El duo letal golpea de nuevo. By Steve.

DEADLY DUO STRIKE AGAIN
FC CARTAGENA - 2 CF LUCENA - 1
BY STEVE HIBBERD

Back to back league and cup defeats required a quick fix to avoid a mini catastrophe. Los Albinegros completed, what is commonly known as an exercise in - BOUNCEBACKABILITY!!!
Although in cruise mode for much of the game, Cartagena trailed at half time, before last seasons top scorers, Molist and Sivori, secured a well deserved victory over a hard working Lucena side.
Injuries to Mariano Sanchez, Carmona, Juvenal and Leo, meant a number of enforced changes to recent defeats at Talavera and Pontevedra, including a substitute debut for transfer deadline signing Maureta.

FC Cartagena line-up
Caballero, Ormazabal, Charcos, Curro (Toledo), Orlando, Lusarreta, Cabrejo, Sivori, Molist (Maureta), Lafuente, Borrell (Chito).

Completely against the run of play, Lucena almost capitalised on a defensive mix up, when their livewire striker Adrian rounded keeper Caballero, before shooting into the side netting. Caballero was again called apon to earn his keep, when saving smartly, this time keeping out a well placed long range effort smashed through a crowd of players. At the other end, Cartagenas Borrell came so close to scoring, but his shot was desparately cleared off the line. Disaster struck on 35 mins. An unnecessary push on an opponent inside the penalty area, by the normally reliable Curro, was suitably punished when the resultant penalty kick sent Caballero the wrong way. The small band of away fans went into raptures of delight as their heroes took the lead, which they preserved going into the half time break.
Manager Alcoys half time pep talk probably went along the lines of the Ferguson inspired ´hairdryer´ method, which clearly had a positive effect within minutes of the restart. Full back Ormazabal unleashed a long range shot, struck with some volocity, producing a superb acrobatic save from Lucenas keeper. Shortly after, fellow full back Cabrejo duplicated his team mates effort, with a similar end result. Shots were now raining down on Lucenas goal, Orlando being the next player fancying a pop from way out. It was only a matter of time before Lucenas overworked defence cracked under intense preassure. Sure enough, it was supersub Chito who provided a dream cross for his club captain Sivori, who rose majestically to head the ball powerfully into the net on 72 mins. Just minutes later, Chito again provided a further glorious assist, only this time the low in confidence Toledo blasted his shot way over the bar. Cartagena took the lead on 77 mins, courtesy of a near post snap shot which surprised an unprepared keeper. A great effort by Lafuente which just missed the target, and a brilliant solo run from inside his own half by Ormazabal, were further examples of Cartagenas total dominance during an action packed 2nd half. Curro, Lafuente, Chito and Toledo were all shown yellow cards by referee Gonzalez, who played his part in a free flowing entertaining match.
Attendance - 4,000

PONTEVEDRA - 1 FC CARTAGENA - 0

In front of only 1,500 fans, Pontevedra edged into the 3rd preliminary round of the Copa del Rey, at the expense of fellow div 2b side Cartagena. Once again, Cartagena played the more imaginative and creative football, but failed dismally where it matters most - in front of goal. Playing virtually his full strength team, coach Alcoy must be bitterly dissapointed not to have progressed further in the only cup competition open to Spains senior clubs. It took a 69th min headed goal by Pontevedras Vazquez to settle the tie, but even then Cartagena should still have had a say, when both Sivori and Carmona squandered good goalscoring opportunities late on. Bookings for Toledo and Charcos completed a miserable night for Cartagena, who now only have qualification for the play offs left to play for.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURE

Next Sunday 16 September (ko tbn), Cartagena have another league div 2b match. They are away at the Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium, home of Granada CF.
Please phone Steve on 656579423 for further information.