El veterano victor da una vital victoria. By Steve.

VETERAN VICTOR VIEWS VITAL VICTORY

FC CARTAGENA - 1 AD ALCORCON - 0

BY STEVE HIBBERD

Ageing striker Victor scored his 1st goal of the season, in this physical but at times entertaining, div 2a clash with Madrid based side Alcorcon. Not since the trouncing of Barca 'B' on 11 Sep had Los Albinegros secured all 3 points, but in all fairness, this victory never really looked in doubt. Unfortunately, the win came at a cost, for after only 14 mins, club captain Mariano limped off to join Pablo Ruiz on the injury list. Also missing from next weeks match will be Txiki, following his 5th yellow card of the season. The home side started brightly, when a fiercely taken long range free kick by Moral was deflected behind for a corner after only 4 mins. Shortly afterwards, Toche was in a great position to score, but his close range shot was well blocked.

 

It was Botelho who provided a peach of a through ball into the path of Victor, who from the edge of the box, cheekily flicked the ball past an on rushing keeper after 11 mins to score the games only goal. Toche should have doubled his sides advantage 8 mins later, but was slow to react to another superb assist, allowing keeper Herrera to smother his weak attempt. Apart from a Lafuente drive which just eased over the bar, the game took a lull in proceedings until a well worked move resulted in Toche once again squandering a glorious opportunity, when he shot wide after 34 mins. A 22 yard free kick by Victor required another superb save by Herrera, whilst his opposite number Casilla did not have a shot on goal to save, in a half which the home side totally dominated.

Within a min of the new half, Moral would have scored had it not been for the impressive Herrera bravely diving at his feet. An inch perfect cross by Txiki was headed just wide by Lafuente, as chances were at a premium. It took 77 mins before Alcorcon put in a decent strike, when Nagore shot just over from long range. Man of the match just had to be the magnificent Cygan who won everything at the heart of Cartagena's defence, followed closely by Alcorcon keeper Herrera who once again came to his sides rescue, this time taking the ball of the feet of Botelho, thus denying another certain goal.

FC Cartagena line up

Casilla, Cygan, Txiki, Mariano (Julien), Botelho, Toche (Goiria), Longas, Lafuente (Clavero), Cala, Moral, Victor

Forthcoming Fixture

Next week, Cartagena face Villarreal 'B' inside the small Ciudad deportiva Villarreal stadium (1,500 capacity), on Sat 30 Oct, ko 6pm (this game will be shown live on Murcia satellite tv station 7RM). Following the weekends results, Cartagena move up to 11th on 12 points, whilst Villarreal lie 16th, 2 points less than their next visitors. For regular updates on FC Cartagena, visit www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.