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2-1: Big three points

RCD Espanyol Femení score vital victory over UDG Tenerife B Femenino

RCD Espanyol Femení earned an important 2-1 win for their play-off hopes against UDG Tenerife B Femenino on Saturday.  

With seven matches to go and six points off the play-offs, Carol Miranda’s side knew that a win would be huge for their promotion hopes. A positive start saw Espanyol in control and with confidence, looking for an early lead at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque.

Alba Mellado was busy and her cross almost went in, deflected onto the outside of the net. Though in command the pericas could not be complacent, proven when Ana Fernández’s header crashed off the crossbar for the visitors.

As UDG Tenerife hit the woodwork, so would Espanyol with their best chance of the half; Carol Marín took her time to take her shot, which eventually came off the base of the post as they went into the break goalless but with good feelings.

Ten minutes into the second half Espanyol got their just deserts at last. Adriana Martín crossed it into the path of Carol, who only had to make contact from the header to open the scoring and take the deserved lead for the hosts.

The visitors were not letting up easily, looking for a way back into it with a quadruple change. Adriana’s stunning effort from range was heading straight for the top corner, but goalkeeper Nay Cáceres denied her with a brilliant save of her own.

Espanyol would give themselves breathing space with a second goal soon after, almost identical to the first. Adriana brought the ball wide and crossed it into the box, and this time substitute Pixu was there to head it home for a comfortable advantage.

Ainhoa Delgado brought UDG Tenerife back into it with a late goal, and though it set up for a dramatic finish, RCD Espanyol Femení held on for a vital victory to move three points off the play-offs at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque.

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Match information

RCD Espanyol Femení: María Pi, Luzu, Guerra, Nuria Martínez, Caracas (Sara Extremera 90+1’), N. Opazo (Aina Torres 90+1’), Judit Pablos (Pixu 77’), Carol Marín, Alba Mellado (Baudet 65’), A. Martín (Ari Márquez 90+1’), Chini

UDG Tenerife B Femenino: Nay Cáceres, Arminda (Lemes 64’), Sara López, Moneyba (Barbara Martínez 79’), Giovana Dos Santos, Fegue, Ana Fernández (Ainhoa Delgado 64’), Lara González (Aitiara 64’), Cindy, Isabel Álvarez (Encarni 64’), Marta Estupiñán

Referee: María Monesma Sánchez

Goals: 1-0 Carol Marín 56’, 2-0 Pixu 81’, 2-1 Ainhoa Delgado 85’

Bookings: Barbara Martínez 82’

Attendance: Aprox. 350