El Cartagena pone fin a su triste racha. By Steve.

CARTAGENA END AWAY DAY BLUES
AD CEUTA - 0 FC CARTAGENA - 2
BY STEVE HIBBERD

A well deserved win in North Africa enabled Los Albinegros to return home with 3 points for the first time since last March.
Under pressure manager Alcoy, knew that he was rapidly running out of time, needing a win to save his job (at least for another week!). It was 5 long weeks since Cartagena last tasted victory, when an emphatic win over Lorca looked to be a springboard for further success, but an alarming dip in form prevented this from going to plan. Alcoy needed a trip to 3rd place Ceuta, proudly boasting a 100 percent home record, like a hole in the head! His decision to make sweeping changes from last weeks humiliating defeat could have spelt total disaster, but thankfully his gamble paid off. Out went Juvenal, Orlando, Chito and club captain Sivori, to be replaced by Lusarreta, Lafuente, Curro and Toledo. Suspended goalkeeper Caballero was replaced between the sticks by 2nd choice Alejandro.
Cartagena line-up
ALEJANDRO, ORMAZABAL, LUSARRETA, CHARCOS, CURRO, MARIANO, CABREJO (ALCANTARA), CARMONA, MOLIST (SIVORI), LAFUENTE, TOLEDO (JUVENAL)

Cartagenas last 2 visits to Ceutas Alfonso Marube Stadium resulted in tight goalless encounters, so early stalemate was not totally unexpected. Although Mariano was unlucky not to score with a great header inside the 1st min, it wasn´t until the 29th min before either side created a further goal scoring opportunity. When it arrived it was worth waiting for. An inch perfect cross from the right found the head of central defender Lusarreta. His powerful, accurate header rocketed into the back of the net, giving his team a 1st half lead, which they comfortably protected until the half time break.
Ceuta started the 2nd half buzzing. They peppered their opponents goal with shots from all directions and distances, keeping Alejandro on his toes. Twice within a minute, Alejandro pulled off top drawer saves from first Alberto, then Navarro, as it appeared only a matter of time before Ceuta equalized. On the hour mark, it looked certain that the moment had arrived, but Ceutas midfielder Tato, somehow contrived to make a complete hash of a bread and butter conversion, with the goal at his mercy. As Cartagena have found to their cost on so many occasions, if you don´t take your chances, don´t be surprised if you get punished. So, when Lafuente linked up well with Carmona, it was satisfying to record that the pint sized wizard eased his shot just inside the far post, thus sealing a much needed victory, with his 2nd goal of the season.
Attendance 1,500

FORTHCOMING FIXTURE
Next Sun 4 Nov, ko 5pm, Cartagena entertain Linares at Cartagonova Stadium. Top of the table Linares just missed promotion last season, losing in the play offs, recording a smash and grab victory at Cartagena in the process. Cartagena owe Linares for that defeat, from which their own play off aspirations never recovered, costing manager Jose ´the walrus´ Montes his job. Defeat in this game is unthinkable if Alcoy cherishes his own position, for the gap of 6 points between the 2 sides needs to be reduced pronto, or he will be counting handkerchiefs and not sheep to send him to sleep!! Sky Blue Fred will in the hot seat for this game, whilst I will be in Englands North East, having cheered on Hampshires only Premiership side to hopefully another good result.

SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER KO 5PM

LEAGUE DIVISION 2B

FC CARTAGENA

V

LINARES

CARTAGONOVA STADIUM