Alaves 2 Real Oviedo 0

Oviedo slide to defeat

Real Oviedo had a rude awakening in their opening away fixture of the Liga Adelante campaign. 

Real Oviedo had a rude awakening in their opening away fixture of the Liga Adelante campaign.
Defensive lapses costing Los Carbayones in the opening 20 minutes. Real Oviedo improved in the second half but were unable to find a way back into the match.
Sergio Egea made just one change from last weeks opening day draw with Lugo with Verdes coming in for David Fernandez at the heart of defence.
It was the home side who opened the scoring after just 7 minutes and the goal came out of nowehere. Full back Carpio pumped a diagonal ball upfield to the edge of the box for Juli. Right back Fernandez came across to try to clear the danger but sliced the ball over Esteban who had come for the same ball into the empty net. It was certainly not the start the visitors were looking for.
Things went from bad to worse 10 minutes later when  Alaves doubled their lead. Oviedo only half cleared a corner which was hooked back into the box and after a nod down there was Pelegrin unmarked inside the six yard box to head past Esteban.
Oviedo were shellshocked at this stage but did manage to settle things down as the half went on. On the half hour mark created their first chance with Linares heading a Susaeta corner wide. Linares did have the ball in the net 2 minutes before the break when he headed in another cross from Susaeta but his wonderful header was ruled out as the referee adjudged he had pushed the defender. It seemed a harsh decision.
Into the second half and Alaves nearly scored a third but for an absolute world class save from Esteban. Guichon tricked his way past Fernandez on the left wing before whipping in a near post cross and there was Juli to head towards the bottom corner only for Esteban to show superb reflexes and somehow claw the ball away. Oviedo were looking for a way back into the game and following a corner Pena's low cross was perfect for Borja Gomes but the defender could only divert his toe poke at Alaves keeper Pacheco. Pena was making a habit of going forward during the second half and again his cross was met by an Oviedo player, this time Linares on 78 minutes but the striker couldnt keep his effort on target. The longer the game went on Oviedo were pushing forward and Alaves were looking dangerous on the break. Substitute Dani Estrada nearly added a third but his effort was deflected wide with Languardia heading the resulting corner wide also as the home side looked to wrap things up. There was little goalmouth action in the last 10 minutes as Alaves safely saw the game out and the whistle sounded.
Real Oviedo will look to turn things round next week and pick up our first win when we welcome Albacete to the Carlos Tartiere.


John Mothershaw