CARTAGENA ARE THE REAL THING

Sport » Soccer » FC Cartagena

Steve Hibberd / 2009-04-19 19:19:47

On their way to promotion

REAL MADRID 'B' - 0 FC CARTAGENA - 1 ..... A magnificent Carmona goal not only secured a double over Real Madrids 2nd string, but virtually guaranteed Cartagena qualification to the div 2b playoffs.

With 2nd place leganes only drawing, the top of the table looks like this: 1. Cartagena - 66 points, 2. Leganes - 63 points, 3. Lorca - 63 points, 4. Lorqui - 61 points, 5. Real Murcia - 59 points. Bearing in mind that the top 4 qualify for the play offs, only 2 points are required from Cartagenas next 3 games.

Four coachloads of Los Albinegros faithful made the long journey to Madrid for this important fixture. Real Madrid use their lesser Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium for all div 2b matches, which is probably better than most other div 2b grounds (Cartagena being an exception).

After only 8 mins, it looked like Cartagena had taken the lead, but Tatos effort was ruled out when the ref spotted an infringement. Apart from a fine long range shot by Carmona Which was punched away for a corner, the only other incidents of note in a poor 1st half, were the 4 bookings issued (2 apiece).

On the hour mark, the home side should have scored, but the livewire no 11 who was in the thick of everything, shot into the side netting. Five mins later, Carmonas long range shot was well saved, then a fierce header by Armando inched just wide of the far post. With Cartagena well and truely on the ascendancy, an audacious lob from all of 25 yards by Carmona, struck the far post before rolling into the back of the net.

Carmonas 10th goal of the season was greeted with delirious celebration by the noisy fans from Murcia. They shall not pass, seemed to be Los Albinegros mentality for reckless tackles were flying thick and fast, resulting in the ref correctly booking the offenders.

So it was no surprise when Armando picked up his 2nd yellow card after 86 mins (3rd dismissal of the season). Down to 10 men, Cartagena soaked up Real Madrid pressure admirably, punching the air in delight as the final whistle rewarded a superb performance with 3 hard earned points.

Attendance - 2,500
FC Cartagena lineup: RUBEN, TXIKI, ARMANDO, AGUILAR, CABREJO (NANO), CARMONA, MARIANO, FALCON (MIKI), VIYUELA, TATO, MENA (ELOY)

FORTHCOMING FIXTURE
At time of going to press, it is not known whether Cartagenas next Div 2b match at home to 14th place, Canary Islands based Fuerteventura, will be on Sat 25 or Sun 26 Apr. For details on this, and more, please phone Steve on 656 579 423, or visit www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.