Real Oviedo 1 SD Logrones 0

Real Oviedo return to winning ways

Real Oviedo pick up valuable win

Real Oviedo picked up 3 valuable points with a much needed 1-0 home victory over SD Logrones on Saturday night. After a disappointing run of 3 games without a win, Los Carbayones were desperate for the points tonight to halt the chasing play off pack breathing further down their necks. Coach Roberto Robles was without 3 midfield players as Jon Erice is still injured whilst Hector Simon & Ivan Rubio were both suspended for this match due to collecting too many yellow cards. In came Salva Rivas & Sergio Garcia. David Alba return to the right back spot in place of Alvaro. Pol also returned between the sticks after Orlando’s injury last week.

It was also the 1^st time since his appointment that Robles could take his place in the dugout as his ban has now expired.

The game got underway and Oviedo were 1^st to threaten, Susaeta shooting left footed from the edge of the box but his effort was straight at Mandaluniz in the Logrones goal. On the quarter hour mark Logrones nearly took the lead. David Fernandez lost the ball bringing it out of defence to Fran Sota, he teed up Inaki but his shot was gathered by Pol.

Salva Rivas then tried his luck from 25 yards after some good work on the left from Sene but Rivas dragged his shot wide. Despite these half chances the game was struggling to get going as both sides looked nervy and were both guilty of surrendering possession. Real Oviedo’s nerves were soon settled though as on 25 minutes they took the lead. David Fernandez’s cross was headed out to the edge of the box for Sergio Garcia to volley back in and there was Alain to divert the ball side footed past a hapless Mandaluniz to put the home side in front. It was a real poachers finish. 5 minutes later and Oviedo could have doubled their lead, again it was Arroyo with a flicked header from Susaeta’s cross but this time the keeper got down well & saved. On the stroke of half time the visitors were close to equalising when a free kick was curled in and Candelas headed towards the bottom corner but Pol somehow got down and managed to save and then got himself in the way of Moya’s rebound. It was an incredible double save and kept Oviedo’s goal in tact at the interval.

Almost immediately after the re-start and Alain had another chance to double the lead but he over hit his lobbed effort and the ball went over the bar. The game was becoming scrappier as it went on. The home side were desperate for a 2^nd goal to kill the game but were struggling to create any real chances. A long range effort again from Salva Rivas went over the bar and didn’t trouble the visitors. Nerves were again setting in amongst the Carlos Tartiere faithful as the visitors were gradually getting a foothold in the game. They need points themselves for different reasons as they find themselves at the wrong end of the table. Fran Sota’s free kick mid way through the 2^nd half was deflected just wide. Logrones were gaining more belief as the game went on and really should have equalised on 82 minutes when substitute Javier Torres burst down the left and his pulled back ball fell to fellow substitute Mario Leon completely unmarked 10 yards out but fortunately for Los Carbayones he totally missed his kick and the danger was gone. It was a huge let off for the home side. There was 1 final scare in the final minute when Mandaluniz’s long ball downfield was headed on into the path of Laencina who turned and shot to the near post but thankfully the ball went the wrong side of the post and into the side netting. The final whistle was met with relief. Tonight was not about the performance, we are at the stage of the season when the only thing that matters is the result. Real Oviedo tonight got the result and hopefully this should give us some confidence going into the final 6 games of the season and beyond into the play off’s. A big week now lies ahead as we have 2 away games. On Wednesday it’s the re-arranged trip to face Coruxo followed by a trip to Compostela at the weekend. 6 points would be perfect.