News
SUN 30.10.2016
RCD Espanyol 0-3 Rayo Vallecano
A second straight victory leaves Rayo breathing easier in mid-table, on seven points. After a dismal start to the campaign, the club from the outskirts of Madrid has put points on the board in each of its last three outings, a run that began with a draw against Santa Teresa CD.
On this occasion Rayo ran rampant against a struggling Espanyol side who were powerless to stop them. It took just four minutes for Cristina Auñon to break the deadlock at the Dani Jarque Training Ground, before an Elba Prats own goal doubled the scoreline inside the opening quarter of an hour.
It was 2-0 at the break and Espanyol had opportunities to reduce the deficit after the interval, but their finishing was off. In the end they were hit with a sucker punch as Amaia Mendioroz (Mendi) showed them how it's done with a venomous left-footed strike following a corner to settle the contest in the 87th minute.
Leaving aside the three precious points, the match took on extra significance for the visitors thanks to the introduction of 'new' signing Natalia Pablos in the first half. The legend, who has just rejoined Rayo after a spell in England, came close to capping her second debut for the club with a goal.
Sporting Huelva 0-1 FC Barcelona
A gripping spectacle in Huelva lived up to the pre-match expectations on Sunday morning as Sporting once again gave one of the top sides in the division a real run for their money. Indeed, the Catalans were made to sweat for the win in what was arguably their toughest encounter of the season so far.
It might have all been so different had Jenni Hermoso converted the eighth-minute penalty Barça were awarded when Barbara Latorre was felled right on the edge of the box. However, the usually reliable Hermoso could only clatter the post with her spot-kick, the clearest of the numerous openings at both ends in a goalless first half.
Several other chances went begging after the restart but, just when it looked like a breakthrough would prove elusive, Melanie Serrano snatched the spoils with a towering 83rd-minute header. That said, Xavi Llorens's charges were indebted to Sandra Paños for keeping their 100% record (and their streak of clean sheets in the league) intact, as she denied Huelva a late equaliser with a point-blank save.
Zaragoza CFF 0-0 Santa Teresa CD
It was honours even at the Estadio Pedro Sancho where, despite the lack of goals, there was a sight to delight all fans of Spanish women's football: the return to action of the visitors' Ainize Barea (Peke) after a long injury lay-off.
Neither side were able to take their chances and so both were ultimately forced to settle for a point apiece. As the away team, Santa Teresa will have been happier with the result and they remain comfortably in the Copa de la Reina places, while Zaragoza – for whom goalkeeper Maria Jose Pons (Mariajo) made her bow after signing from CE Sabadell – stay in the bottom half.
F.Albacete 1-1 Real Sociedad
There was another stalemate in Albacete, although at least the supporters who turned out at the Andres Iniesta Training Ground got to see the ball hit the net on a couple of occasions.
Both goals came in the space of three second-half minutes, as the two teams contrived to make amends for earlier misses one after the other. Carla Bautista put Albacete in front on 75', the striker heading home Alba Redondo's fine pass, but barely 180 seconds later Real Sociedad were level again courtesy of Naiara Beristain's effort.
The draw was enough to keep the hosts just outside the relegation zone, while the Basques continue to sit in mid-table.
Athletic Club 1-2 Atletico Madrid
Two of the league's big hitters renewed acquaintances in what was a thrilling contest at Sondika.
It didn't take long for Atletico to get their noses in front, as Ale Rosillo met a corner to put the Madrilenians ahead with the match just three minutes old. From that point on, the visitors totally dominated and they should have gone into the interval more than a goal up. Chances came and went for Sonia Bermudez, better known as Soni, and Priscila Borja, whilst debutant Marta Corredera squandered another gilt-edged opportunity.
The second period proved to be a far more even affair, both in terms of chances and possession, and just as Atleti took their foot off the gas, the Basques found an equaliser. Yulema Corres latched on to a ball over the top and drove into the area, before firing past Lola Gallardo to draw the hosts level.
Just six minutes later, the visitors regained the lead when captain Amanda Sampedro kept her nerve when clean through on Ainhoa Tirapu to secure maximum points and ensure that her side remain top of the pile.
Oiartzun KE 0-1 Valencia CF
Joyce Magalhaes was the Valencia hero as she struck the winner to hand Las Che three valuable points and keep the pressure on Atletico and Barcelona at the summit of the table.
Oiartzun defended valiantly throughout and managed to stifle the visitors' attacking threat for long stretches. However, with 15 minutes remaining Joyce struck to undo all of the Basques' hard work and secure victory for a Valencia side for whom Argentinian striker Estefania Banini – who has recently checked in from the States – made her debut.
Cristian Toro's charges once again evidenced all of their quality and their credentials as one of the strongest teams in the Liga Iberdrola here, while Oiartzun were ultimately left with nothing to show for their brave efforts.
UD Tacuense 1-1 Granadilla Egatesa
This fixture made Liga Iberdrola history as the first-ever clash between two Tenerife outfits in the Spanish top flight, and it certainly didn't disappoint as the two sides served up an entertaining encounter which ended all square.
The first half saw chances at both ends but neither team were able to make the breakthrough. The second half did however produce goals, with Tania Carballo breaking the deadlock to put Tacuense into the ascendancy on 55 minutes. Granadilla didn't hang around in searching for a route back into the game, initially seeing a Paloma Lazaro effort chalked off for offside, before Sara Tui, who had entered the fray just minutes earlier, restored parity on 64'.
Though there were no further goals, the action certainly served as an excellent advert for Tenerife football.
Real Betis 1-2 Levante UD
Those who took their places at the Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol were treated to a contest that literally had it all: bags of excitement, passion and no shortage of eye-catching football.
The Andalusians came out looking the more assured and soon got their noses in front, as Paula Moreno did what she does best to put her side into the driving seat. Betis looked in control and appeared to be on course for victory as they headed in at the break a goal to the good.
However, the second half proved to be a totally different affair. Levante displayed renewed impetus as Maria Jose Perez and Charlyn Corral led the charge in attack, with the duo proving just what a deadly pairing they really are. Firstly, the Canary Islander swept home a sumptuous free-kick that nestled in the top corner to level matters, before Charlyn added to her tally to complete the comeback. The Mexican striker brought the ball down brilliantly inside the area and then nonchalantly dispatched a shot into the left-hand corner of the net.
© LALIGA - 2016