Real Oviedo 3 Albacete 1

Oviedo pick up first win of campaign

Real Oviedo picked up their first win of the new season after a 3-1 success over a decent Albacete outfit at the Carlos Tartiere

Real Oviedo picked up their first win of the new season after a 3-1 success over a decent Albacete outfit at the Carlos Tartiere.
Susaeta, Borja Valle and Linares were the goal scorers on a wonderful day for Los Carbayones.

Coach Sergio Egea made two changes from last weeks defeat against Alaves with David Fernandez coming back in to replace Verdes at centre of defence and Borja Valle earning a start in place of Jonathan Vila as Egea went for a more attacking line up.

The game started in sluggish fashion with neither side really imposing itself and the first fifteen minutes were played at a pedestrian pace.

Oviedo took the lead with the first real attempt of the game. Hervias went on a run towards goal and was crudely fouled on the edge of the box. Nestor Susaeta stepped up and curled a wonderful free kick into the top corner.
Three minutes later and the visitors missed a golden chance to hit back as a low cross into the box was blazed wildly over the bar from Ruben Cruz from 12 yards.
Real Oviedo then doubled their lead on the half hour and there was more than a stroke of fortune involved. Borja Valle impressing on his return to the side went on a mazy run and shot from the edge of the box. Valle hit the shot well enough but it was straight at keeper Sanchez but the keeper inexplicably fumbled the ball and it trickled into the net. It was a moment to forget for the visiting keeper.
Albacete were playing their part in a ever increasingly entertaining game and were having plenty of possession without that final ball to create the chance. That was until two minutes before half time when they hauled themselves back into the game. A free kick was lofted into the Oviedo penalty area and Santi Jara from the far post pulled back for Ruben Cruz who this time made no mistake with a clever finish curling into the top corner.
The second half started with Albacete looking to attack and they were nearly caught out by a devastating counter attack involving Linares, Valle and lastly Hervias who went close with the deflected shot. As the half wore on there was one or two nervy moments and on 75 minutes the visitors somehow failed to score after an almighty scramble in the six yard box which involved two goal-line clearances and Cesar somehow only hitting the woodwork with the goal at his mercy.
On 83 minutes again from a counter attack Oviedo nearly made it 3 when Hervias played in Linares but the hitman’s chipped effort went just wide.
It was only a temporary relief for Albacete though as Oviedo made sure of the 3 points on 88 minutes and it was Linares who this time made no mistake. Jon Erice's effort was deflected into the path of Linares who slotted coolly beyond Sanchez and make it 3-1.
There was still time for Esteban to show us what a superb keeper he is as he produced a wonder save in the final minute tipping a close range volley from Diego Benito onto the bar.
The whistle sounded and Real Oviedo were off the mark with their first win of the campaign and this win lifts Los Carbayones up to 11th place in the league table.

Next week we travel to the Canary Islands to face Tenerife.