Referee takes centre stage as winning home streak ends
Real Oviedo were forced to settle for a point in a controversial Friday night clash at the Carlos Tartiere. Ten-man Oviedo were closest to grabbing all three points but for Toche's penalty miss.
Hierro as has seemed the case every time I write made two changes to the previous line up with Christian and Linares coming in to replace Varela & Borja.
The first action of any note came when Toche was elbowed in the face. The referee took no action at all but booked the Oviedo striker for arguing about the lack of punishment for the Huesca player. This was a sign of things to come with the referee who seemed to want to take centre stage so I wont give him the recognition of naming him. The first chance of any note came for Linares but his left footed effort flashed across the face of goal. Oviedo were forced into a substitution on 20 minutes when Verdes hobbled off. The ref gave the defender a send off by flashing a yellow card as him as he walked off. I’ve no idea what for!
Real Oviedo took the lead on 28 minutes out of the blue. Susaeta curled in a free kick to around the penalty spot and there was Costas to power home a header via the post. It was a great header.
It was the visitor’s turn to be aggrieved with the ref on the stroke of half time when they felt they should have had a spot kick. The ref waved away their protests and came under some stick from the Huesca players and officials as he left the pitch at the interval.
The visitors clearly still annoyed started the second half more positively and were intent on attacking. Melero flashed a Gonzalez centre just wide inside the first few minutes of the restart. Juan Carlos then slipped over handing a golden chance to Gonzalez but redeemed himself to save well at the feet of the player.
Then came another moment of controversy as Oviedo were reduced to ten men. Christian was the unlucky man. He looked puzzled by the decision it would be fair to say and no one knew why the red card had been produced. Replays showed as he escaped the challenge his arm flicked back and caught the player. It’s hard to determine the intent but it seemed extremely harsh to say the least.
Huesca took advantage of their man advantage and started throwing everything forward in search of an equaliser. This came on 67 minutes and it was almost a carbon copy of the Oviedo goal. Fereiro curling a free kick into the box for centre back Carlos David to power home a header. Juan Carlos will probably be upset with his part as he came to collect the free kick but didn’t get there and was caught in no mans land.
Oviedo steadied the ship after this and it was more of an even contest. With ten minutes to go though Oviedo had a golden chance to win it. Carlos David upended Johannesson in the box and the ref awarded a spot kick. Toche stepped up and smashed it down the middle. Herrera in the Huesca goal had dived to his right but the ball hit the end of his foot and trickled wide of the post. It wasn’t to be and both sides had to settle for the draw, which in truth was a fair result.
The race for the play offs is heating up. You get the feeling we are going to need to starting picking up some points away from home if we are to finish in the top six hopefully starting next week with the small matter of a trip to runaway leaders Levante.
John Mothershaw
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