Real Sociedad 1-1 Rayo Vallecano

Real Sociedad had the heartbreak of missing out on a victory in the last minute for the second week in a row after Markel conceded a last minute penalty. Imanol Aggiretxe had given the hosts a first half lead and it looked to be enough to win but the game ended in disappointment again for Real Sociedad.

The game started in familiar fashion with the hosts taking a grip of the game straight from the whistle. On 17 minutes Anoeta was sent into raptures as Marcos looked set to score but a clearance from the Vallecano defender landed straight at Imanol Aggiretxe who finsished well. Not long after it could have been two as Prieto had a powerful effort well saved by the keeper. Rayo threatened to equalise just before half-time but Bravo was commanding at the back.

The second half had a different feel to it and it was Rayo Vallecano who had the better of the play as they sensed the home team again lacked the killer isntinct to put the game to bed. Coach Lillo attempted to freshen things by making three changes - on 60 minutes Moha replaced Sergioa and Necati Ates replaced Marcos but the away team stifled any attacks well. With the game moving into the final minute their was huge controversy as Diamé was very lucky to escape a red card having already been booked and straight after that Markel handled in the area and gifted the away side a penalty that Aganzo tucked away clinically. Markel was shown a red card to rub salt in the wounds. Another frustrating day for Real Sociedad fans who will now be praying a deal for a striker can be done before the next game against Levante.

Real Sociedad: Bravo, Gerardo, Ansotegi, Mikel González Castillo, Markel, Sergio (Moha, 60 mins), Aranburu, Xabi Prieto, Agirretxe (Estrada, 71 mins) and Marcos (Necati, 60 mins).

Rayo Vallecano: Cobeño; Coke, Salva, Tena, Collantes (Aganzo, 65 mins); Jofre, Diamé, Míchel (Manolo, 82 mins), Albiol; Pachón y Piti (Sousa, 46 mins).

Cordoba 2-2 Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad suffered the heartbreak of losing an injury time goal in this afternoons match as the game ended 2-2 when it looked like a vital 3 points were going to be gained. Agirretxe's goal in the 67th minute looked to have won it but Pierini equilased for the hosts in the 94th minute.

Real Sociedad started the stronger and took a deserved lead on 20 minutes when winger Marcos picked up the ball out on the right before cutting inside and unleashing a great shot past Mario in the Cordoba goal. After the goal Real Sociedad began to lose some momentum and Cordoba came back into the game. On 30 mins Arteaga was set up by Yordi to square the game.

In the second half Real found their momentum again and dominated but couldn't get past a determined defence. Cordoba could have taken the lead when Yordi was played through and rounded Bravo but Ansotegi got back brilliantly to block the effort and save a certain goal. The visitors took the lead on 66 minutes when Agirretxe, who replaced Necati ten minutes earlier, finished a brilliant move that involved Marcos and Aranburu. After taking the lead again Real Sociedad decided to sit on their lead and defended bravely and just when it looked like being a valuable 3 points gained Pierini rose after a cross came in to bullet home a header to send the home fans into raptures.

Teams -

Cordoba, Mario (Cristian Alvarez, 86 mins), Pierini, Gaspar, Ruben; Guzman Ito Endika (Asen, 75 mins), Arteaga (Jose Vega, 48 mins), Javi Flores; Yordi.

Real Sociedad: Bravo, Carlos Martinez, Ansotegi, Labaka, Castillo, Markel, Diego Rivas, Aranburu, Xabi Prieto (Estrada, 91 mins), Marcos (Sergio, 88 mins), Necati (Agirretxe, 56 mins).

Real Sociedad 1-0 SD Eibar - Friendly

Real Sociedad defeated local rivals SD Eibar 1-0 in yesterdays friendly match in San Miguel thanks to a 62nd minute goal from young striker Imanol Agirretxe. As predicted before the match Coach Lillo played two different teams in each half and Lillo felt it was a very worthwhile excercise after the match.

The first half only served to remind fans just how lacklustre the forwardline has been lately with Necati Ates guilty of missing clear chances to score. In the 4 months he has been at the club he has yet to show the fans any glimpses of the goalscoring reputation he holds in his native Turkey and with it looking unlikely any signings will be made to bolster the frontline given the current economic crisis at the club, Real Sociedad desperately need him to start being more rutheless in front of goal.

The second half continues with a fresh line-up and Agirretxe replacing Necati up front and it was the youngster who scored the winner in the 62nd minute with a cool finish and will be a massive confidence boost for him. The match played out with Eibar looking for ways back into the match but Real Sociedad always looked the more likely to score. All in all a very worthwhile excercise before Sundays important away match against Cordoba.

Real Sociedad: Iturrioz, Gerardo, Ansotegi, Mikel González, Drama, Illarramendi, Sergio, Zurutuza Marcos, Estrada and Necati. In the second half: Zubikarai, Carlos Martínez, Labaka, Cadamuro, Castillo, Rivas, Aranburu, Ros, Prieto, Agirretxe and Moha.

SD Eibar: Asier, Añibarro, Raúl, Alaña, Yagüe, Txiki, Sutil, Lombraña, Cases, Carlos Rubén y Markel. SD Eibar: Asier, Añibarro Raul, Alan, Yagüe, Txiki, Sutil, Lombraña, Cases, and Carlos Rubén Markel. They also played Urzelai, Codina, Romero, Biel Medina, and Arkaitz Larrazabal.