Valladolid B 4 Real Oviedo 3

Real Oviedo edged out in thriller

Oviedo lose first game of the season

Real Oviedo suffered their first defeat of the season in a lunchtime ding-dong battle at the Jose Zorilla. Los Carbayones were roared on by around 2,000 travelling fans.

Sergio Egea made just one change to the starting line with Omgba coming in to replace Generelo who had failed to recover from the injury picked up last week. Josep Sene made a return to the match day squad as he was named amongst the substitutes.

Oviedo started the game brightly and could have opened the scoring twice inside the opening 10 minutes. Susaeta failed to meet Bautista’s centre properly and only directed his header wide, where as Omgba met a cross from the same full back but his left footed curling effort went just over the bar. You could see the confidence oozing from the away team.

Totally against the run of play though and Valladolid B took the lead just after the 20 minute mark. Dani Bautista went to clear the ball but only cleared as far as left back Brian who from 3 yards outside the area smashed a left foot volley into the top corner giving Esteban no chance whatsoever. It was a stunning strike and a sign of things to come. A few minutes later and the home side doubled their lead. A well worked passing move down the middle of the pitch with the ball ending up at the feet of Guille Andres. He shifted it round David Fernandez before rifling home from the edge of the box. Again Esteban was helpless. Then saw 2 quick substitutions from Egea as Bautista hobbled off with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Eneko and Diego Cervero was bought on in place of defensive midfielder Omgba. A bold statement from the coach. Almost immediately this had the desired effect as on 38 minutes Oviedo pulled a goal back. Hector Font stole in at the corner of the penalty area before feeding striker Linares who turned and shot beyond Julio into the far corner to reduce the deficit.  Just on the stroke of half time and it was all square. A deep cross found its way to Susaeta. He squared the ball to Cervero who side footed home from 6 yards to make the score 2-2 at the break and bring to an end a very exciting 45 minutes football.

The 2^nd half got underway and it was Real Oviedo who were the first team on the attack. A swift counter attack with some neat play between Linares and Garcia with the latter getting his shot away but Ramiro came to Valladolid B’s rescue with a superb block. Garcia had another chance on 64 minutes after good play down the left from Eneko. His deep centre found its way to Garcia but he seemed to mis-time his run and didn’t connect with his shot properly and his shot was weak.

As the half went on the home side were looking more of a threat and on 77 minutes they regained the lead. A long ball downfield was allowed to bounce by the Oviedo defence and substitute Dani Vega was the quickest to react and unleashed an unstoppable volley past Esteban. Another terrific strike from the home side. Real Oviedo again found themselves chasing the game and showed great courage to equalise again. It was Eneko the provider this time with a peach of a cross for substitute Sene to leap and nod home for 3-3 to send the Carbayones behind the goal crazy.

The scoring wasn’t over though and 2 minutes later with 87 minutes on the clock the Oviedo defence was breached again. With Oviedo wide open looking to grab a winner, they left themselves exposed at the back and Ayub played a simple ball through to Toni who had beat the offside trap to slot past Esteban and break Oviedo hearts and make it 4-3. This unfortunately was the end of the scoring but the Oviedo faithful were proud of the players and both sets of fans applauded the effort of both teams as they left the field. Despite the result it was a thoroughly entertaining game. There are many positives to take away from the game. Some of our attacking play was excellent as well as the speed of our passing. Next week we find ourselves in another top of the table clash when we entertain UD Logrones at the Carlos Tartiere.