El Cartagena saca de la carrera al R. Portuense. By Steve.

CARTAGENA SEND RACING OFF THE TRACKS
FC CARTAGENA - 1 RACING PORTUENSE - 0
BY STEVE HIBBERD

An entertaining match at Cartagonova Stadium last Sunday, saw Los Albinegros record the latest in a hat trick of victories. For the 3rd week running, the boys in black and white met a relegation haunted side, but once again, it was a hard fought battle. This win catapult's Cartagena into 7th place on 40 points, only 5 points behind 4th place Merida, and 8 points behind leaders Ecija.
The game set off at a cracking pace, with both sides making their intentions clear. Early on, Racing had a well struck free kick blocked, but the opening 20 mins otherwise belonged to Cartagena. Toledo and Lafuente twice, tested the opponents rearguard resilience, but the away side held firm. Viyuela of Racing, should have done better when faced with a 1 on 1 with keeper Caballero, but he wasted the opportunity. Man of the match Lafuente was buzzing, being instrumental in most of Cartagenas attacking play. Benitez, Molist and Toledo, all had good attempts on goal, but just before the half time interval, it was Racing who almost scored following a firm low cross which was eventually scrambled to safety.

Cartagena started the 2nd half brightly, with Molist and sub Carmona testing Racing keeper Wilfred. Then on the hour mark, the home side broke the deadlock. A well taken corner by Carmona was headed into the path of Mariano, who coolly tapped the ball home. Shortly afterwards, Molist blasted a 25 yarder, forcing a punched clearance from Wilfred. With time running out for them, Racing launched a final assault, resulting in their no 9 (Viyuela) heading a cross just wide of the post. Referee Ortiz Blanco handled the game well, allowing play to flow with minimum fuss. Even so, he still found time to book Charcos, Mariano, Carmona and Juvenal, plus Oscar and Herrero of Racing. Season ticket holders Mark and Jean Billings provided me with comprehensive match details, as I was in Liverpool watching Pompey at Goodison Park (but we won't talk about that!!).
FC CARTAGENA LINE-UP
CABALLERO, ORMAZABAL, CURRO, CHARCOS (JUVENAL), ORLANDO, MARIANO, CABREJO, TOLEDO (KOEMAN), MOLIST, LAFUENTE, BENITEZ (CARMONA)
Attendance - 3,500
FORTHCOMING FIXTURE
On Sunday 9 March ko 12pm, Cartagena travel to Seville for a div 2b match against Real Betis 'B'. Betis have already won at Cartagonova Stadium this season, and currently sit just above Cartagena in 6th place on 42 points.