Second Division B - play-offs, semi-finals, first leg

The first leg semi-finals of the second division B promotion play-offs took place this weekend, with sixteen teams battling it out for the four available spots. There was one match on Saturday in group D, Eibar getting off to a good start in their fight to return to the second division at the first attempt after drawing their first leg tie 0-0 at L'Hospitalet. Etxabe had the best chance for the visitors before the break, his shot bringing a good save out of Edu. Sanchón and Asier both tested Zigor at the other end after the restart, and Rebollo went close for the Basque side in between. (02.06.07)

A second half strike from Angel Sánchez gave Universidad Las Palmas a 1-0 win over Sevilla Atlético in their group A match. The Sevilla B side felt themselves unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when a defender handled in only the second minute, but after Fazio was sent off for a second bookable offence late on it was all over. Universidad are favourites to meet Burgos after the Castilla-León side drew 0-0 at Alcoyano. It was a hard fought match, the best chance for the locals falling to Fran Machado, who shot just wide in the first half, with the visitors replying when Samuel brought a good save out of Maestro later on.

Group B is all square, with the big match between Córdoba and Pontevedra (both relegated from 2A two seasons ago) ending without goals. The Andalusians were missing their injured top scorer Javi Moreno, and they were unable to score even though the Galicians played the last ten minutes with ten men after Igor was sent off. In the other group match Palencia and Huesca drew 1-1, Iván Carril heading the equaliser for the home side two minutes from the end after Camacho had put the visitors ahead midway through the second half.

Victories to nothing for the home sides in group C, Racing Ferrol on track to bounce back just a year after going down with a 2-0 win over Linares. The goalscorers were Gustavo on the quarter hour mark and a few minutes later Jonathan Carril (curiously the brother of Palencia's Iván, both on loan from Deportivo La Coruña). Elsewhere Real Unión beat Alicante 1-0 thanks to a last minute penalty from Huegun after Azkoitia brought down Endika. The visitors had held on for almost an hour with ten men after Germán was shown a red card.

Rayo Vallecano virtually ensured their place in the group D final after beating Portuense 0-2 in their first leg tie. Piti got the first on the stroke of half time after a bad clearance by the defence, and Llorens scored the second from the penalty spot after Salido was sent off for bringing down Michel midway through the second half.

In the relegation play-offs, ex first division side Extremadura are virtually down after losing their first leg match at Pájara Playas 3-0. Rafa Belda scored two in the first half and Adrián got the third for the Canary Islanders. The battle between the two reserve sides is wide open though after Valladolid B beat Valencia Mestalla 2-1. Goals in each half from Niche and Sergio García put the locals two up, but youth international Lombán got a vital away goal eight minutes from the end. (03.06.07)