Real Oviedo 2 Marino 0

Oviedo pick up important victory 

Second half strikes see off brave Marino

Real Oviedo picked up another valuable three points in the title race at the top of the Segunda B group 1 after a 2-0 victory over Marino de Luanco. After a slow first half in which the visitors held their defence shape, the damage was done in the second half mainly thanks to two more assists from Mr reliable Nestor Susaeta.

Coach Sergio Egea made his customary adjustments to the starting line up with two changes from last weeks trip to Galicia. Jonathan Vila returned to central defence in place of Charlie and Dioni came in for Omgba. There was also a place on the bench for Diego Cervero after last week’s absence.

Real Oviedo started the game well and in confident mood passing the ball about but it was clear almost from the off what Marino’s plans for the afternoon were. To defend and defend in numbers, two banks of four players just in front of the penalty box giving very little space to the hosts. It was clear that Oviedo were going to have to be patient and try and stretch the visitors from their rigid shape. In fact the home side were limited to just half chances in the first half. Linares fashioned space for himself inside the area but shot straight at Rafa Ponzo in the Marino goal. Borja Valle nearly capitalised on a mix up the home defence and latched onto a loose ball but his well-driven effort was straight at Ponzo who stood firm. Linares went close from a set piece, heading Susaeta’s corner over. Half time arrived without any real danger for the visitors and they went down the tunnel the happier side at the interval. Oviedo needed to up the tempo of the game. A fast move, a set piece or bit of great wide play was needed if Oviedo were to break the deadlock.

This is exactly what happened as you could tell from the first minute of the second half that the tempo had clearly lifted. Linares had the first chance after the break and after playing a neat one-two with Dioni, the striker shot left footed only to see his effort crash against the bar and over for a goal kick. After a couple more chances including one for the visitors after Baba Draman tested Esteban from the edge of the box came the vital breakthrough on 64 minutes. Susaeta received a pass from Nacho Lopez before whipping in a beauty of a cross for Linares to nip in front of his man and volley in past Ponzo. The keeper managed to get a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out and the deadlock was broken. Linares nearly doubled the lead moments later when he chipped the onrushing Ponzo only for a defender to get back and clear the danger. On 72 minutes Oviedo did double their lead and again it was Susaeta with his fifth assist in two games. His corner evaded the defender at the near post before bouncing up and hitting Redondo in the chest. The ball flew into the air and down for Redondo to volley left footed past the keeper for his second goal for the club and to make it 2-0. Oviedo had several more chances to add to the score but couldn’t take them as Marino’s defence tired and Ponzo was called into overtime. The whistle sounded and Oviedo picked up their 20^th league win out of 29 games and that is also 14 unbeaten league games now stretching back to the last league defeat at the end of November, a wonderful feat. Next week we are back on the road with a tricky trip to face Lealtad.