WINNING START FOR LOS ALBINEGROSGIRONA CF - 0 FC CARTAGENA - 1
BY STEVE HIBBERD
Ex Chelsea star de Lucas, ended 21 years of hurt for Cartagena, when his spectacular strike announced their arrival back in div 2a. Playing in front of a sparse crowd inside Gironas Montilivi Stadium, the visitors certainly rode their luck before leaving the northern Spanish town with all 3 points. The week had started well, when manager JIM announced the final piece of his squad jigsaw, having completed the signing of 26 year old striker Toche from Albacete (although he was not signed in time to feature in his new clubs opening league fixture). Having the luxury of a full squad to choose from, JIM selected an impressive looking line up, which included super stars Victor, Cygan and of course de Lucas.
What a fantastic game of football this turned out to be. Not fancying a trip to close on the French border, I elected to view this match on Spanish Channel 7. Things couldn't have started better for the boys from Southern Murcia, for after only 6 mins they took the lead. An exquisite through ball by Mariano found de Lucas, who in turn took the ball in his stride before unleashing an unstoppable drive from 20 yards, which beat a bemused keeper all ends up. For the next quarter of an hour, both teams were finding their feet, until Gironas striker Kiko wasted a glorious opportunity when he blasted a 15 yarder high over the bar, with Cartagenas keeper Ruben well out of position. On the half hour mark, it was Kiko again who should have scored, this time his lobbed effort went the wrong side of the post. Shortly afterwards, it was Cartagenas Tato who was guilty of a howler, when he horribly screwed his shot wide of the post with the goal at his mercy. Cartagena totally dominated the final 5 mins of the half, case in point being when first Tato, then Cygan and finally de Lucas all had super strikes well saved by a very competent keeper.
If the 1st half started in dramatic fashion, ditto the 2nd. Only 3 mins had elapsed before the home side were awarded a highly contentious penalty. It appeared that Cygan had made a perfectly legal challenge for the ball inside the penalty area, but alas the arbitro saw it differently. Step forward that man Kiko, to once again fluff his lines, as he made a complete hash of the spot kick by blasted it high over the bar. You could say justice was done!! Tato almost doubled his sides lead on the hour mark, but his well struck shot was superbly pushed around the post. Next, it was Victor to get into the act, when from Tatos cross, he tamely headed over the bar. Ruben came to his sides rescue on 67 mins, as a result of an awful back pass by Clavero, when he saved magnificently with his outstretched leg, preventing Girona scoring a certain goal. Twice within as many minutes, first Tato, then substitute Tonino brought the best out of an overworked keeper, who in all honestly had kept Girona in the game. Inside the final 10 mins it was all Girona. Fate decided that it would be Kiko who would had the final say, when inside stoppage time, and with half of an unguarded goal to aim at, he squeezed his shot hopelessly (but thankfully) well past the post. All in all, this was an excellent start to the season for a well disciplined Cartagena side, who showed that the elevation to div 2a has not phased them one iota..
FC CARTAGENA LINE UP
RUBEN, TXIKI, CYGAN, PABLO RUIZ, CLAVERO, DE LUCAS (TONINO), MARIANO, LONGAS (HERRERO), LAFUENTE (FALCON), VICTOR, TATO
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Next up for Cartagena are 2 home matches within a week. On Weds 2 Sep ko 9.30 pm, Elche arrive at Cartagonova Stadium for a Copa del Rey (Spanish FA Cup) match. Then on Sat 5 Sep ko 6 pm, it's the first home div 2a match of the season, when Rayo Vallecano visit Cartagonova Stadium. Madrid based Rayo, comfortably won their opening league match 3-0 against Albacete, and will no doubt be very tough opposition.
If you want to be part of the Los Albinegros revolution, why not come along to one of these games, and I can assure that you will be hooked. Further info can be obtained by checking out www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com or by phoning Steve on 656 579 423. Go on, you know you want to!!
What a fantastic game of football this turned out to be. Not fancying a trip to close on the French border, I elected to view this match on Spanish Channel 7. Things couldn't have started better for the boys from Southern Murcia, for after only 6 mins they took the lead. An exquisite through ball by Mariano found de Lucas, who in turn took the ball in his stride before unleashing an unstoppable drive from 20 yards, which beat a bemused keeper all ends up. For the next quarter of an hour, both teams were finding their feet, until Gironas striker Kiko wasted a glorious opportunity when he blasted a 15 yarder high over the bar, with Cartagenas keeper Ruben well out of position. On the half hour mark, it was Kiko again who should have scored, this time his lobbed effort went the wrong side of the post. Shortly afterwards, it was Cartagenas Tato who was guilty of a howler, when he horribly screwed his shot wide of the post with the goal at his mercy. Cartagena totally dominated the final 5 mins of the half, case in point being when first Tato, then Cygan and finally de Lucas all had super strikes well saved by a very competent keeper.
If the 1st half started in dramatic fashion, ditto the 2nd. Only 3 mins had elapsed before the home side were awarded a highly contentious penalty. It appeared that Cygan had made a perfectly legal challenge for the ball inside the penalty area, but alas the arbitro saw it differently. Step forward that man Kiko, to once again fluff his lines, as he made a complete hash of the spot kick by blasted it high over the bar. You could say justice was done!! Tato almost doubled his sides lead on the hour mark, but his well struck shot was superbly pushed around the post. Next, it was Victor to get into the act, when from Tatos cross, he tamely headed over the bar. Ruben came to his sides rescue on 67 mins, as a result of an awful back pass by Clavero, when he saved magnificently with his outstretched leg, preventing Girona scoring a certain goal. Twice within as many minutes, first Tato, then substitute Tonino brought the best out of an overworked keeper, who in all honestly had kept Girona in the game. Inside the final 10 mins it was all Girona. Fate decided that it would be Kiko who would had the final say, when inside stoppage time, and with half of an unguarded goal to aim at, he squeezed his shot hopelessly (but thankfully) well past the post. All in all, this was an excellent start to the season for a well disciplined Cartagena side, who showed that the elevation to div 2a has not phased them one iota..
FC CARTAGENA LINE UP
RUBEN, TXIKI, CYGAN, PABLO RUIZ, CLAVERO, DE LUCAS (TONINO), MARIANO, LONGAS (HERRERO), LAFUENTE (FALCON), VICTOR, TATO
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Next up for Cartagena are 2 home matches within a week. On Weds 2 Sep ko 9.30 pm, Elche arrive at Cartagonova Stadium for a Copa del Rey (Spanish FA Cup) match. Then on Sat 5 Sep ko 6 pm, it's the first home div 2a match of the season, when Rayo Vallecano visit Cartagonova Stadium. Madrid based Rayo, comfortably won their opening league match 3-0 against Albacete, and will no doubt be very tough opposition.
If you want to be part of the Los Albinegros revolution, why not come along to one of these games, and I can assure that you will be hooked. Further info can be obtained by checking out www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com or by phoning Steve on 656 579 423. Go on, you know you want to!!
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FC Cartagena. Peña "Goto Cartago" fundada en 2002