Mallorca won Tuesday against Elche 2-1 in the first of their last three bouts against relegation. A goal from Lago Junior in the first half and another from Pol Roigé in the second half, helped the Mallorcan´s case to stay in the Liga Adelante next year.
The Mallorcan triumph was their eleventh of the season, the ninth at the home, and an agonizing blow to Elche, who clawed one back in the 91st minute.
Fernando Vázquez´ team conceded as soon as they started to think ahead to their games against Córdoba and Real Valladolid, which will determine just how disappointing this season has been.
Elche meanwhile, lost for the tenth time this season, eight of which have come as visitors, and remain winless since April 17, when the team beat Lugo 2-0.
The Balearic team dominated the first part of the game against a timid opposition, who only dreamt about attacking.
The Mallorcan onslaught came from every direction, with Lago Junior, Salomao, Michel Pereira, and Alfredo Ortuño consistently testing the Elche defense.
But it started in the center of the field, where the RCD midfield duo of Damiá Sabater and Abdoul Sissoko calmly controlled the game and, thus, enabled Lago Junior to strike in the 23rd minute.
The Mallorcan contingent needed the three points at stake, due to its precarious spot in the table. That objective, coupled with the largest attendance during the entire season gave Fernando Vázquez´ team the boost that they desperately needed.
In contrast, it took Elche nearly the entire match to react to the Mallorcan assault, after conceding five corners to Mallorca in the first half alone.
Up top, Sergio León was left isolated by his teammates and Álex Moreno rarely touched the ball before being replaced in the first minute of the second half.
The second half was a different story. Rubén Barajas´ team came out energized, in search of a tie against the busy Mallorcan defense, who themselves tried to supply the pass for an insurance goal.
But in a demonstration of will-power, that Mallorcan second came just eleven minutes before the final whistle. Pol Roigé, a substitute for Lago Júnior, scored on a jumbled play inside the Elche penalty box,
Yet, Elche had chances. José Ángel went close in the 91st minute, but his nerves got the better of him as he sent the ball up into the stands. And as the referee finally but the whistle to his mouth, Elche had to settle with another defeat that leaves them in the faintest shadows of promotion.
Mallorca on the other hand, is slightly closer to salvation, which they can ratify in the coming two games against Córdoba (at home) and Real Valladolid (away).
