The ninth day of the First Division took place yesterday with matches between the four highest ranked teams and the four lowest ranked teams in the standings, and the leading teams came out ahead as predicted.

Pidasa FC Santa Coloma were the only ones who fell to CE Principat (second to last with 5 points). Santa Coloma tied with Luis Blanco’s men despite Beto having two extra chances to score. Both the leader, Sant Julia Matecosa, and FC Lusitans La Posa (2nd) took advantage of the two point loss from one of their rivals and the two wins against FC Casa Benfica (6-0) and Inter Club Escaldes (5-1), who respectively top the qualifying table with a one point difference.

 Julio Ferreros’ men kept their lead another week with 23 points and Vincent Marquis’ men are second with 22. Pidasa, despite their surprise match of the day, are in third place with 20 points, and finally EU Escale Santa Coloma claimed a comfortable victory against FC Encamp with 6 - 1, and remain in 4th place with 18 points.

Matecosa beats FC Casa Benfica La Fira

Aware of their biggest rival’s defeat in the League, the Lauredians jumped onto the grass of Aixovall’s sports field (4pm) ready to finish as soon as possible their first match against the lowest ranked club of the First Division.

After 5 minutes, Gonçalves controlled the front after taking advantage of a pass from the left side and the ball entered the goal area with a cross shot from Bruno.

The match’s protagonist was Lauredian striker Marcelo Iguacel, who used his second hat-trick of the season. With the three goals from yesterday, his total is nine goals so far. Iguacel transformed the first quarter in the 21st minute by taking advantage of a pass from the right from Victor Hugo Moreira- who played for the first time after a seven month break for an injury – Bruno was unable to block it and Marcelo kicked the ball in to bring the final score to 2-0.

 FC Casa Benfica spent a lot of time running after the ball because it was the leader who was in control and marked the rhythm of the match, but in the 25th minute a move from Arroyo- ex-player from CE Principat – was not penalized even though Benfica asked for the maximum penalty. While Alves faced Arroyo and waited for his assist, defence Ruiz, off the clock, tackled him in the goal area, and the referee turned his head.

The same players responsible for the second goal went for their third in the 27th minute. Victor Hugo had also changed sides and with a pass to Marcelo they obtained their 3-0.

 The Lauredians went to work and scored their fourth goal a minute later with a strategic play. Gonçalves passed the ball to Edu from the corner who gave it to Varela who scored with a head shot. Before the break, Quim ran past Lourenço and Alves and planted himself in front of Bruno in a one on one and scored with a level cross shot.

 After halftime, the quality of play was not has good, and Julio Ferreros’ men had a difficult time staying focused. Nonetheless, Marcelo topped off his great performance in the 86th minute, when he seized a rebound and scored. Now the Lauredians must face three difficult days against three rivals for the leading position.

Lusitans and Escale also win

The match between Lusitans and Inter Escaldes took place in Alàs. Cardoso, Reis, with two goals, Pinto and Raya were the only players responsible for the match’s five goals and only Lopes was able to make the goal of honor in the 72nd minute:
In the match that closed the day, Escale was surprised by an early goal by Izquierdo in the first minute, but Sirvan, Guida with two goals, Boris, Rubio and 'top scorer' Victor Bernard reversed the scoreboard(6-1).

Photo: The big news from yesterday’s ninth day was the return of Victor Hugo Moreira, after a seven month break due to a knee injury.