Racing Santander 2 Real Oviedo 0

Real Oviedo go down in El Sardinero

Oviedo have it all to do for the rest of the season

Real Oviedo were comfortably beaten in a disappointing display at El Sardinero. Again coach Roberto Robles made changes to the starting 11 with 3 changes from last week. Alvaro came in at right back in place of David Alba. Sergio Rodriguez replaced the injured Jon Erice and Alain was preferred to Sergio Garcia.

Both teams went into this game with a huge incentive after yesterdays surprise result for Racing Ferrol who lost heavily at Compostela. Oviedo of course to close the gap on 2^nd place and the hosts who had the chance to pull 8 points clear at the top and virtually guarantee top spot for themselves.

The game got under way in the Cantabrian sunshine amidst a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium with a large home crowd and over 2000 travelling fans. This had the feel of a la liga/Segunda game rather than one from the 3^rd tier.

It wasn’t long before the 1^st chance came along either and it was top scorer Kone who beat the offside trap to race through 1 on 1 but his shot was smothered by Oviedo keeper Orlando. Orlando was brave getting down to save and appeared to get injured. Unfortunately for the keeper despite trying to run off the injury, he could not continue and had to be replaced on 20 minutes by Pol.

Shortly after came Oviedo’s 1^st attack but Susaeta shot wide from 25yards. 10 minutes later and Alain beat the home defence’s offside trap down the right hand side but his pull back was too far behind the advancing Oviedo attackers and Racing cleared. The match was not living up to its pre match billing though and both sides were guilty of continually failing to keep possession of the ball and there was a lack of chances as a consequence. Alain fashioned out a good position 5 minutes before the interval but instead of playing in Sergio Rodriguez down the left he shot well wide from 30 yards. It was the wrong option. Just before the break and the home side nearly took the lead. Kone fired in a poor cross but Alvaro’s clearance was equally poor and fell to Miguelez on the edge of the box who hit 1^st time but the ball curled inches past the post. Half time arrived with the game goalless.

The 2^nd half got under way and shortly after the home side did take the lead. Ander in midfield fed Miguelez and he in turned chipped the ball over the onrushing Pol and the ball landed in the far corner to send the home fans wild. It was the last thing Oviedo needed. It did however force a change of tactics and approach from the visitors who now had to be more positive. Sergio Rodriguez curled in a free kick but it was straight at Alejandro in the Racing goal.

Real Oviedo were pushing more men forward in search of an equaliser but were susceptible to the counter attack which is exactly what happened on the hour mark. This time it was Granero who fed in Kone who was in a similar position to Miguelez but Kone chose to shoot hard and low and the ball flew under Pol to double the lead. Pol will probably feel he should have kept it out.

The home fans were in party mood now as they closed in on their 8 point lead at the top of the table.

Oviedo on the other hand were desperate for a goal to try and get back in the game. Susaeta fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal but it was just out of reach of substitute Cervero. Alvaro also went close when he turned and shot after Racing failed to clear a corner properly. In all honesty though there was just no way through for Los Carbayones and despite a 15 minute spell where they were on top, they simply ran out of ideas and the game petered out. Ander nearly made it 3 in the final moments after Simon was caught in possession but Pol saved well to keep the score to 2-0 which is how the game finished. Racing, not for the 1^st time this season had deserved their win against us.

Despite the result Real Oviedo remain in the top 4 but the rest of the pack are closing the gap. There is just 2 points that separate Oviedo in 4^th and Burgos all the way down in 9^th. Its going to be nip and tuck from now to the end of the season. We have 7 games remaining and must accumulate as many points as possible to give ourselves a fighting chance of finishing in the top 4 spots. Next week we are back at home where we entertain SD Logrones.