The Promotion Play-offs in Segunda
B reached the semi-final stage this past weekend, as eight clubs vied for the
remaining two places up for grabs in La Segunda. Cádiz and Atlético Baleares,
who had both lost out in the Campeones Play-offs, joined the six teams that had
won through the opening phase that featured the clubs that had finished second,
third and fourth in their respective divisions.
The first tie of the weekend saw
Lucena take on Ponferradina on Saturday evening, and it was the visitors who
made the early running, when Yuri tapped in a cross shot in the 32nd
minute. Ten minutes later, Lucena centre-back Curro Vacas scored with a far
post header after Ponferradina’s keeper Quintana failed to collect a corner
kick. And it was Vacas who scored again for Lucena on 74 minutes, hooking home
from six yards after Ponferadina failed to clear another corner.
Lugo will be delighted with their
first leg performance following their Sunday lunchtime match with Atlético
Baleares. The Galician’s took the lead in the 17th minute thanks to
Quero’s stunning 35 yard strike. Three minutes later, the goal scoring hero from
the previous round Belencoso, ran through the porous Atlético defence and
drilled home a second. Lugo’s Beforti made it 3-0 on 54 minutes, scoring from
close range following a flick-on from a corner. Atlético salvaged some hope
when Dani headed in at the far post with a few minutes remaining.
Tenerife travelled to La Linea de
la Concepción to do battle with Real Balompédica in an ill-tempered affair,
played in the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar. Tenerife came away the more
satisfied, thanks to an own-goal from Linense keeper Pagola. The home keeper inadvertently
turned in Kiké Lopez’s shot, after the Tenerife forward had rounded him
following a run on goal. In the second half, Tenerife manager Medina and
Linense’s Bello were shown red cards by referee Fernández, who was kept busy all
game, cautioning a further 8 players.
Albacete and Cádiz played out the
final game of the weekend. It was a tight affair of few chances, the best of
which fell to Cádiz forward Ikechi, but his shot when through on goal, was weak
and found the side netting. The sides meet again next Sunday at the Estadio
Ramón de Carranza, with Cádiz favourites to progress to final.
This being the Play-offs in
Spain, one has to expect a certain quirkiness, hence the Campeón Segunda B de
Final, which sees the two teams already promoted to La Segunda, do battle to
find an overall champion. So last Friday night, Real Madrid Castilla and CD
Mirandés met in the first leg at the Estadio Alfedo Di Stéfano, to find out
which team is essentially the least tired! Castilla came up trumps winning 3-0
with two goals from Joselu and another from Jesé. Mirandés, who missed a
penalty in the first half, have it all to do in the second leg. Or they may not
bother, and just play out the final 90 minutes, whilst reflecting on the club’s
most successful season.
Labels: End of Season Play-offs