Athletic Club 1-1 Real Sociedad
Intensity out on the pitch and emotion in the stands are the hallmarks of a game as special as the Basque derby, and we were in for a treat once again at Lezama. After the teams sized each other up in the opening minutes, Real Sociedad started to dominate possession and could have taken the lead on two occasions thanks to Nahikari Garcia. However, some good defensive work by Athletic prevented the visitors from heading in for the break with the advantage.
After the restart, the game followed a familiar script. La Real pressed Las Leonas and were rewarded with a goal, Manuela Lareo sticking an absolute beauty in the top corner 10 minutes from time. The away fans went wild, but their celebrations were cut short just four minutes later when Athletic's top goalscorer, Yulema Corres, grabbed an equaliser. The game ended with the points shared in what was one of the most evenly matched derbies in recent years.
Oiartzun KE 0-1 FC Barcelona
Oiartzun's ground is never an easy one to visit – something which they demonstrate in every game. This time it was Barcelona making the journey there and although they were dominant, they did not break the deadlock until the 26th minute through Jenni Hermoso. Vicky Losada was a constant threat, but the Basque side's defensive solidity regularly frustrated the table-topping Azulgranas.
A goal to the good, Xavi Llorens's charges tried to kill off the game, but could not find a way through. The Catalan manager brought on Irene del Rio in the final stages to add some pace and fluidity in a bid to wrap things up. However, Oiartzun continued to stand firm – their goalkeeper Oihana Aldai was one of the standout performers with some fine saves. The leaders at the start of the matchday remain on top thanks to three hard-fought points in Oiartzun.
Valencia CF 2-2 Granadilla Egatesa
This was billed to be a hotly contested match and we were not left disappointed. A draw means Valencia remain in fourth and Granadilla in fifth. The team from Tenerife took the lead through Ayano Dozono just six minutes in, but it did not take long for Valencia to reply. Maria Paz Vilas pounced after Noelia Ramos had parried a Claudia Zornoza free-kick on eight minutes to level the scores and lift the home crowd.
With the game back on, Valencia seized control with Georgina Carreras and Carolina Ferez plying their trade in the middle of the pitch. Zornoza produced a fantastic strike on 33 minutes to put Valencia ahead. The home side headed in for the break after staging a comeback, but there was more action to be had in the second half. Pisco levelled the scores in the 62nd minute and, despite Valencia pushing for a winner, the teams walked off at full-time with a point apiece.
Real Betis 0-3 Rayo Vallecano
There is no limit to Rayo Vallecano's ambitions, judging by their football of late. Against Betis they produced the perfect performance, proving just how high the Madrid-based outfit are setting their sights. They have gone from virtually propping up the league table to entering the Copa de la Reina qualification spots.
The team are looking assured out on the field of play, and the goals just keep on coming for Natalia Pablos. She got the first against Betis on eight minutes, before Raquel Carreño doubled the visitors' advantage to make it 2-0 at half-time. Far from sitting on their laurels when play resumed, Rayo were hungry for more and went in search of a third. And they found it through Cristina Sanchez Auñon, securing the three points and continuing their march up the standings to the delight of the travelling fans.
UD Tacuense 1-1 Zaragoza CFF
"Any points we can get on the board in this situation are positive. I want my players to believe they're capable of anything." These were the words of new Tacuense coach Juan Francisco (Fanfi) Herrera following the game against Zaragoza. Herrera's presence clearly had an impact, as his relegation-threatened side fought back to claim a valuable point.
Nuria Mallada put the visitors in front with 10 minutes of the first half remaining, but Tacuense were not demoralised and struck back just two minutes later through Tania Carballo. There were no further goals to be had and so the Canary Islanders chalked up their fourth point of the season, which was not enough to lift them off the foot of the table, but did serve to draw them level with second-bottom Oiartzun.
F. Albacete 2-0 Santa Teresa CD
The hosts at long last brought their winless run to an end, with two second-half goals – a Tomo Matsukawa penalty and an angled Alicia Muñoz strike from inside the box – firing them past Santa Teresa. The away side's hopes of a comeback all but vanished when Vania Martins was dismissed with half an hour left on the clock.
The three points from their first win in 10 matches see Albacete climb away from the dreaded drop zone, while Santa Teresa still sit in mid-table.
Sporting Huelva 2-1 RCD Espanyol
Antonio Toledo's team remain very much on a roll, their victory over a battling Espanyol extending their unbeaten run to four games, of which they have won three and drawn one.
Patricia Sochor broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a fierce drive that crashed down off the crossbar and over the line. Having caught the Catalans cold at the end of the first period, Sporting repeated the trick after the interval, Ana Belen Hernandez (Anita) adding to their advantage within seconds of the restart with a slightly scuffed strike that nestled in the bottom corner.
Although Espanyol rallied and reduced the deficit on 62', a combination of Alba Pomares and Anita bundling the ball into the net from a corner, they were unable to complete the comeback and so the points stayed in Huelva.
Atletico Madrid 5-0 UD Levante
Not even in Atletico's wildest dreams could they have envisaged that by midway through the first half they would have this blockbuster fixture sewn up, in the bag and put to bed, but that is exactly how it transpired.
Levante arrived in Majadahonda having yet to lose, in buoyant spirits after defeating local rivals Valencia 2-1 and hoping to take control of second place and establish themselves as the closest challengers to Barcelona. As it was, they departed on the end of a thrashing by the equally unbeaten Rojiblancas, their decision to play three at the back seemingly having backfired in a big way as their defence was breached repeatedly.
Sonia Bermudez (Soni) gave Atleti the lead after 11 minutes, before a brace from Priscila Borja (on 14' and 24') left Levante's hopes in tatters. The visitors strove to get back into the game after the break and Angel Villacampa's side were indebted to the reactions of Lola Gallardo for keeping out Nerea Perez's close-range effort. In the 76th minute Levante had another chance to cut the arrears and prompt some nerves among the home support, only for Charlyn Corral to skim the post after a fine solo move.
The next goal was an emotional one, with Laura Fernandez – making not just her return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but also her Liga Iberdrola debut – the scorer. It was a lovely goal to boot, the fit-again forward finishing confidently past Noelia Bermudez after being set up by a Soni flick. Amanda Sampedro rounded off the scoring from the very next attack as Atletico laid down a real marker and moved themselves back within two points of pace-setters Barça.
