Second Division - Day 20

Four games in the second division on Friday, “Three Kings’ Day”, a public holiday in Spain. Getafe are up to second in the table pending the rest of the weekend fixtures after a 0-1 victory at Almería, the Madrid based side having taken 28 points in the 13 games since Pepe Bordalás took over some three months ago. Chances were few and far between though, the best a shot against the post from Jorge Molina, and an effort from Chuli which Alberto García kept out. However with a draw seemingly on the cards, Molina headed in a Dani Pacheco corner to leave the locals further down in the drop zone. Only two points separate nine teams below the top four however, Huesca hanging on to fifth spot after a soporific 0-0 draw at Numancia. Herrera had to keep out Manu del Moral early on, but otherwise neither keepers were particularly troubled, and in the end both coaches settled for a point.

Valladolid are now level with Huesca in sixth place after they beat Reus 1-0. The visitors could have scored early on had Folch’s shot not hit his own player, but Mata failed to convert a couple of chances, and with ten minutes to go substitute Raúl de Tomás headed in a wide Jordán free kick to take his side a point above the Catalans in the rankings. Further down the table Mallorca moved out of the relegation spots with a 2-0 win over Mirandés, who replace their hosts in the bottom four. Both goals came in the last ten minutes, Lekic heading in a Saúl cross, and Lago Junior running through to wrap things up in the last minute. (06.01.17)

Only two matches in the second division on Saturday, Levante extending their lead at the top of the table after a 1-0 victory over sixth placed Lugo. The Valencia based team dominated for most of the ninety minutes, Campaña, Pedro López and Morales failing to beat José Juan, and Roger hitting the woodwork before the break. The only goal though came from the penalty spot, Roger converting the kick after Seoane brought him down in the area with twenty minutes to go. Later in the evening Córdoba and Rayo Vallecano played out a 0-0 draw which left both sides in mid-table. The Andalusians had the better chances, but visiting keeper Gazzaniga made up for his mistake in the last match by producing good saves from Rodri, Juli and others to ensure a point for his team. (07.01.17)

Girona stay in second spot, still four points behind leaders Levante, after a 0-2 victory at Zaragoza on Sunday evening. Sandaza headed in a wide free kick to put the Catalans in front midway through the second half, and the locals had Cani sent off for a second bookable offence before Alcaraz got on the end of Longo’s centre to wrap things up in injury time. Cádiz are up to fourth after they beat Elche 2-3 thanks to a late strike from veteran forward Güiza. Pelayo had given the home side the lead early on, but Correa was sent off before Ortuño headed the equalizer on the half hour mark, and Güiza came on to give the Andalusians the lead with six minutes to go. Armando appeared to have saved a point for Alberto Toril’s side when he levelled the scores with another header some two minutes later, but Güiza got his second of the night to make it four wins in a row for his team.

Sevilla Atlético are up to fifth in the table after they won 5-3 against Oviedo, the result leaving the Asturians down in thirteenth place, albeit just two points below the play-off spots. An Ivi penalty, a Héctor Verdés own goal and a strike by Fede put the locals three up at the break, and although Toché got one back from the penalty spot with a quarter of an hour to go, Camona and Pozo added two more for the Andalusians before Toché and Linares scored for the visitors. Tenerife are now a point above Oviedo after they drew 1-1 at bottom club Nàstic, Cristo heading the opener for the Canary Islanders in the twelfth minute. José Carlos equalized for the Catalans after the restart, but new signing Manu Barreira was sent off soon afterwards, the referee showing him second yellow card for taking off his shin-pads! It was a frustrating start for new coach Juan Merino, and his side stay two points below UCAM Murcia, who picked up a point in a 0-0 draw at Alcorcón. The locals could be forgiven for having their minds on their upcoming cup tie with Córdoba, but they stay just a point clear of the drop zone after visiting keeper Biel Ribas made a string of fine saves. (08.01.17)