La vuelta de los pañuelos blancos. By Steve.

RETURN OF THE WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS
FC CARTAGENA - 0 UD MARBELLA - 1
BY STEVE HIBBERD

FC Cartagena put in their worst home performance for 3 seasons, signalling a typical Spanish mass fan demonstration, involving the waving of hankies, and anything else that came to hand!
Prior to their visit to Cartagonova Stadium, Marbella had gained a single point all season, placing them firmly at the bottom of div 2b. Cartagena meanwhile, were still reeling from the away defeat to Mazarron, amid strong words from club president Paco Gomez, after allegations that his players had been partying on the eve of the local derby. Coincidently, the last time Cartagena fans saw fit to show their displeasure, was when a certain senor Alcoy was in charge of team affairs, begging the question if fan power will again result in his dismissal? (don´t bet against it!!).
Alcoy gave Chito a rare start, in place of suspended Carmona, and once again preferred Curro to start a home match, relegating Lusarreta to the bench.

FC CARTAGENA LINE UP
CABALLERO, ORMAZABAL, ORLANDO, CHARCOS, CABREJO (ALCANTARA 80), CURRO (JUVENAL 53), MARIANO, LAFUENTE, SIVORI, CHITO (JUVENAL 53) MARIANO, LAFUENTE, SIVORI, CHITO (TOLEDO 58), MOLIST
Referee Munuera gave a clear indication of how he intended to officiate this match, when he cautioned Orlando and Marbellas no 7 within the first 5 mins. The 1st half was such a drab affair, as both sides lacked any inventive play. Halfway through the half Sivori was ruled offside when faced with only the keeper to beat, but good refereeing saw Marbellas no 6 booked for an earlier infringement during the build up. Into stoppage time, Sivori this time beat the offside trap, but his threatening run was crudely halted by Marbellas ex Mar Menor midfielder, Lolo. There appeared to be defenders covering at the back, but the ref chose to produce a straight red card, giving Cartagena a numerical advantage for the 2nd half.

The away side started the 2nd half brightly, forcing a desperate double save by Caballero then Ormazabal, to prevent a certain goal. Frustration was creeping into Cartagenas play, and when Charcos became their 2nd player to see yellow, they had completely lost their shape. Marbellas goal arrived after 71 mins, following a great determined run by man of the match Sosa. His through ball appeared to reach a player in an offside position, who in turn found goalscorer Dani, also offside. As Marbella players celebrated their moment of fortune, I stared in disbelief at the incompetence of the linesman who was hopelessly out of position, guilty of the proverbial ´ball watching´. Cartagena rallied, but to no avail. Sivori blazed over the bar (as Sivo does!!), before a Marbella sub brought a good save out of Caballero. With the minutes ticking away, Molist wasted a great opportunity, when he failed to test Marbellas keeper following Sivoris assist. Ormazabal became Cartagenas 3rd booking, but when sub Alcantara saw red for stupidly lashing out in an off the ball incident during stoppage time, it was time for Cartagenas success starved fans to exercise their rights, as chants of ´Alcoy resign´, went ringing around the ground.
Attendance 2,000
FORTHCOMING FIXTURE
Next up for Cartagena is an away trip to Portuense on Sun 14 Oct ko 7pm. Portuense now occupy the divisions basement slot, whilst their opponents have slipped to 11th. This match could prove to be the last chance saloon for under pressure manager Alcoy, who recently lost his assistant Pedro Arango, after his controversial sacking last week.