Second Division A - Day 15

Numancia moved to the top of the second division pending Málaga's game on Sunday after beating Tenerife 0-2. Jaio gave them the lead in the first half in one of their few attacks, turning the ball in from close up after the defence failed to clear Julio Alvarez's corner. The locals didn't cause too many problems until the second half, when Santos and Juanma went close and Nino hit the bar. But Rafa Jordà picked up a pass from Palacios to beat Juan Pablo for a second time with twenty minutes to go, a strike which took them just above Málaga on goal difference.

Sporting Gijón drop to third though after they were beaten 1-0 by Granada 74, the Andalusians' third win in a row. Local striker Aranda had spent Thursday night in the police station being questioned about a money laundering operation, but he shook that off to beat Iván Hernández to Luque's free kick and open the scoring ten minutes before the break. The Asturians could have equalised after the restart, Jorge and Kikie Mateo wasting good chances, and even though Karanka was sent off for elbowing an opponent with ten minutes to go, Mateo almost saved a point when he hit the bar in injury time.

Meanwhile fourth placed Sevilla Atlético were held to a dull 0-0 draw by a Real Sociedad side who have yet to impress. Chris Coleman's team hardly managed a shot at goal throughout the ninety minutes, and it was left to Riesgo to keep the scores level at the break with saves from Salva Sevilla, Jonathan, Juanjo and even his own defender Mikel González! Castillo cleared off the line from Salva when the keeper was beaten in the second half, and the Basque side held on despite having substitute Díaz de Cerio sent off just five minutes after making his appearance.

Hércules moved up to fifth after a 3-0 win over Gimnàstic, who are now four points behind the Alicante based side. Sergio Fernández opened the scoring on the quarter hour mark after Blas Pérez played on an Edu Albacar corner, but local keeper Unai Alba had to be at his best to stop efforts from Antonio López, David Sánchez and Abel Buades before the break. Becham crossed in for Sendoa to head a second goal ten minutes after the restart though, and the forward got his second of the night three minutes from the end after Roberto could only block a shot from Cámara. (01.12.07)


Málaga moved back to the top of the table despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Celta on Sunday lunchtime. Weligton almost put through his own net midway through the first half, and the Galicians had a Diego Costa goal disallowed at the start of the second half for a non existent offside. A few minutes later Canobbio beat Goitia with a long free kick, but only two minutes later Calleja equalised after picking up a cross from Paulo Jorge. With the game coming to and visiting substitute Machev almost won it after intercepting a bad back pass, but the local keeper saved the day to take his side a point above Numancia. (02.12.07)


Celta are in seventh spot, just below Elche who drew 1-1 at Córdoba later in the evening. A Samuel header from a twelfth minute corner put David Vidal's side ahead. Caballero had to be at his best to save a couple of times from Javi Moreno either side of half time, and Valle did well to keep out two efforts from Iago after the restart. However with twelve minutes to go Asen picked up a pass from Javi Moreno to level the scores and save a point for the Andalusians.

Meanwhile Eibar moved up into the top half of the table after beating Poli Ejido 1-0. The Basque side were on top throughout the first half, with Codina testing Alvaro Iglesias and Markel Robles heading a free kick against the post. Two minutes after the restart Codina got what was to prove the only goal on a quick breakaway, but local keeper Cuéllar was put under pressure after that, and the locals had to hold on after Markel was sent off near the end.

Down at the bottom, Albacete moved to within four points of safety after a 0-1 win at Salamanca. David Rodríguez missed a couple of chances to put the home side ahead in the first half. But local keeper Alberto had to leave the field injured, and his replacement Pagola could do nothing to stop Baggio from taking advantage of slack defending to open the scoring on the stroke of half time. Pagola's opposite number Jonathan put in a sterling performance after that to give the Manchegans their first win in five games and hand their opponents their first defeat in eight.

Albacete have moved level with Xerez and three points clear of Las Palmas, who picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at Castellón. Mora put Pepe Moré's side ahead in the eighth minute after the visiting defence failed to clear a corner, and Nacho González pulled out a couple of excellent saves to prevent Oberman and Tabares from extending the lead. Nauzet Aleman equalised though in the twentieth minute with a shot from the edge of the area into the top corner of the net, and after a dull second half the local fans protested to the directors' box, their side having gone five matches now without a win.

Xerez drew 0-0 at Alavés, who themselves are still only two points above the relegation spots. Vicente Moreno had a goal disallowed for offside close to half time, but otherwise all the chances fell to the home side. Mena fired a shot against the woodwork on the stroke of half time, and ex Alavés keeper Porato produced a string of saves from Raúl Sánchez, Bayón, Wellington and others after the break to ensure a valuable point for the Andalusians.

Cádiz climbed away from the danger zone though after a 3-1 win over a Racing Ferrol side who are in free fall after an excellent start to the season. Cristian put the Andalusians in front with a long shot in the fifth minute, and Enrique headed a second from Nano's cross midway through the second half. Jaime Junior got one back a few minutes later past the advancing Contreras, but Dani wrapped things up with a third goal on a rapid counter-attack before Charpenet got himself sent off for a second booking near the end. (02.12.07)