Donde nos merecemos. By Steve.

UP WHERE WE BELONG
CD ALCOYANO - 2 FC CARTAGENA - 2 (AGGREGATE 3-4)
BY STEVE HIBBERD

After a 21 year absence, Cartagena are finally back in div 2a, after beating Alcoyano in a thrilling div 2b playoff, 2nd leg, encounter. In fact, it is 27 years (almost to the day), since Cartagena (then Efesa) last won promotion to div 2a.
Early exchanges saw Alcoyano create the better chances, the best of which resulted in a lucky let off, when a well placed shot hit the post. Cartagena not only weathered the storm, but they went ahead after 28 mins through a well taken goal. A fine run and cross by Viyuela, culminated in Tato glancing his header just wide of the keeper and into the back of the net. Five mins later, and the scores on the day would have been level, had it not been for the brilliance of keeper Ruben, who not only produced a text book save to deny a goal, but was alert enough to push the rebound behind for a corner. In 1st half stoppage time, an Alcoy long range free kick was deflected behind for a corner, then from the resultant corner, a powerful header sneaked just over the crossbar. As players were leaving at half time, punches appeared to be thrown, although the ref chose to take no action. Then, during the interval, police were forced to baton charge rowdy Alcoy fans who had encroached onto the pitch, forcing them to return to their seats behind the goal.

The game turned sour in the 2nd half, when players from both sides picked up bookings for nasty fouls. One such booking on 58 mins to Viyuela, resulted in his dismissal (2nd yellow), leaving Los Albinegros to play the remaining 30+ mins with only 10 men. Following constant pressure, the home side eventually got the days equalizing goal on 72 mins, when a long range free kick was side footed home by an unmarked player at the far post. Then, with only 9 mins remaining, Alcoy took the lead through a defensive cock up, which enabled their no 16 to scramble the ball over the goalline. Looking dead and buried, Cartagena mustered enough strength to take the game to Alcoy, and 2 mins into stoppage time they scored the most unlikely equalizer. When Carmona robbed a defender 20 yards inside their half, he still had a lot to do, but he kept his cool by rounding his opponents (including the keeper), before squaring the ball to Juan Pablo, who stroked the ball into an empty net. Over 500 ecstatic Cartagena fans, bunched behind that goal, went absolutely berserk. Actually, 500 was the number of tickets allocated to Cartagena, but the true figure was nearer 1,000, in a crowd of 7,000 (the ground holds 4,000, but seats were taken out to accommodate an extra 3,000). Although Alcoyano pressed hard for a winner, Cartagena held out, falling on their knees when the ref blew the final whistle.
Next season, Cartagena can look forward to local derbies such as Real Murcia (Portsmouth v Southampton equivilant), Elche and Alicante based side Hercules. There is still a possibility that fellow Murcian based side Lorca can join them via the play offs, as 2 more sides are still to be promoted.

Cartagena line-up
Ruben, Cabrejo, Armando, Miki (Raul), Txiki, Carmona, Mariano, Hector, Viyuela, Tato (Juan Pablo), Mena (Nano)

Forthcoming Fixture
Cartagenas next match is a friendly against the other div 2b champion play off winner. Andalucia based side Cadiz, who knocked out Real Union, visit Cartagonova Stadium on Sun 31 May (ko tbn). A good crowd is expected to give Cartagena a heroes welcome. Phone Steve on 656579423 or visit www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com, for further details.