La misma vieja historia. By Steve.

SAME OLD STORY
FC CARTAGENA 3 MERIDA UD 3
BY STEVE HIBBERD

Failure to win at home for many a week, has cost Cartagena not only a place in the end of season play offs, but also next seasons Spanish Cup qualification is now in doubt.
Unfortunately, the home side put in possibly their best performance of the season against a strong 4th place Merida side, who included ex Cartagena striker Sabino within their ranks, and did not deserve to suffer such a sickening defeat. Cartagena knew that they were drinking in the last chance saloon, where a win was a must if their play off dreams were to be fulfilled. Manager Pichi Lucas restored Orlando into the side, as Lusarreta was sidelined with an injury.

The game kicked off at a frantic pace, with Los Albinegros dominating proceedings. Early chances fell to Carmona, before a speculative 30 yard drive by Rocha, took a wicked deflection before wrong footing Meridas keeper to put Cartagena ahead on 11 minutes. Four minutes later, it was Carmonas turn to try his luck with a long range shot, with identical results. Only 15 minutes had been played and Cartagena were 2 up and cruising. Alas, as has happened so often this season, the opposition pulled a goal back. On 44 minutes, Meridas man of the match Ruben shot from the edge of the penalty area underneath the diving body of Alejandro into the net.

It wasnt long before Merida equalised, once again it was that man Ruben, only this time it was via his head. With only 13 minutes remaining, Cartagena were handed a lifeline when Carmona converted a penalty awarded for handball. Unfortunately, the lead was short lived, for Merida were later to be awarded a penalty of their own, when Charcos was deemed to have fouled an opponent in full flight. Charcos was duly shown his 2nd yellow card, then the obligitory red, before Luciano confidently dispatched the spot kick, to give Merida a share of the spoils. In his first full season with the club, Charcos has been a total liability - words cannot describe my utter contempt for a player who is void of any grey matter! In a game of many cards, referee Munoz (who incidently wasn´t helped by 2 very ineficient linesmen) also booked Cartagenas Carmona, Sivori and Rocha, plus Ruben, Lupidio, Zafra and Granada of Merida.
This result leaves Cartagena in 8th position, still 5 points behind the last play off slot. Pichi Lucas role as manager is very much on the line, and I have no doubt that he will not be here next season (or next week come to that!).
Attendance - 3,000
FC CARTAGENA LINE UP
ALEJANDRO, ORMAZABAL, CABREJO (BENITEZ), CHARCOS, ORLANDO, MARIANO, CARMONA, SIVORI, TOLEDO, ROCHA (LAFUENTE), CURRO (MOLIST)
Next week, Cartagena visit lowly Alcala on Sun 11 May ko 6pm, for their last away div 2b game of the season. Alcala are currently 3rd to bottom, desparate for points to avoid the dreaded drop to div 3.