Villanovense 0 - FC Cartagena 3. By Steve.

SIVORI BASKS IN GLORY
CF VILLANOVENSE - 0 FC CARTGENA - 3
BY STEVE HIBBERD

Captain fantastic, Basque striker Arturo Sivori, showed the genious side of his enigmatic persona, as Cartagena annihilated Villanovense.
This was Los Albinegros biggest away win since January 1999, which not only ensured retention of 2nd position, but more importantly, increases the gap over 5th place Jaen to 7 points.
Villanovense face an almost impossible task of staying up. Some 17 points adrift of safety, with only 9 games remaining, they look dead and buried. They adopt a ´take no prisoners´approach to their play - not dissimilar to that of Blackburn Rovers, who have muscled their way to success under the guidance of ex hatchet man, Mark Hughes (although in all fairness to Blackburn, they do at least score some cracking goals, having intimidated their opposition into surrender!). When they last visited Cartagonova Stadium, Villanovense were fortunate to finish the game with 10 men, having lost the game 2-0, but this time around they finished with only 9 men at the Romero Cuerda Stadium. Once again, Lennon and Mccartneys favourite character, the Walrus, was forced to make a change to his starting line up. In came top scorer Xavi Molist, replacing the suspended Sabino, although playmaker Orlando was recalled to the side having served his one match ban, at the expense of Marco.
CARTAGENA TEAM
CABALLERO, LEO, LUSARRETA (ELIAS 71), OSCAR RODRIGUEZ, CABREJO, ORLANDO, MARIANO SANCHEZ, LAFUENTE, SIVORI (MARCO 59), MOLIST, CHITO (OSCAR RICO 76)
Straight from kick off, Cartagena made their intentions clear. A crossfield ball found Sivori wide on the right wing. Full of condidence, the experienced striker ran at the home defence before planting a low drive into the far corner of the net, without an opponent having touched the ball. TWENTY NINE SECONDS had elapsed - get in there!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

One way traffic ensued, as Cartagena took the game to their hosts. After 8 mins, Lafuente shot just wide following good work by the hard working Molist. Midway through the half, Villanovense created their first serious threat, although the shot flew harmlessly wide. From an inswing corner, Oscar rose majestically, his strong goalbound header forced an acrobatic save from an alert keeper. Lafuente was playing a blinder, receiving horrendous treatment from an outplayed Villanovense defence. Unfortunately for Ochoa, his x-rated 2 footed lunge on the diminutive winger was rightly deemed to be classed as violent conduct. The resulting red card, just before the interval, made the home sides task even more difficult.
Half time: Villanovense - 0 Cartagena - 1
Cartagena went for the jugular - like a bat out of hell! Intense pressure proved too much for the 10 men, who succumbed after 57 mins. Keeper Patas nerves were on wits end, as in the previous 5 mins he had saved shots from Orlando, Lafuente and then Chito. This time it was the dynamic duo combination of Molist and Sivori which proved decisive, when a well crafted move produced a simple side footed tap in by 'El Capitan'.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Chance after chance was being created by the marauding Cartageneristas. Poor Pata looked close to a nervous breakdown, as Molist and Chito let fly with goalbound shots, keeping him on his toes. When Wellington limped off the park after 84 mins, all 3 subs had been used. Down to 9 men, Villanovense were instantly punished. Substitute Oscar Rico hit a rasping long drive, which although Pata did well to parry, it fell invitingly to Molist who smashed it home.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Lusarreta picked up a booking (4th of the season), but that was the only blemish of the day for Cartagena.
DIV 2B TOP 6 PLACES
1. CORDOBA - 60 POINTS
2. CARTAGENA - 56 POINTS
3. SEVILLA ´B´ - 55 POINTS
4. PORTUENSE - 52 POINTS
5. JAEN - 49 POINTS
6. MARBELLA - 49 POINTS

FORTHCOMING FIXTURE

It may be the month of ides of March, and Sat 31 March is also revenge day at Cartagonova Stadium. Back in November, Cartagena narrowly lost 3-2 at the Municiple Stadium in the Costa Del Sol, putting Marbella in the divisions pole position. Of late though, Marbella have experienced eratic form, demonstrated when they lost at home to play off rivals Jaen last week. Having said that, they have an impressive away record - won 7, drawn 5 and only lost 3 this season. Will Cartagonova Stadium remain a Fortress? Will Sabino, Molist and Sivori supply the Walrus with his weekly diet of goals? Will Pompey wiln at Fulham just beforehand, thus making my journey down the AP7 much more enjoyable? All this, and much more, will be revealed on Saturday at Cartagonova Stadium. Be there or be square!!
Interested in supporting Cartagena? Please phone Steve on 656579423.

SATURDAY 31 MARCH

KO 6.30 PM

FC CARTAGENA

v

UD MARBELLA

CARTAGONOVA STADIUM

LEAGUE DIVISION 2B