Loanees – Nordtveit & Botelho Benched As Salamanca Win

Two draws from their opening two fixtures has seen UD Salamanca’s promotion challenge falter at the first hurdle, but this afternoon The Union had an an opportunity to notch their first win of the season at home to CD Xerez.

Arsenal loanees Pedro Botelho and Havard Nordtveit have had mixed starts to the campaign, Nordtveit has only played two minutes via the bench, whilst Pedro has started and impressed in every game. However, after the Brazilians hand ball in the final moments against Sevilla B last week, he joined Havard on the substitutes bench for the clash with an unbeaten Xerez.

Salamanca started the brightest and looked to impose themselves on the visitors from the offset. Miku had the first big chance as his low cross was nearly turned in by Cohen. The midfield was a competitive and explosive place meaning the wingers for either side would play crucial roles.

Sito Castro had replaced Botelho at left back and certainly looked stronger at defending, but lacked the attacking influences that the live-wire Arsenal wing-back gave them. Miku was plowing a lone furrow up front, he seemed starved of service as the game became dogged down in midfield, but it was the visitors who would have the best chance of the half as Antonio headed just over from inside the box.

As half time approached Salamanca were dominating. Sevilla’s long range drive was deflected over for a corner, Miku headed the following delivery just wide, and then Butos crashed a hard drive into the stand.

But with 40 minutes on the clock the home side would finally snatch the lead with some excellent football. Savo Sevilla played a neat 1-2 with Cohen in the box, Sevilla would take the rebound and lob it over the advancing keeper from 8 yards.

Last week Pedro’s mistake allowed the opposition back into the game, and with just 2 minutes of the half left, another error would give away the slim advantage. Castro allowed a cross to come in from left, Alberto came out and flapped – dropping the ball at the feet of Antonio to tap into the empty net.

Half Time – UD Salamanca 1-1 Xerez

The hosts were clearly upset after surrendering the lead they have worked for, and came straight out of the traps forcing the Xerez keeper to tip Cohen’s curling shot out for a corner. Gorka Azkorra and Pedro Botelho were then sent out to warm up down the touchlines.

Paulo Sergio and Javier Iturriaga were both introduced in place of the tired Cohen and the injured Toti with 12 minutes of the second period gone, a signal of intent from David Armaral.

Xerez grew in confidence as the game progressed, Francis nearly stabbed his side level until a last ditch stop from Alberto saved Salamanca’s blushes.

Giant forward Azkorra came on with time ticking down in an attempt to bag the winner, his introduction meant both Pedro and Nordtveit would get 0 minutes from this weekend’s fixture.

The Union were torn apart at the back with minutes left, only a poor finish stopped a certain Xerez winner. It was quite clear that they would benifit from playing the Gunners duo in this game, the pace down dropping to an almost crawl.

With 5 minutes left of the first half Savo Sevilla had scored, and with 5 minutes of the second half left, he was at it again. The summer signing managed to get a flick on Sergio’s free-kick to all but hand the points to the home side. The Estadio El Helmántico went crazy after the goal, with shouts of ‘GOALAZO’ echoing around the arena.

They would manage to hang on, and collect the first three points of the campaign. That’s 5 from three games, not quite promotion form yet, but an important victory anyway.

The game was thoroughly enjoyable and it’s clear why the Gunners chose a link up with them, they like to play good football in a scrappy and competitive League. But it’s the amount of game time they give to the youngsters that they will be judged on.

Article By – J.Sanderson