Carmona rescata un punto para el Cartagena. By Steve.

CARMONA RESCUES POINT FOR CARTAGENA
FC CARTAGENA - 1 UD VECINDARIO - 1
BY STEVE HIBBERD

When referee Ferrer blew the final whistle on this exciting div 2b encounter between 2nd place Cartagena and mid table Vecindario, there were only 19 players remaining on the pitch, and I lost count of how many had been cautioned. This was a grudge match. For it was Vecindario who undeservedly robbed Cartagena a place in div 2a, when they knocked them out of the play offs some 3 seasons ago.
An injury to Miki Roque meant that manager Paco Jemez had to reshuffle his side around, as he looked to preserve Cartagenas unbeaten home record, and in the process, gain much needed points to challenge Leganes for the top spot.
Disaster struck as early as the 13th min, when centre back Armando was given a straight red card for the illegal use of his elbow (his 2nd dismissal of the season). There were fierce appeals for a penalty on 18 mins when Tato appeared to be brought down, but play was allowed to continue. Juan Pablos fierce drive on the half hour mark was superbly saved by Vecindario keeper Ortega. A min later, the away side took the lead. Following a well worked move down the right wing, the ball was pulled back to Joni who slammed the ball into the back of the net. Towards the end of the 1st half, both Tato and Carmona saw their long range effort clear the crossbar.

Numbers reached parity on 50 mins, when Vecindarios Azpilcueta was given a 2nd yellow card. This spurred Cartagena on to all out attack, and when on 61 mins Nano curled a delightful shot just over the crossbar, it was a sign of things to come. Two mins later, a wonderful crossfield ball by Falcon picked out Carmona, who beat the offside trap, then planted an unstoppable drive past a helpless Ortega. Shortly afterwards, it should have been 2, but a rising drive by substitute Addison struck the underside of the crossbar then bounced to safety. Cartagena fans hearts were in their mouths on 84 mins, when giant striker Joni put his header the wrong side of the post, with the goal at his mercy. With 3 mins remaining, it looked like Mena must score, but he was crudely brought down on the edge of the box, resulting in an early bath for Vecindarios Comendez. Down to 9 men, Vecindario looked to be there for the taking, but their rearguard stayed firm, and when senor Ferrer signalled for the end of the match, they celebrated as if they had just won the cup.
FC Cartagena lineup
Ruben, Txiki, Raul, Mariano, Cabrejo, Carmona, Armando, Eloy (Mena), Juan (Falcon), Tato (Addison), Nano

Forthcoming Fixture
On Sunday 15 March, ko tbn (although in all probability it will be 5pm), Cartagena travel to mid table Sangonera, for what promises to be a tasty local derby. This div 2b fixture will probably be shown live on Murcia based channel 7 tv station. For further info on FC Cartagena, please phone Steve on 656 579 423, or check out www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.