No hubo goles pero sí incidentes. By Steve.

NO GOALS BUT INCIDENTS GALORE
REAL BETIS - 0 FC CARTGENA - 0
BY STEVE HIBBERD

Against 9 man Real Betis, Cartagena earned an extremely useful point from this bruising encounter. Played at the magnificent Manuel Ruiz de Lopera Stadium, Seville, this was probably the toughest test for newly promoted Cartagena. Betis, who last season were unexpectedly relegated from La Liga, and are firm favourites to make an immediate return, now occupy joint 2nd slot in div 2a on 10 points, whilst the boys from southern Murcia are still top dogs on 11 points.
The 1st half was a pretty scrappy affair, littered with bookings for crude challenges. It was Betis who created the 1st real chance after 38 mins, with a blistering shot that just missed the target. Just before half time, Ruben fingertipped over the bar a goalbound effort from a Betis striker. In stoppage time, an inch perfect cross from the left was met with a powerful header by Tato, which rattled the Betis crossbar before being cleared to safety.

The impressive Ruben once again came to Cartagenas rescue, when he magnificently pushed away a goalbound effort around the post, within minutes of the restart. Having played a good advantage following a crude foul by Arzu of Betis on De Lucas, the ref then showed a 2nd yellow card to the culprit. Down to 10 men, Betis were well and truely on the back foot, allowing De Lucas to unleash a powerful 25 yarder which shaved the bar. Then it was Lafuentes turn, when he agonizingly shot into the side netting. An eagle eyed linesman spotted an off the ball incident, culminating in a straight red for Garcia who had cynically elbowed De Lucas in the face. In the dying minutes, the superb De Lucas once again tried his luck from distance, but once again fortune deserted him, when his shot cannoned off the bar.

FC CARTAGENA LINEUP
Ruben, Txiki, Pablo, Cygan, Clavero, Mariano, Longas, De Lucas (Falcon), Victor, Lafuente (Quintero), Tato (Toche)

FORTHCOMING FIXTURE
On Sat 3 Oct ko 4pm, Cartagena have a home div 2a fixture against Villarreal 'B' at Cartagonova Stadium. Lying in 16th place after 5 matches, Villarreal have only won 1 match so far, and will definately arrive as underdogs. Check out the fans website on www.gotocartago.com or the official club site on www.futbolclubcartagena.com.