone, level on points with UCAM Murcia and a point above Numancia after the university team beat the Soria based side 3-2. Pablo Valcarce twice headed the visitors into the lead, the first in the seventh minute and the second after Imaz had levelled it from the penalty spot soon after the restart. Visiting midfielder Marc Mateu was sent off though for threatening a linesman, and Collantes set up Fran Pérez and then Jona (who was also red-carded) to score twice in the last seven minutes. (26.11.16)

Levante’s game against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday evening was postponed after a heavy rainstorm left the pitch at the City of Valencia stadium in an unplayable state, and Sevilla Atlético and Girona took advantage to close the gap on the leaders to four points. Sevilla Atlético beat Mirandés 1-0, a result which cost the job of visiting coach Carlos Terrazas, who was fired with his club now down in bottom spot after nine games without a win. Guarrotxena did hit the woodwork as the away team had the better of the first 45 minutes, but with half time approaching Pozo got what was to prove the only goal on a quick counter-attack. Girona stay level with the Andalusians after they won 1-2 at Huesca, who began the game just two points behind the Catalans in the table. The locals went ahead in the fourth minute when Nagore connected with a short corner, but some ten minutes later Portu equalized after controlling a cross from Aday. With half an hour on the clock Borja García scored a second after Alcalá and Portu combined to set him up, and only a string of good saves by Sergio Herrera prevented the visitors from adding to the scoreline later on.

Getafe are also closing in on the top spots, and they are up to fifth after a 1-3 win at Córdoba, who also sacked coach José Luis Oltra soon after the game ended. Gorosito put the Madrid based side ahead after a Pacheco free kick came to him midway through the first half, and Jorge Molina added a second from Portillo’s cross with just under an hour on the clock. With ten minutes to go Facundo Castillón got the finishing touch to an effort from Molina, and when Pedro Ríos finally scored for the visitors the stands were virtually empty. Córdoba end the weekend just two points above the drop zone after a ninth game without a victory, level with three other teams including Mallorca, who lost 1-0 at Elche. Albacar fired a penalty kick against the bar on the hour mark after Raillo was given a second yellow card for a foul on Dorca, but some seven minutes later Guillermo beat Santamaría with a back-heel flick from Pedro’s cross. Lekic came close to an equalizer when he headed against the woodwork later on, but the Balearic islanders ended with nine men after Pleguezuelo was also given a second booking in the last minute. (27.11.16)

Levante extended their lead at the top to seven points after beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in a match which was postponed from three weeks ago due to a waterlogged pitch. Campaña headed the only goal following a corner midway through the first half to keep up his team’s unbeaten home record this season, also bringing to an end Rayo’s run of three wins in a row. (14.12.16)