La afición en pie de guerra. By Steve.

THE FANS ARE REVOLTING
FC CARTAGENA - 1 REAL BETIS ´B´ - 2
BY STEVE HIBBERD

For the 2nd consequtive home match, Cartagena crumbled in front of their angry fans, who once again brought out white handkerchiefs as patience is now wafer thin.
Manager Alcoy has publicly appealed for more understanding from the Los Albinegros faithful, but after this comical display, it is hard to see how his request can be granted. Statistics don´t lie, and only 1 point gained from a possible 12 is surely relegation form. Compare this to 7 points from the first 9 on offer, and you wonder exactly where it has all gone wrong. It´s easy to blame the match officials, who once again made some very strange decisions (especially the 2 linesmen). Ultimately, it´s the players who determine whether the points are gained or lost, with confidence in all departments appearing to be at an all time low. But it´s the management team which must live and die by the sword - motivate your players to form a successful team, or make way for someone else who can (it´s as simple as that!). Real Betis arrived at Cartagonova Stadium having gained only a solitary point from their 4 away games this season, but a 100 percent home record helped place them 5th in the table. Alcoy meanwhile took charge of a team desperately needing a confidence winning boost to win back the many stay away fans. He was afforded the luxury of fielding almost a full strength side, the exception being wing man Lafuente, victim of a lingering injury.

FC Cartagena line up
CABALLERO, ORMAZABAL, ORLANDO, CHARCOS (TOLEDO), CABREJO, JUVENAL, MARIANO, CARMONA, SIVORI (BORRELL), CHITO (ALEJANDRO), MOLIST
It became apparent early on that Real Betis had made the long journey from Seville with one objective in mind - to win. As early as the 5th min, Cartagenas giant keeper Caballero saved well with his legs, from Betis danger man Canamero. Betis almost scored on 17 mins following a fumble by Caballero, but the ball edged the wrong side of the post. Cartagena were playing good football, but lacked the amunition required to test the oppositions keeper. Chitos curling shot took a deflection before evading the upright, signalling an assault apon the Betis goalmouth. A speculative cross cum shot by Carmona on the half hour mark scraped the crossbar. Further forays into Betis final 3rd were cut short, as Sivori was time and time again penalised for straying into an offside position (it´s not rocket science Sivo!!).

The first incident of note in the 2nd half saw Betis take the lead. An almighty defensive mix up involving Orlando and Charcos, resulted in Diego given a free run at goal. Having rounded Caballero, he had his legs taken from him by a panic stricken goalkeeper, who not only conceded a penalty, but was correctly sent off for the offence. Substitute keeper Alejandros first touch was to retrieve the ball from the back of the net, following full back Tonis well taken spot kick. Mariano shot just wide, before substitute Toledo almost capped a great run and shot with a goal, but his effort was well blocked on the line. Completely against the run of play, Betis doubled their lead. This was Monty Python and Fawlty Towers rolled into one - a classic comedy moment. There appeared no danger when keeper Alejandro and Ormazabal debated on who should take control of the loose ball at their feet, instead their chronic indecision proved fatal as Canamero nipped in between the pair of jokers, leaving them sick as a parrot (a dead one at that!), whilst he calmly stroked home the ball into an empty net. Out came the hankies, and I didn´t know whether to laugh or cry! Toledo, who was having his best game for his club, again came so close to scoring as
Cartagena to their credit continued to make a game of it. With 15 mins remaining, a blatent push on Molist was punished by a penalty, which Juvenal dispatched with ease to reduce the deficit. Constant Cartagena pressure should have been rewarded when Molist was adjudged to be offside when through on goal. High drama in stoppage time. Firstly, Betis no 9 (Diego) picked up his 2nd yellow for a mistimed tackle and was dismissed, then unbelievably, Ormazabal had a cast iron penalty appeal rejected by the referee who chose instead to book him for diving (sorry arbitro Garcia Moreno, but I think that you bottled that one!!). After a whopping 7 mins of stoppage time, the final whistle blew as Cartagenas dejected players left the field to a chorus of boos.
Forthcoming Fixture
Sunday 28 October, ko 5pm, and it´s a visit to Northern Africa, when once again Cartagena visit the Spanish enclave of 3rd place Ceuta, for another div 2b match.