El Cartagena continúa la racha. By Steve.

CARTAGENA ENJOY CONTINUED SUCCESS
BY STEVE HIBBERD

New look Cartagena continue to shine under new manager Fabri Gonzalez. It is now 4 pre-season matches unbeaten, as they reach the half way stage of warm up matches, before the new season in div 2b gp 2 kicks off at the end of August.

CD Pozo Estrecho - 0 FC Cartagena - 5
It took Cartagena only 20 mins to get on the scoresheet against newly promoted 3rd division side Pozo Estrecho. New striker Juan Pablo got the goal, then added another, only 9 mins later. When Toledo scored the 3rd on 36 mins, Cartagena were completely dominating the game. With numerous 2nd half substitutions on display, the pace of the game was considerably slower than an extremely busy 1st half. Substitutes Mantecon and Koeman scored late 2nd half goals to wrap up another useful run out.

FC Cartagena - 1 Real Murcia - 1 (4-3 after penalties)
Although still a friendly (if such a thing exists between these 2 arch rivals!), this match was billed as the region of Murcia trophy. Sponsored by Spanish TV Channel 7, this was only the 3rd time the trophy had been competed for (Cartagena being the current holders). Both sides played attractive football in the 1st half, when front man Mena twice came close to opening the scoring for Cartagena. Although the 1st half was void of goals, the 2nd half came alive after only 8 mins, when div 2a side Real Murcia took the lead, courtesy of a far post header from a corner. Just after the hour mark, Cartagena equalized, and what a beauty it was. Twas that man Juan Pablo again (on as a 2nd half substitute), who headed a long range free kick powerfully past a shell shocked keeper, taking his tally to 4 goals in as many matches. The remainder of the game was end to end stuff, although neither side could break the deadlock.

With extra time scheduled, the match then entered a penalty shoot out stage. Earlier in the day, I had witnessed a similar situation in the Community Shield (whatever happened to the Charity bit?), when Manchester United clinicaly beat an out of salts Pompey side 3-1 on penalties, after a goalless 90 mins (why didn´t Crouch take one?). But, unlike Pompey, Cartagena players didn´t succumb to shoot out nerves. Juan Pablo, Cabrejo, Leo and Viyuela all converted their spot kicks, whilst Liverpool loanee Miki Roque, saw his effort well saved. New keeper Castilla became Cartagenas latest hero, when he pulled off 2 top drawer saves, thus denying Real Murcias 4th and 5th penalty takers.
Attendance - 2,500
Forthcoming Friendlies
The remaining friendlies for FC Cartagena are as follows;
Sat 16 Aug v Hercules (H) ko 8pm
Weds 20 Aug v Ontinyent (A)
Sat 23 Aug v Cieza (A)
Regular FC Cartagena updates are available on the official website www.futbolclubcartagena.com or supporters club website www.gotocarto.com or by phoning Steve on 656579423.