Real Aviles 0 Real Oviedo 0

Honours even in Aviles

Unbeaten start to the season continues

Real Oviedo made the short trip to face Real Aviles at the Roman Suarez Puerta fresh from last week’s impressive victory over Gijon B. There were three changes however to last weeks line up. In came Omgba, Eneko and Jon Erice to replace Sergio Sanchez, Borja Valle and Hector Font who was a late withdrawal thanks to a tooth infection.

Real Oviedo were also wearing their new 3^rd strip which its fair to say has been a hit with the fans so far.

Onto the action and it was Oviedo who made the brighter start and went close twice in the opening ten minutes of the game. After just three minutes following a well worked free kick down the left, Eneko crossed for Linares at the near post but he got too far underneath the ball and his header looped up and was tipped comfortably over the bar by Aviles keeper Alejandro. Shortly afterwards Generelo picked the ball up inside the Aviles half before feeding it through to Linares but his shot was saved at the near post.

As the half grew though Aviles seemed to get more of a foothold and the game became increasingly scrappy. It took until the half hour mark for the hosts to fashion out a chance. A long threw ball to striker Rivera was well controlled before he teed up Chevi from the edge of the area but he could only side foot wide. That was as close as it got for either side as chances were at a premium.

The start of the second half was similar in respect of chances created, although it was evident Oviedo were playing with a higher tempo, pressing higher up the pitch. We were actually playing some neat passing football. There was some good link up play and  the only thing missing was the final ball or the final pass. Aviles were defending doggedly and counter attacking when they could.

Then came arguably the best period of the game. The last 20 minutes created more chances than the rest of the match as the game become more stretched with neither side settling for a point. Aviles had their best period and Oviedo were twice thankful to keeper Esteban. Omar Sampedro was the first man to be denied. He cut inside from the left before shooting right footed. Esteban had read the danger and was out like a shot to narrow the angle and make a terrific save. The veteran keeper showing all his experience.  On 77 minutes Esteban made possibly an even better save when he denied Rivera. Again he was almost cat like in his reflexes to be out and make the save to deny the Aviles striker from close range. Rivera had a second bite of the cherry as the ball broke to him but he blasted wastefully over.

This seemed to kick start Oviedo into action again. The sight of Esteban rolling back the years had motivated the team to try to grab all 3 points. On 87 minutes substitute Diego Cervero beat the offside trap to meet Jon Erice’s neat centre and stooped to head the ball and to the agony of the visiting supporters it went narrowly wide of the far post. Just two minutes later came possibly the best chance of the game and it was Linares who did everything right in creating the chance for himself. He dribbled past two defenders to the edge of the box and with just the keeper to beat went for power rather than placement and his effort flew over the bar. The striker was clearly distraught as he collapsed to the floor head in hands.

There was still time for one more moment in a frantic finish. In an almost carbon copy of his earlier chance Cervero managed to sneak in unmarked at the far post to volley goal wards after thinking he had beat the offside trap. The keeper saved well but the ball rebounded to Cervero who smashed it into the net. Unfortunately the linesman on the far side had his flag aloft to disallow the goal and the game ended 0-0. What was even more unfortunate was the fact the TV replays showed the striker to be clearly onside. It was a frustrating end to the match but overall it’s a good point away from home to a tough opponent who finished above us last season and a clean sheet.

There are many positive to take from the game. Including several good individual performances as well as some good team play. Four points from our opening two fixtures represents a decent start.

Next week we look to make it three unbeaten when we host Burgos at the Carlos Tartiere. Before that though we are in Copa del Rey action when Segunda B group 2 side SD Amorebieta come to town on Wednesday evening.