Second Division - Day 42

The final weekend of the regular season, with several teams still vying for the last play-off spot, or trying to avoid relegation. One match was brought forward to Friday evening however, Rayo Vallecano winning 1-2 at Sevilla Atlético to end the current campaign level with the Andalusians in mid-table. Javi Guerra and Santo Comesaña put the visitors two up with strikes either side of half time, both following crosses from the left wing by Embarba and Moreno, and Marc Gual got a late consolation for the hosts with an angled shot past Mejías after Curro Sánchez set him up. (09.06.17)

A dramatic end to the regular season, UCAM Murcia the fourth team to go down after a 1-0 defeat at Nàstic on Saturday evening. Almería and Alcorcón were also in the running for the drop, but both won their games, the Andalusians beating Reus 1-0 thanks to a headed goal by Morcillo from Pozo’s centre with only fifteen minutes gone. Alcorcón meanwhile won 3-0 against Lugo, Alvaro González head in a corner on the quarter hour mark, and David Rodríguez and Toribio adding two more after the break, both with shots which went in off the post. That meant that the last relegation spot would be decided in Tarragona, the university side needing to win to stay up. Local keeper Reina saved a Jona penalty though after the forward was brought down by Xavi Molina with eighteen minutes to go, and with the game in injury time Manu Barreiro got the winner for the Catalans, the ex Alavés forward heading the rebound past Biel Ribas after the keeper had saved his first shot. It was a bitter blow for UCAM in their first ever season at this level, and they will be ruing their defeat last weekend at home to Alcorcón when a draw would have enough for them to stay up.

Huesca meanwhile will take the last of the play-off spots after they came back from behind to beat second division champions Levante 1-2. Morales intercepted a bad Akapo back pass at the start of the second half to put the locals ahead, but Aguilera headed in a David López corner to level the scores shortly after Rober was sent off, and Samu Saíz connected with a López pass to hand the Valencia based side their first home defeat of the season. Valladolid miss out though on head-to-head goal difference despite a late 1-0 victory over Cádiz, Juan Villar finally beating Jesús Fernández after the visiting keeper had made a string of saves, including a second half penalty from Raúl de Tomás after the striker was brought down in the area by Iván Malón. Oviedo’s 0-2 win at Elche was therefore in vain as well, the Asturians ending up two points off the top six. Both goals came after the interval, Toché heading in a cross from Nestor Susaeta, and Nando making it two after a quick passing move with Linares.

Cádiz’s defeat means they drop below Tenerife to fifth, the Canary Islanders beating Zaragoza 1-2 to get home advantage in their play-off semi-final with the Andalusians (and clasification in the event of a tie). Omar Perdomo opened the scoring for the visitors on the half hour mark with a shot from his own half which went in off the crossbar and keeper Saja, and Carlos Ruíz headed the second from a corner after the restart. The Maños hit the woodwork twice though after that, and Guti got one back late on after Isaac laid the ball back from right of the area. Huesca’s first opponents in the play-offs will be Getafe, who drew 3-3 at Mallorca to ensure third place. Scepovic’s early opener was overturned by a strike and a header from Brandon either side of the break, and although Scepovic levelled it again, the striker turned a long Moutinho free kick in to his own net before Emi Buendía combined with Lacen to equalize again near the end. Getafe end the day two points below the already promoted Girona, who lost 2-1 at Córdoba. Felipe Sanchón chipped Razak to give the Catalans the lead at the start of the second half, but Piovaccari converted a penalty for a foul by alex Granell on alfaro soon afterwards, and Carlos caballero connected with a Javi Galán cross to fire home the winner with a quarter of an hour to go. (10.06.17)

One match was left over to Sunday, bottom club Mirandés salvaging a bit of pride at least with a 0-2 victory at Numancia. Both goals came in the last five minutes or so, Maikel Mesa beating Saizar after Pedro Martín put him through, and Martín himself adding the second on a quick counter-attack, set up by Eguaras. (11.06.17)