Victories for top three as Segunda promotion race hots up: Liga Adelante Round-Up and Highlights

By Staff Writer
Updated: 17 May, 2012

ÁLEX CAPARRÓS – FCB

There were victories for the top three sides in Spain’s Segunda División on Wednesday as the race for automatic promotion heads into a thrilling climax with just four games to play.

Valladolid scored two late goals to move back level on points with second-placed Celta after Miroslav Dukic’s side came from behind to beat Barcelona B 2-1 at the the mini estadi. The visitors knew a win was vital after Celta had put a three-point gap between the teams with their victory earlier in the day, and they began the game in a determined manner.

Javi Guerra went close in the first half but was was unable to beat an impressive Oier in the Barça goal. Despite controlling the game for long periods, Valladolid fell behind when Carlos Carmona stroked past Jaime eight minutes into the second half; the youngster firing home after a inch-perfect lay-off from Rodri. The visitors pushed hard for a way back into the game but were kept at bay by some stoic defending from Eusebio Sacristan’s team. Valladolid finally drew level with 10 minutes remaining however as Óscar beat the advancing Oier, and Dukic’s side then grabbed a dramatic winner when Bueno finished spectacularly from a corner five minutes from time.

Deportivo maintained their seven point gap at the top of the table after a comfortable 3-1 victory over Las Palmas at the Riazor. Juan Dominguez put the hosts ahead after just seven minutes after some good work by Bruno Gama on the edge of the penalty area, and when Lassad doubled the advantage just thrre minutes later, the game looked over. Las Palmas were given a way back into the match ten minutes before the break however, as former Real Madrid player Javi Portillo turned in the area to beat a stranded German Lux in the Depor goal.

The game remained at 2-1 until the 72nd minute when Ivan Riki latched onto a Juan Dominguez pass to rifle home and finally secure the points for José Luis Oltra’s side.

Celta kept the pressure on Depor after completing a 3-0 victory at Guadalajara on Tuesda; in a match that was played over two days due to flood light failure. The Galicians took the lead with less then 10 minutes on the clock after Toni finished well from the edge of the penalty area. Celta increased their lead soon after the break through Iago Aspas and when the the player got his second 10 minutes later, the game was finished as a contest. Moments after the goal however, their was an electrical failure at the Pedro Escartín and referee Gil Manzano was forced to abandon the game; playing the final 30 minutes on Wednesday morning without further scoring.

Almería saw their play-offs hopes suffer a major setback after the Andalucians fell to a 2-1 defeat to struggling Sabadell at the Nova Creu Alta. Aarón Bueno put the Catalans ahead in the 19th minute before Baha made it two just minutes later. Leonardo Ulloa pulled one back from the spot with 25 minutes left but it was too little, too late for Almería who now sit six points from sixth-placed Córdoba.

In the Catalan derby, a second-half strike from Juanlu earned Girona a share of the spoils against bottom side, Nástic in Tarragona. The home side broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Mairata headed home at the far post, but they were unable to hold the lead and could now face relegation if they do not win at Murcia on Sunday. Girona meanwhile, are five points above the drop zone and are unbeaten in six games.

Alcorcón are on the verge of securing their spot in the promotion play-offs after beating Elche 3-1 at Santo Domingo. Quini took his goal tally for the season to 13 after a first half brace put the hosts firmly in control. Edu Albacar pulled one back for the visitors from the peanlty spot just before the break but Alcorcón secured the victory just past the hour mark when Quini completed a memorable hat-trick.

Córdoba strengthned their play-off credentials after a late Javi Patiño goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Recreativo in Huelva. The Andaluz side now sit just one point behind fifth-placed Hércules who fell to a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to a rampant Numancia. There was no indication of the goal-fest to come when the teams went in at the break goal less, however Díaz de Cerio soon broke the deadlock when he put the visitors ahead two minutes after the restart. A brace from Bedoya then won the game for Numancia before Michel scored a consolation penalty for the Hércules.

Eleswhere, Villarreal B overcame the disappointment of their recent automatic demotion to the Segunda B by thumping Huesca 4-2, Alcoyano remain firmly routed in the bottom three after a 3-1 home loss to Murcia and third-bottom Cartagena were held to a 0-0 draw by Xerez at el Almarjal.

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GUADALAJARA 0-3 CELTA VIGO

DEPORTIVO 3-1 LAS PALMAS

SABADELL 2-1 ALMERIA

GIMNASTIC 1-1 GIRONA