Pidasa FC Santa Coloma took an important step yesterday in the fight for the title, beating Matecosa UE Sant Julià by only one goal (1-0), and breaking Sant Julia’s undefeated streak and taking their title as leader in the third match day of the play offs. 
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->Eleven days later, Santa Coloma – current champions – head the rankings again after winning the third Classic of the season to Sant Julià, who with eleven wins and five ties have lost their unbeatable streak of the current football season. Just three match days remaining, Pidasa have 40 points, two more than Matecosa and six more than FC Lusitans La Posa. Vicenç Marquès’ team fell behind after their loss to Escale UE Santa Coloma (2-1).

 Psychological goal by Xinos in the 44th minute

The match was the second competition that was refereed by a Catalan team of three referees – thanks to the accord between the FAF and the FCF – and both teams who competed for first place in the League yesterday were pleased. Matecosa UE Sant Julià and Pidasa FC Santa Coloma jumped onto the pitch in Aixovall with all their cards on the table, ready to take away the three points.

Santa Coloma won the match, and in the 45th minute they were clearly at an advantage to their rival, even though they did not dominate the match entirely. While Matecosa was given the clearest chance to score with a direct foul by Varela which the goalkeeper Ricky sent to the corner in the 24th minute. Pidasa had previously made the referees work in seeing a goal thwarted because Beto played offside.  A change of sides (position) by Samïr allowed Santa Coloma a few clear openings on the right side in the 40th minute. In the 44th minute Santa Coloma took advantage of set pieces, the result of a foul by Beto from the right lane. Manolo, in charge of the throw-in, sent the ball to Xino’s head, who then sent a cross shot deep into the net. The goal was like a pitcher of cold water in Sant Julia’s face right before the break.

 Matecosa search for a comeback without success

In the second half, Sant Julià were at more of an advantage with Ricky as goalkeeper. Nonetheless, Pidasa advanced their lead. In the 46th minute, Chancha rebound a center shot by Alejandro with his head, but Periantes blocked the shot, which was too centered. Alejandro also had his chance in the 55th minute. As a result of the pressure applied by defence player, Ruiz, ex-Sant Julià player stole his opportunity and despite standing in front of Perianes, he was not able to complete the shot with a scissor kick which ended up gliding by the right post. Quim responded for Sant Julià, putting goalkeeper Rikcy to the test with a rebound and cross shot which Santa Coloma’s goalkeeper blocked. Later Sebas Gómez tried again from the left lane with a pass backwards to Trejo who missed the goal by very little in the 78th minute.

Jacques had the best opportunity to bring the score to a tie in the 81th minute, Trejo in the right lane, assisted Jacques with a front shot which he sent to the long post. In the end Xinos scored the only goal, which meant that Santa Coloma took away the tree points and are now in first place in the rankings.

Escale beat Lusitans

Lluís Miquel Aloy’s men earned their first points in yesterday’s win. It was Meza who advanced the scoreboard for the team, coached by Vicenç Marquès, with a head shot after a centered shot by Raya in the 45th minute. Escale were in control during the second half who sent two balls to the post. In the 59th minute captain MartÍnez applied strategy in his fight against the goalkeeper, sending a head shot to the corner of the first post. Sirvan gained control of the ball from defence in the 73rd minute and ensured the team’s victory.

Encamp distance themselves in their lead in the relegation play offs

FC Encamp made an important step yesterday in their win 2-1 to Inter d’Escaldes and there is now a five points difference between FC Casa Benfica, the current team lined up for relegation, and themselves. Benfica lost 47-1 to CE Principat yesterday, despite advancing the scoreboard.