FC Cartagena 2 - AD Ceuta 1. By Steve.

SO NEAR YET SO FAR
FC CARTAGENA - 2 AD CEUTA - 1
BY STEVE HIBBERD

This wasn´t how it was meant to end. Can we start again please, but this time with a happy ending?
Goals by Sivori and Carmaona earned Cartagena a hollow victory over North African side Ceuta. The resulting 3 pointsl left them only 1 win behind 4th place Cordoba, who lost their final day fixture against fellow play off qualifiers, Portuense. One consolation is that by finishing 5th, although missing out of the play offs, Cartagena have gained entry into next seasons Copa Del Rey (Spanish FA Cup). Unfortunately for Ceuta, this defeat left them without the luxury of a potential cup run, as they slipped to a final league position of 11th. Cartagena caretaker manager, Fran Alcoy, gave a first ever start to Marcos Guill, who up to last Saturday, had played a total of only 9 mins football all season (the words key and don come to mind!!).
FC CARTAGENA TEAM
CABRERO, LEO, CABREJO, OSCAR, ORLANDO, MARIANO SANCHEZ, CARMONA (TEO), SIVORI, MOLIST, MARCOS GUILL (ELIAS 70), LAFUENTE (OSCAR RICO 90)
As a thankyou to their loyal fans, Cartagena made this game free entrance to everyone. Not much happened during the opening 10 mins play, the only noteworthy incident being a crunching tackle from behind, which earned oscar a booking. Play was mainly inside Ceutas half of the field, no surprise then, when Cartagena scored the opening goal on 28 mins. A wonderful run and cross from the right by Carmona, fell perfectly to Sivori, who hammered home a shot on the turn.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Three mins later, ´Banana Boots´ Carmona, again featured in the action, only this time it was for receiving the games 2nd booking. Carmona was becoming hot stuff. Cabrejo floated over a delightful cross onto the head of an eager Carmona, who gave a shell shocked keeper no chance, as Cartagena doubled their lead on 34 mins.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
All of a sudden it seemed to be raining goals. It took a spectacular diving heder by Javi Navarro to open the scoring for Ceuta, the 3rd goal in only 10 mins play.
Half Time; Cartagena - 2 Ceuta - 1

An audacious lob by Carmona had us all off our seats, but alas his great effort hit the crossbar. Back came Ceuta, requiring Cabrero to be at his best as he pushed Javi Navarros long range drive over the crossbar. Top goalscorer Molist (16 goals) Uncharacteristically picked up only his 3rd booking of the season, as his 2 footed lunge could well have earned him his first sending off. Mariano Sanchez has only missed 5 games all season (4 of them through suspension), and was sorely missed at Extremadura the previous week. He looked likely to add to his goal tally of 4, but his great effort on goal once again rattled the wookwork. From fully 40 yards, full back Cabrejo attemped to chip the keeper, who breathed a sigh of relief as the ball landed on top of his netting. Victim of the earlier x-rated foul by Molist, Victor Via finally got his revenge. His full blooded thrust caused Molist to receive treatment, whilst VV was receiving the games final yellow card. All that remained was for Mariano Sanchez to head just past the post, before referee Garcia brought to a close the final league game of a disappointing season.

Congratulations go out to fellow Murcian side Maxarron, who have reached the play offs in div 3. If successful in their quest for promotion to div 2b, they will form a foursome of Murcian based teams. Relegated Lorca, will next season join Aguilas, and of course Cartagena in a division which is largely dominated by sides from the Andalucia and Extremadura regions. Next week, all Cartagenas results plus end of season league table and any updates from the club.