La victoria en copa deja buen sabor de boca. By Steve.

CUP VICTORY TASTES GOOD
GRANADA ATHLETIC - 0 FC CARTAGENA - 1
BY STEVE HIBBERD

A 66th min penalty scored by Juvenal, was enough to take Cartagena through to the next round of the Copa del Rey.
Fielding a side showing SEVEN changes from the win over Jaen, manager Fran Alcoy either treated 3rd div Granada lightly, or else the Spanish equivilant of the FA Cup was low on his list of priorities.
FC Cartagena line-up
ALEJANDRO (CABALLERO 89), ORMAZABAL, CHARCOS, ORLANDO, ALCANTARA, CURRO (SIVORI 63), MARIANO, JUVENAL, CHITO (LAFUENTE 71), CARMONA, TOLEDO
The 1st half belonged entirely to Granada who could easily have been 3-0 ahead inside 30 mins. As early as the 3rd min, Cartagenas 2nd choice keeper Alejandro pulled off an excellent save from a goalbound header by Ruben. Further saves in quick succession by the promising Alejandro, ensured that Los Albinegros left the field at half time on level pegging.
Having been overlooked for the opening league match, Chito used the 2nd half as a timely reminder to his manager that he could do a lot worse than include the experienced midfielder in his side. He mesmerized Granadas defence during a spellbinding solo run which was only halted by a brave save at his feet from Granadas agile keeper. Not to be outdone, Chito embarked on a further sortie into enemy territory, only this time his advace was halted unfairly inside the penalty area. Juvenals penalty was confidently struck, sending the keeper the wrong way, putting Cartagena in the driving seat. The remaining 24 mins belonged to the home side, but Cartagenas rearguard held firm, resulting in a safe passage into the next round. Round 2 has paired Cartagena with recently relegated div 2b side Pontevedra. Their 1-5 win at Alcala was rewarded with a home tie against Cartagena on Weds 5 Sep, ko 9pm.
TALAVERA - 2 FC CARTAGENA - 1

Unfortunately, Cartagenas winning run came to an end last Sunday at Talavera in a div 2b fixture. Fielding almost the same side as the previous league game (the only exception being Carmona in for unfit Borrell), Cartagena gave away 2 early goals through Balduino on 9 mins and Lafuerza on 21 mins. Although they had a much better 2nd half, a 75th min goal from Xavi Molist was all they had to show for their efforts, and eventually lost the game 2-1. Bookings for Leo, Juvenal, Molist and once again Charcos, rubbed salt into the wound. In front of 1,300 fans inside El Prado stadium, Cartagena looked impressive, but paid the price for conceding 2 early soft goals.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURE
Next Sunday 9 September, ko 8pm, Cartagena are at home to new boys Lucena. Lucena beat Mellia last Sunday, and currently sit 4th in the table with 4 points from their 2 games played. So, next weeks game at Cartagonova Stadium promises to be a humdinger, as Cartagena try to get back to winning ways.
For further information, please phone Steve on 656579423.