The battle intensifies as Segunda B play-offs resume

By Chris Clements
Updated: 4 June, 2012

ACFI PRESS

The Promotion Play-offs in Spain’s Segunda B reached the semi-final stage this 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 32^nd 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 17^th 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 eight 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.

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There will be another update after the next round of games but in the meantime you can catch up on all the clubs participating in the play-offs by visiting Estadios de Fútbol en España.

The battle intensifies as Segunda B play-offs resume

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