No hubo goles, pero si mucho drama. By Steve.

NO GOALS BUT DRAMA GALORE
FC CARTAGENA 0 UD PUERTOLLANO 0
BY STEVE HIBBERD

For the 2nd consecutive home match, Cartagena undid all the good work gained from away matches when they could only draw with mid table Puertollano.
Having already beaten Puertollano at their Francisco Sanchez Menor Stadium, a double was expected by the Los Albinegro fans, who this season have not been served with the plentiful home victories, which in previous seasons have been the norm. Manager Pichi Lucas elected to field an attacking formation, starting with 4 front men. Missing from the side was Sivori, who was serving a 1 match ban. Referee Mendez certainly set out his stall, when in only the 3rd min of play he cautioned Cartagena hard man Charcos, who was ironically the only home player to be booked throughout the whole match. Carmona came close to opening the scoring on 22 mins, but his shot went just wide, then team mate Toledo saw his shot well saved by Puertollanos keeper Rojas. After 38 mins, Puertollanos first real chance involved their striker Valdes forcing Caballero to pull of an excellent save. On the stroke of half time, Cartagena did put the ball in the back of the net, but Molists effort was rightly disallowed for offside.

Puertollano started the 2nd half superbly, and were unfortunate when striker Villanueva performed a magnificent overhead kick, which rattled the crossbar and luckily bounced away to safety. Both sides were playing attractive entertaining football, but it was Puertollano who again threatened, this time when Encinas shot wide. It was encouraging to see both sets of fans adding to the electric atmosphere, especially pleasing was Puertollanos noisy set of Castilla La Mancha based fans. All hell broke loose on 73 mins when the referee harshly issued a straight red to a Puertollano defender for a foul. During the ensuing melee, a second red card was shown, this time to Puertollanos no 7 for a few choice words!! Against only 9 men, Cartagena should have made the numbers advantage tell, but their opponents defended stoutly, and indeed could well have scored themselves. With the minutes ticking away, Carmonas long range shot just missed the target, then on 88 minutes, Charcos headed against the crossbar. Although 5 minutes of stoppages were played, Cartagena could not break the deadlock, and must be bitterly disappointed not to have won this match. In addition to the 2 sending offs, Puertollano had another 6 players and manager Hierro booked. This result leaves Cartagena still in 6th place, only 3 points behind the last play off slot.
Attendance 5,500
Cartagena line up
CABALLERO, ORMAZABAL, ALCANTARA, CHARCOS, ORLANDO, MARIANO, CURRO (ROCHA), TOLEDO (KOEMAN), MOLIST, LAFUENTE, CARMONA

FORTHCOMING FIXTURE
On Sunday 6 April ko 5pm, Cartagena have an away div 2b fixture against new leaders Ecija, who have already won at Cartagonova Stadium this season. FC Cartagena have decreed that the remaining 4 home matches this season will be FREE ADMISSION FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN. The remaining 4 matches are as follows:
Sun 13 Apr - Cartagena v Mellila
Sun 20 Apr - Cartagena v Baza
Sun 4 May - Cartagena v Merida
Sun 18 May - Cartagena v Algerciras
For further info, please phone Steve on 656579423.