FC Cartagena 2 - Melilla 1. By Steve.

CHITO TO THE RESCUE
FC CARTAGENA - 2 UD MELILLA - 1
BY STEVE HIBBERD

Midfield maestro, super sub Fernando Chito, not only scored the winning goal, but his influence on the game was once again immense.
Melilla arrived from the Morocco mainland on the back of decent current form, having started the season indifferently. Due to an enforced switch from div 2b gp iv to gp i for a season, it has been 2 yrs since they last played at Cartagonova Stadium, when goals by Conget and Nacho secured a 2-1 victory for the home side. Last Sunday afternoon, both teams lined up to applause from a disappointingly poor crowd. Failure to clinch promotion via last seasons play offs, seems to have disillusioned thousands, as unfortunately, fans are fickle and demand success. On a positive note, more and more ex pat supporters are attending matches - enjoying what they see, and coming back regularly, as Los Albinegros maintain their unbeaten home record.
Manager Amaral was forced into making changes, following last weeks defeat at Marbella. Failure to overturn their recent red cards, meant a day off for Sivori and Sabino, as they served a one match ban. Welcome back Orlando, whose absence through injury has been sorely missed, and Teo.
CARTAGENA LINE UP
CABALLERO, RIVAS, LUSARRETA, CABREJO (CHITO 34), ORLANDO, MARIANO, ELIAS, TEO, MOLIST, LAFUENTE (ROBERTO 84), CARMONA (GALDOS 70)
The games first chance arrived when an inspired solo run, was finished by a firm shot by Elias, which was well saved inside 2 mins. A minute later, Molist connected perfectly with Cabrejos cross, but again keeper Tudela was on hand to foil Cartagenas top scorer. Teo then provided Carmona with an opportunity to open his sides account, but his effort was cleared off the line. When Molists powerful 15 yard drive hit the post after only 7mins, Melilla must have wondered exactly what had hit them!! Los Albinegros were playing well, creating many chances, an example being when Lusarreta headed inches wide from an inswinging corner. Cartagenas players were becoming frustrated at failing to score, which probably contributed to the much misunderstood Mariano "why does it always rain on me?" Sanchez, questioning arbitro Martinezs interpretation of a free kick against his team, earning him his 4th yellow of the season (only 4 - are you sure?). Lafuente was having a stormer. In quick succession, he first rounded the keeper, only to be given offside, then his 20 yarder flew agonisingly wide of the post. Good news and bad news. Chito came on to alter the course of the game, but as he entered the fray, full back Cabrejo limped off, suffering from a pulled muscle, which could sideline him for a number of weeks.
Half time: Cartagena - 0 Melilla - 0
Although Cartagena almost took the lead shortly after the restart through Teo, it was Melilla who launched a counter attack, hitting the crossbar after 50 mins. First blood went to the home side though, two mins later. Xavi Molist is hot stuff this season, scoring vital goals for this club, and his 8th goal in only 12 games was a beauty. Another scintillating piledriver from the edge of the penalty area, left keeper Tudela with only 2 hopes - and one of them was Bob!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
On his first game for 6 weeks, Orlando picked up his 1st booking of the season for an innocuous foul. From the free kick, Caballero looked decidedly jittery as he fumbled the ball, almost conceding a goal. Having failed with an earlier 20 yard free kick, which just missed the target, that man Chito came good on 80 mins, when from the same distance, his screamer found the back of the net.
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That should have been that. But with 5 mins remaining, Rivas stupidly showed dissent to the match officials, disputing whether the ball was in play or not. Having already been booked only 10 mins earlier, he looked on aghast as a further yellow, then red card, left Cartagena to play out the final few minutes with only 10 men. Melilla took full advantage of the vulnerable defence facing them. In the 2nd min of stoppage time, a cross from the left wing resulted in the normally reliable Lusarreta losing his bearings and inadvertantly steering the ball into his own net - what a bloomer, DOH!!
Attendance: 2,000
These 3 points pushed Cartagena up to 3rd place in the table, only 1 point behind leaders Sevilla 'B' and Marbella. Only 6 points separate 1st and 13th positions, in a division that is a lot more competitive than last season, but one in which a play off target is very much a realistic proposition.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
This coming Sunday 19 November, ko 5pm, Cartagena travel to 4th place Cordoba, hoping they can emulate last seasons hard fought 2-1 victory at the Nuevo Arcangel Stadium. Then on Sunday 26 November, Cartagena play host to pace setters Sevilla 'B', who have only lost once on their travels so far this season.