Yesterday’s final match of the First Division’s regular phase left a new leader, Matecosa UE Sant Julià.  Sant Julia benefited from FC Lusitans la Posa’s defeat against Pidasa FC Santa Coloma who showed to be superior and who not only took the lead from Vicenc Marquès’ team but put them in third place.

Santa Coloma, with a much more solid defence and above all a clear control over the pitch, finished the match with a score of  3-0, which classified them amongst  the highest ranking teams. The team, which was coached yesterday by Salva Estruch, is now in second place and only one point away from Sant Julià. There is now less distance between the highest ranking teams, with Matecosa UE Sant Julià with 34 points, Pidasa FC Santa Coloma with 33 points and Lusitans la Posa with 32 points.

Currently one week away from the play offs for the title, the Domestic League is hotter than ever; the two classic highest ranking teams are separated by one point-, Lusitans have lost their place as leaders, and Escale UE Santa Coloma, despite the fact that they are currently in fourth place with 27 points, will put on a very hard fight against the current leading teams.

 Pidasa had to win to stay in the League

Santa Coloma jumped onto the grass yesterday in Aixovall conscious that they were only three points away from the League title. The men, who were coached by Estruch and Fernandez (second), knew that Matecosa had beat FC Encamp in the midday match in Alàs (3-0). Their desire to win became clear on the pitch with their solid skills, attitude and their victory from the halfway line. In this way Manolo, Xinos, and Genís, with Chancha’s help, won the match against a fading Luis Pinto and Cardoso who did not know how to pick up Lusitans’ slack.

Vicenç Marquès’ squad were the first to put their rival net in danger. Meza with a long shot in the 3rd minute, which he lost over the crossbar and Reis lost another good opportunity in the 14th minute which skidded the right post of Ricky’s goal area, taking advantage of a precise center shot from Raya from the right side.

Santa Coloma’s attempts during the first half hour of play by Beto, Alejandro, Chancha and Oscar, were no match for Lusitans’ attentive defence and goalkeeper. After several dead ball plays, strategy smiled on Santa Coloma in the 40th minute of play. Maciel fouled Chancha in the left lane and Manolo, as always, caused the ball to rebound and Santa Coloma’s star player sent the ball to the Xinos’ second post.  They were overjoyed and Lusitans would not be able to make a come back from that point on.

Pidasa were mentally prepared for the second half.  In the 9th minute Samïr’s assist to Manolo which resulted in a standoff with goalkeeper, Gonzalo, was out of play very little time.  In the 56th minute, Beto sealed Santa Coloma’s fate with a valuable second goal. His brother Chancha initiated the play with an open pass from the side by Alejandro, who with the outer side of his shoe sent the ball to Beto, who shot the ball to Gonzalo. Lusitans’ goalkeeper was able to block it the first time but it rebounded to Beto, who was able to shoot it past an unprotected Gonzalo.

Juli’s entry in the 58th minute gave more control over the ball to Santa Coloma whose rivals were only able to hurt the other team via rebound shots, mostly by Dos Ries. Pidasa’s defence and goalkeeper Ricky did not falter. Juli scored the third goal with a shot from the center circle which entered between the left post and the goalkeeper.

Inter climbs the lower part of the rankings

Inter Club d’Escaldes were the protagonists with a 7-1 final score in the match against FC Casa Benfica, thus overcoming Principat and placing 5th in the ranking with 13 points.  Principat are one point behind and Casa Benfica have 5 points and FC Encamp have 4 points. Encamp jumped onto the grass in Alàs with only 10 points in their match against Matecosa UE Sant Julià. Despite their disadvantage, Richard Navarro’s boys did not take advantage of a good chance to advance the scoreboard when Quintela missed a penalty shot in the 19th minute. On Sant Julia’s side, both Arce and Trejo scored during their debut (24’ amd 79’), and the third goal was by Marcelo in the 72nd minute.

Photo: Celebrating Beto’s goal, which was a relief for Santa Coloma, in yesterday’s match in Aixovall against FC Lusitans.