THANKS FOR THE MEMORIESFC CARTAGENA - 0 ALBACETE BALOMPIE - 4
BY STEVE HIBBERD
If you had said at the start of the season that newly promoted Cartagena would finish 5th in div 2a, then you might also be in the very small minority who thinks that Heskey should play for England (don't get me started on that one!!). Season 09/10 has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride for Los Albinegros, who constantly punched way above their weight, fighting for promotion right up until the penultimate match. Ultimately promotion was not achieved, but the standard of football displayed was one of the highest quality. Post match, the players completed a well deserved lap of honour - even subi the submarine joined in (he's got to be the most original mascot in the world). Although no one added to their tally during this end of season encounter, Toche finished with impressive statistics of 19 league and 3 cup goals. De Lucas notched up 11 league goals, closely followed by Victor on 9, whilst Lafuente scored 6. Having been in the top 3 for most of the season, missing promotion was a bitter pill to swallow, but although Cartagena had nothing to play for, this definitely wasn't the case for opponents Albacete. They needed to win big time. As events around the grounds unfolded, it transpired that had Albacete not won, then they would have been relegated.
Playing 3 up front, Albacete were certainly on a mission. Unbelievably, a 4 goal blitz within 18 minutes, secured their survival. It started on 24 mins, when a long range free kick found the head of Lopez who made no mistake. One minute later, Hidalgo's powerful drive put them 2 up. A well worked move, culminated in a cross being headed home by Stuani on the half hour mark. Finally, the best of the lot arrived on 42 mins, when an audacious chip by Lopez, sailed over Cartagena's keeper Castilla into the net. The 2nd half was all Cartagena, but try as they may, the deficit could not be reduced. Keeper Cabrero, who in the 1st half had been a mere spectator, brought off great saves from Lafuente and sub Hector. Forced to shoot from long range, both Lafuente and De Lucas saw their efforts sail over the bar, before Albacete players and fans started wild celebrations as the final whistle sounded.
Next season, relegated Xerez, Tenerife and Valladolid will be replaced by Real Sociadad, Hercules and Levante. Although Hercules, Levante and Real Betis finished on equal points, the head to head rule came into force, meaning that although Betis had a better goal difference than Levante, the Valencian based side got the nod (one day the Spanish FA will join the rest of Europe in the 21st century!!). Relegated to div 2b are Castellon, Real Union, Cadiz and Cartagena's bitter rivals Real Murcia, who will be replaced by Granada, Ponferradina, Barcalona 'B' and Alcorcon (giant killers in this seasons Spanish FA cup - they knocked out Real Madrid).
FC Cartagena line up
Castilla, Signorino, Pablo Ruiz, Herrero (Etxeita), Exposito, Lafuente, Longas (Hector), Victor, De Lucas, Mariano, Falcon (Balboa)
For further info on FC Cartagena, please visit www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.
BY STEVE HIBBERD
If you had said at the start of the season that newly promoted Cartagena would finish 5th in div 2a, then you might also be in the very small minority who thinks that Heskey should play for England (don't get me started on that one!!). Season 09/10 has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride for Los Albinegros, who constantly punched way above their weight, fighting for promotion right up until the penultimate match. Ultimately promotion was not achieved, but the standard of football displayed was one of the highest quality. Post match, the players completed a well deserved lap of honour - even subi the submarine joined in (he's got to be the most original mascot in the world). Although no one added to their tally during this end of season encounter, Toche finished with impressive statistics of 19 league and 3 cup goals. De Lucas notched up 11 league goals, closely followed by Victor on 9, whilst Lafuente scored 6. Having been in the top 3 for most of the season, missing promotion was a bitter pill to swallow, but although Cartagena had nothing to play for, this definitely wasn't the case for opponents Albacete. They needed to win big time. As events around the grounds unfolded, it transpired that had Albacete not won, then they would have been relegated.
Playing 3 up front, Albacete were certainly on a mission. Unbelievably, a 4 goal blitz within 18 minutes, secured their survival. It started on 24 mins, when a long range free kick found the head of Lopez who made no mistake. One minute later, Hidalgo's powerful drive put them 2 up. A well worked move, culminated in a cross being headed home by Stuani on the half hour mark. Finally, the best of the lot arrived on 42 mins, when an audacious chip by Lopez, sailed over Cartagena's keeper Castilla into the net. The 2nd half was all Cartagena, but try as they may, the deficit could not be reduced. Keeper Cabrero, who in the 1st half had been a mere spectator, brought off great saves from Lafuente and sub Hector. Forced to shoot from long range, both Lafuente and De Lucas saw their efforts sail over the bar, before Albacete players and fans started wild celebrations as the final whistle sounded.
Next season, relegated Xerez, Tenerife and Valladolid will be replaced by Real Sociadad, Hercules and Levante. Although Hercules, Levante and Real Betis finished on equal points, the head to head rule came into force, meaning that although Betis had a better goal difference than Levante, the Valencian based side got the nod (one day the Spanish FA will join the rest of Europe in the 21st century!!). Relegated to div 2b are Castellon, Real Union, Cadiz and Cartagena's bitter rivals Real Murcia, who will be replaced by Granada, Ponferradina, Barcalona 'B' and Alcorcon (giant killers in this seasons Spanish FA cup - they knocked out Real Madrid).
FC Cartagena line up
Castilla, Signorino, Pablo Ruiz, Herrero (Etxeita), Exposito, Lafuente, Longas (Hector), Victor, De Lucas, Mariano, Falcon (Balboa)
For further info on FC Cartagena, please visit www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.
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FC Cartagena. Peña "Goto Cartago" fundada en 2002