After the player strike in spain that delayed the top two divisions for a week was called off, the first chance to see football in the Segunda again was in Catalunya on Friday evening, where last years play off final losers Elche were determined to get off to a good start against Girona.
Elche made the breakthrough after 10 minutes when a nicely flighted corner to the back post was put back across goal and met by defender Etxeita who tapped in from 5 yards. Girona were quickly hit by another goal from Elche in the 16th minute when right back Carpio put in a delicious left footed cross which was met by Angel who nodded into the far post and Elche held on to the 2-0 lead until half time despite Girona having 62% of possesion. Girona started the seconnd half well and were rewarded for their efforts after Rigo’s free kick bounced in front of goalie Juan Carlos and the keeper made a terrible error resulting in him palming into the roof of his own net. Elche, hoever, quickly regained there two goal lead as Pelegrin headed home from a Albácar free kick.
Girona will have to improve on defending from set pieces if they are going to achieve anything this season. Pelegrin’s goal really killed off any chance of a comeback as Girona never really looked like getting two goals against a very well organised Elche defence. In the 92nd minute Girona centre back Richi Alvarez was sent off for a second bookable offence after a elbow on Kike Mateo, Elche capitalised on the man advantage with the last kick of the game as sub Greg Beranger drilled home in the 95th minute into the bottom right corner from just inside the penalty area.
This match shows the difference with both sides, Elche with a big, strong squad allowing them to bring on players like Beranger who can make a difference at this level, Girona do not have this luxury and may struggle this season. Lots of positives for Pepe Bordalás men but Girona will have to improve there final ball as they were toothless at times, maybe due to the fact they lost key forwards in the summer.
Girona starting Line-up (4-4-1-1): Santamaría; José, Richy, Rigo, Migue; Dorca, Tébar, Juanlu, Jandro; Saizar; Benja.
Subs used: Moha 60min; Ion Velez 66min; Nieto 77min.
Elche starting Line-up (4-4-2): Juan Carlos; Carpio, Etxeita, Pelegrín, Albácar; Xumetra, Mantecón, Luque, Palanca; Ángel, Bille.
Subs used: Beranger 55min; Acciari 63min; Kike Mateo 83min.
Goal Scorers: Rigo 53mins;Etxeita 10mins, Angel 16mins, Pelegrin 57mins, Beranger 95mins.
My man of the match: Jordi Xumetra of Elche. Xumetra impressed throughout, running directly at Girona’s defence from his left wing spot, he also relived pressure off his defence by winning free kick’s (he won the free kick where there 3rd goal came from) and also worked very hard to help his left back.
Saturday’s matches
Barcelona B 0-2 Villarreal B
The battle between the two B sides in the Segunda saw Villarreal B shock last seasons overachievers Barcelona B. Airam opened the scoring on 34 minutes after Kike Lopez ran down the right wing and put a beautiful cross right on the head of Airam and the striker made no mistake. Airam was involved in Villareal B’s second goal as he crossed for Lucas Porcar to tap in at the back post in the 49th minute.
AD Alcorcon 0-1 Xerez
There was another surprise at the Santo Domingo Stadium as 10 men Xerez grabbed a 1-0 win away to Alcorcon, Juan Merino’s men were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute as Lomban was sent off, but the numerical disadvantage didn’t affect Xerez as Wily old striker Jose Mari won them all 3 points in the 87th minute.
CD Alcoyano 1-1 Numancia
Newly promoted Alcoyano kicked off there campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Numancia. It was a well fought and very even game throughout. Despite this Numancia went in a goal up at the break when Gorka Larrea gave them the lead in the 27th minute. Alcoyano didn’t allow this goal to affect them and they started the second half well, applying pressure on Numancia’s goal. They quickly got there rewards as Gato scored from the penalty spot in the 56th minute.
CE Sabadell 2-1 SD Huesca
An other one of the newly promoted Sabadell got off their season to a winning start as a brace from centre back Jesus Olmo gave them a 2-1 home win. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Sabadell as Juanjo Camacho gave the visitors the lea in the 54th minute, Olmo got an equaliser in the 68th minute. Huesca were reduced to 10 men with seven minutes left as Lluis Sastre was sent off. Sabadell capitalised on the numerical advantage as Olmo popped up again with a goal in the 87th minute.
Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 Recreatico Huelva
This years Heavyweights Deportivo got off to an unconvincing yet comfortable 1-0 home win versus Recreativo. Depor’s lack of goals from last season looks to have followed them down to the Segunda based on this performance, defender Diego Colotto with the only goal of the game after 11 minutes.
Guadalajara 1-1 Las Palmas
Newly Promoted Guadalajara opened with a draw at home against much fancied Las Palmas and will be disappointed with a draw after Las Palmas were reduced to 10 men after Francis Suarez was giving his marching orders in the 29th minute. Guadalajara opened the scoring after Las Palmas defender Ruyman put into his own net, but Las Palmas kept in the game and Talismanic figure Vitolo equalised.
Hercules 2-0 FC Cartagena
Recently relegated Hercules got there ambition to return to Spanish’s top tier off to a good start with a 2-0 home win against Cartagena. It could have been such a different game had Chamorro scored his penalty for Cartagena in the 21st minute but Juanmi Callejon punished the visitors for the miss in the 34th minute and Adrian secured the win eight minutes from time.
Cordoba CF 1-1 UD Almeria
The late game on Saturday involved the last of the three relegated teams as Almeria drew 1-1 away to Cordoba. Almeria opened the scoring after Leonardo Ulloa scored in the sixth minute. Cordoba level the scoring after the 51st minute through Charles.
Sunday’s matches
Real Murcia 1-3 Celta Vigo
The last of the promoted sides Murcia entertained Celta in the Sunday morning kick-off, Celta opened the scoring after David Rodriguez scored in the 30th minute. Murcia equalised a minute later through Kike, the game looked set to be 1-1 at half time when Amaya handled and De Lucas scored a penalty to leave it 2-1 to the visitors. De Lucas won the game midway through the second half as he scored an absolute wonderful goal leaving Murcia goalie Albero with no chance.
Gimnastic Tarragona 0-3 Real Valladolid
Promotion contenders Valladolid got there campaign off to a very good start as Alberto Bueno scored a brace in a comfortable 3-0 away win in Tarragona. Bueno netted either side of an Jorge Alonso to leave the Pucela 3-0 up at half time. A result that leaves Vallodolid joint top of the table on goal difference ( I know there is only one game gone but Valladolid fans won’t care) .
Despite it be an International football weekend, the Segunda will continues next weekend, with Deportivo vs Hercules the stand out fixture.
Next Week Fixtures
Saturday matches
CD Numancia vs Gimnàstic Tarragona
Deportivo La Coruña vs Hércules CF
Elche CF vs Real Murcia
FC Cartagena vs Barcelona B
Real Valladolid vs Córdoba CF
Recreativo Huelva vs Celta de Vigo
SD Huesca vs AD Alcorcón
UD Almería vs Girona FC
UD Las Palmas vs CD Alcoyano
Villarreal B vs CE Sabadell
Xerez CD vs Guadalajara
Sunday matches
AD Alcorcón vs Villarreal B
James will be doing a weekly column on all things Segunda and you can follow him on twitter
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