Tie in the balance ahead of second leg
STARTING XIs
Real Oviedo: Esteban; Nacho López, Dani Bautista, Jonathan Vila, David Fernández, Jon Erice, Omgba (Cervero,’76), Susaeta, Héctor Font (Sergio García,’68), Linares & Borja Valle (Generelo,’86).
Cádiz CF: Aulestia; Mantecón, Servando, Josete, Tomás, Juan Villar, Garrido, Juanma, Fran Machado, Kike (Navarrete,’78) & Jona (Airamn,’62).
REFEREE
Vicente Moral, Castilla-León Refereeing Federation, booked Real Oviedo players Linares & Cervero, as well as visitor Airam and Garrido, who got two yellow cards and was sent off.
GOALS
0-1, ‘45. Jona
1-1, ‘85. Cervero
FACTS
First leg of the champions promotion play-off to Segunda A at Estadio Carlos Tartiere. Sold out game. Nearly 1,000 Cádiz fans in the stands. Mr Carlos Slim and Mr Arturo Elías Ayub, major shareholders of Real Oviedo, were present witnessing the game.
MATCH
Real Oviedo and Cadiz could not be separated as they drew 1-1 in the first leg of the championship play-off at a sold-out Carlos Tartiere. The game was played in front of a passionate crowd but los Carbayones were grateful to a late equaliser from veteran Diego Cervero as the tie now heads to the crucial second leg at the Estadio Ramón de Carranza.
Sergio Egea picked a very strong line-up with five changes from last week’s game at Coruxo. Dani Bautista, Nacho Lopez, Héctor Font, Omgba and Jon Erice coming into replace Redondo, Charlie, Generelo, Eneko and Christian Rivera.
The game was as expected a frantic affair and despite the lack of real goalmouth action it was the Blues who nearly opened the scoring but for a wonderful save from Aulestia, who managed to claw away Borja Valle’s effort from the edge of the box, which had seemed destined for the bottom corner. It was somewhat against the run of play though that the visitors struck first on the stroke of half time. Juan Villar crossed from the right hand side and there was Jona nipping in front of his defender to finish past Esteban for a crucial away goal for his side.
Matters could have got worse in the second half when Cadiz nearly made it two after Servando beat the offside trap. Thankfully, his volley went passed the outside of the post rather than the inside.
Sergio García then went close to scoring an outstanding equaliser for los Carbayones but his wonderful 30-yard effort came back off the upright. It was so unlucky for the substitute. It was another substitute -who was not so unlucky- who wrote the headlines though on 81 minutes. Diego Cervero rolling back the years by getting in front of his man to nod Borja Valle’s right-wing cross into the net and send the 30,000 Oviedo fans wild. Cádiz were then reduced to 10 men when Garrido picked up a second yellow card.
We now head to Cádiz next week with all to play for and knowing one more win and we will definitely be promoted.
The other championship play-off it also ended all square as Huesca and Gimnástic played out a goalless draw.
It should also be mentioned Real Oviedo B who are also competing in the end of season play-offs to be promoted from the Tercera división into the Segunda B. They were also at home in their 1st leg and won 1-0 in the quarter-final tie against Arenas de Getxo. David González scoring the winner 9 minutes into the second half.
We now face a nervous few days before we travel to Cádiz for our 2nd leg.
John Mothershaw & OK English
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