UD Las Palmas beat Córdoba 1-0, providing a victory that virtually guarantees second division football next year. Yet everything started with a jolt for the home side, as after just a minute of play Córdoba player Andrés Martín hit a shot against the left hand post of home goalkeeper Josep. Another second team player, Jesús Fortes, made his debut, replacing Álvaro Lemos who was sidelined through illness. Javi Castellano was chosen by Pepe Mel to take the anchor role in place of the suspended David Timor.
Las Palmas could have scored in the 13th minute, but a shot by Araujo rebounded off the body of Andalusia-born Marcos. Córdoba were back at the Estadio Gran Canaria for the first time since their controversial promotion to the First Division on 22nd June 2014, a game which lingers long in the memory due to the events of the final few minutes (a crowd invasion followed by a goal in injury time to send Córdoba up).
Danny Blum scored his first goal for the club after 20 minutes. From an inswinging corner by Cedrés, the German midfielder shaped to turn a left foot shot past the away goalkeeper. In another attack by the yellows, Rubén Castro’s looping effort came back off the post. Las Palmas were beginning to dominate the match and Córdoba were just a step away from confirming relegation to the third tier of Spanish football. .
Piovaccari had a good chance for Córdoba, although it was Las Palmas who had further chances themselves to go in at half time with a bigger lead, but had to settle for a slender 1-0 advantage as the half time whistle blew.
In the second half, Las Palmas found it hard to close out the game. Córdoba didn’t lie down and closed down the home side at every opportunity. Mel brought fresh legs into his attack with several substitutions, but chances were few and far between. The game was a quiet affair for the home side, as their rivals did not pose much of a threat. As the final whistle came, Blum’s goal was enough give his side another home victory which allows them to approach the final four games of the season with no real problems.
