League Play-Off

Almenar
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Gentza Navarro took the kick off in the first half of the match. 5 minutes into the match, Santillana SAD's goal looked a bit too open when Facundo Sarro came free, but Ranolfo Gil reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 6th match minute, Santillana SAD was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alejo Verdu to maneuver through the defense. In the 12th minute, Urtzi Bartumeu left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Almenar fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. In the 18th minute, Gentza Navarro hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 22 minutes into the match, Facundo Sarro dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Ranolfo Gil, 2-0. In the 28th minute of the match Marin Griful sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Guillermo Rico skillfully saved the ball. After 30 minutes of play, Santillana SAD's Gentza Navarro made it 2-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Guillermo Rico was left in no man's land by his defense there! The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Eskuin Odín during the 33rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a defensive mix-up in Almenar's zone, Arnaldo Benítez stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Guillermo Rico came out of the goal and Arnaldo Benítez tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Guillermo Rico made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gentza Navarro in the 40th minute of play. Santillana SAD's attack was well implemented in the 42nd minute, but when Gentza Navarro was about to shoot he didn't get a good hit on the ball and it hit the crossbar and flew over. Goal Kick. Arnaldo Benítez recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 46th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal.

The wind increased when Facundo Sarro made the kick off in the second half. With a little luck, Almenar's Guillermo Rico got control of the ball when Arnaldo Benítez tried to sneak it across the goal line. The supporters of Santillana SAD booed when Almenar was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 53 match minutes in a wonderful position. Eskuin Odín didn't get a good kick on the ball. Xabier Castaño's late challenge caught a Almenar's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Xabier Castaño helped the player get up and apologised. In the 54th match minute, Santillana SAD was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Xabier Castaño to maneuver through the defense. Marin Griful hit a great freekick 58 minutes into the match. Celino Azofra charged in rather forcefully in the 65th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Celino Azofra the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Almenar's Celino Azofra got a free kick in the 65th minute. The audience thought a goal was coming when Gentza Navarro got free with Guillermo Rico in the 67th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Facundo Sarro fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 69th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ranolfo Gil having to interfere. After 73 played minutes Santillana SAD got a freekick which was hit by Fresco Vives. 75 minutes into the match, Facundo Sarro had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ranolfo Gil. Santillana SAD's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Facundo Sarro was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-1. In the 81st minute, one of Almenar:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Almenar. Guillermo Rico went to the wrong direction when Lluciano Cabanela was taking care of the penalty kick which however missed the goal. Urtzi Bartumeu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 85th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Almenar's Guillermo Rico proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 89th minute of the match, managed to save Almenar from getting a goal against them. If Facundo Sarro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Almenar's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.