FC Cartagena 1 - UD Mérida 0. By Steve.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
FC CARTAGENA - 1 UD MERIDA - 0
BY STEVE HIBBERD

Feed the Walrus, and his boys will score!! It happened with the Goat at Manchester City, and again with the Yak at Pompey - now Cartagena are on the map.
Cartagena coach Jose Montes, has installed a winning mentallity into a team, who previously put entertainment before results, pushing them back into 2nd place.
It's almost 2 years since Los Albinegros lost a league match at Cartagonova Stadium. Confidence is high amongst a squad of players who have raised the work rate required to achieve a play off place, in what has proved to be a very competitive division.
Last October at Meridas 15,000 capacity Municipal Stadium, both goalkeepers performed heroics in an entertaining goalless draw. On Sunday, Merida arrived with an excellent away record.

Suspensions are preventing the Walrus from fielding an unchanged side. Orlandos name was missing from the team sheet handed to referee Castillo, although Leo and Chito had served their time, shown as nos 2 and 10 respectively.
CARTAGENA TEAM
CABALLERO, LEO, LUSARRETA, OSCAR, CABREJO, MARIANO, TEO (ELIAS 57), SIVORI, MARCO (LAFUENTE 81), CHITO, SABINO (MOLIST 60)
Merida started the brighter, almost snatching a shock early lead when their captain Diego, hit a searching cross come shot which luckily flew just past the far post. Midway through the 1st half, a delightful cross by Cabrejo was only just put over the bar via the head of Sivori. A fine solo effort by Sabino was well saved by Meridas keeper Vilches. In a half of few chances, Meridas Juan Jesus went close with his snap shot late on.
Half Time - Cartagena - 0 Merida - 0

What a start to the 2nd half!! Merida kicked off. Their striker Juan Jesus put his head down, and went for it, finally running out of steam before getting in a shot at goal. As the ball was played upfield, only a last ditch foul on Sabino halted a promising move. Marco floated his free kick perfectly for Sabino to send a glancing header wide of Vilches despairing dive, with only 1 min 46 secs on the clock.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Although Israel found space to put his shot into the side netting, Merida failed to trouble Cartagenas defence again. The game became scrappy. Not only did 7 players (4 Cartagena and 3 Merida) get booked, but the managers also fell foul of the refs no nonsense approach, receiving cautions themselves. Sivori found himself with half a chance, when his shot on the turn inched agonisingly wide of the upright. Having missed 4 matches whilst holidaying in Asia, I hadn´t been able to experience exactly what a class act our new centre half really is. Oscar is so composed when performing his defensive duties. Alongside Lusarreta, we now have a pairing that are ready made for the next step up (if achieved). In the dying minutes of the game, it was reassuring to watch Cartagena players inviting the opposition to try and get the ball from them, whilst deep inside enemy territory. At last we are starting to kill the game, by using up vital seconds and not going looking for further goals when the game is already won.
Dare I mention the ´F´word? Twelve wins and 2 draws from 14 home matches this season, is pretty impressive - FORTRESS Cartagonova perhaps? Elias, Cabrejo, Marco and Sabino all received the dreaded yellow peril, the latter having reached 5 - consequently being suspended from next weeks match.

LEAGUE DIVISION 2B TOP 6

1. CORDOBA - 57 POINTS
2. CARTAGENA - 53 POINTS
3. SEVILLA B - 52 POINTS
4. PORTUENSE - 49 POINTS
5. MARBELLA - 49 POINTS
6. JAEN - 46 POINTS

FORTHCOMING FIXTURE

Newly promoted Villanovense are Cartagenas next opponents. In virtual freefall, they need a miracle to survive another season in div 2b. Some 17 points from safety, 2nd to bottom, they look like making a quick return to div 3. A physical side in the extreme, when they lost 2-0 at Cartagonova Stadium earlier this season, they have only won twice at home all season. Cartagena visit their Romero Cuerda Stadium for this vital league fixture on Sunday 25 March, ko 5pm.
For further information on FC Cartagena matters, please phone Steve on 656579423.