De un golpe el Cartagena vuelve a la tierra. By Steve.

BACK TO EARTH WITH A BUMP
FC CARTAGENA - 0 ECIJA BALOMPIE - 2
BY STEVE HIBBERD

A lacklustre display was suitably finished by div 2b leaders Ecida, as Cartagena tumbled to their 3rd home defeat of the season. It was a case of after the Lord Mayors Show, following 3 consequetive victories, this defeat has once again placed pressure on manager Alcoy. Only one change was made to the previous weeks win at Puertollono, Mariano returning for the injured Lusarreta.

FC Cartegena Line-up

ALEJANDRO, ORMAZABAL, MAURETA, ORLANDO, CABREJO, JUVENAL,(CURRO) MARIANO, CARMONA (CHITO), LAFUENTE, MOLIST, TOLEDO (SIVORI).

Both sides started this game cautiously but in the 27th min Cabrejo did well to clear a dangerous effort from Notito off the line, to prevent Ecija from taking the lead.

Other 1st half highlights included a good effort by Molist which agonisingly inched over the crossbar on 37 mins, then 5 mins later fellow striker Toledo mirrored his shot. Although very restrained in the 1st half, referee Fuentes chose to caution 7 players throughout the game - Ormazabol and Maureta, plus 5 from Edija. Cartagenas best chance of the game arrived when toldeo failed to connect with a far past cross by Molist, with the goal at his mercy. Another fine effort saw Carmona curl a free kick just wide of the near post. But it was Ecija who took the lead with a goal out of nothing. Man of the match Nolito looked to be causing no danger out near the touchline, but his 30 yard wonder drive powered it's way into the back of the net leaving Alejandro flapping at fresh air. Although substitute Chilo forced a fine save from his rasping shot, Cartagena never looked menacing in front of goal. The final word was left to that man Nolito. Impressive throughout the mach, he picked up a loose ball just outside Cartagenas 18 yard box, and nonchanently lobbed Alejandro to give Ecija a probably deserved 2 goal victory. This defeat drops Cartagena down the divisions pecking order to 7th place, in what appears to be a very open division, where most teams are beating each other.
Next week Cartagena make their 2nd trip of the season to North Africa when they visit Melilla. Sunday 25th November, ko 5pm is when Los Albinegros hope to quickly bounce back against a side equal on points with themselves, and who have yet to lose at home.