La participación de Longás no fue suficiente. By Steve.

LONGAS STRIKE NOT ENOUGH

FC CARTAGENA - 1   ALBACETE BALOMPIE - 1

BY STEVE HIBBERD

 A seasons first goal for Antonio Longas was not enough for his side to capture all 3 points, as basement side Albacete clung on for grim death to earn a share of the spoils. Manager JIM elected to bring in Munoz as replacement for suspended Moral, otherwise the side was the same that secured victory at Valladolid the previous week.  Last season, Albacete featured in a final day fixture at Cartagonova Stadium, where they triumphed 0-4, thus securing their div 2a status by a whisker. This time around, Albacete started where they left off, in dramatic fashion.  Inside the 2nd min, a surging run into the penalty area by winger Toni, was halted by central defender Cala.  Although it looked a 50/50 decision, ref Hernandez decreed the challenge to be unfair and awarded a penalty.  Keeper Casilla guessed the direction correctly, but Verza shot powerfully just inside the far post, giving the visitors a shock lead.  Despite this early setback, Cartagena fought back well - Munoz shot just wide of the post shortly afterwards.  

Ex Cartagena striker Tato was causing all kinds of problems with his powerful runs, one of which produced a great cross into the box, although somehow it eluded his Albacete colleagues.  Toche forced Albacete keeper Navas into making a great save from his powerful header, before parity was restored on 24 mins.  Fortune smiled on Longas, as his hopeful shot through a crowded penalty area, took a wicked deflection before nestling into the back of the net.  With the 1st half nearing its conclusion, a superb diving header by Asen, which flew inches wide of the post, so nearly gave Albacete the lead, although on the balance of play, the score was just about right.

If the 1st half was pretty even, then the 2nd half belonged almost exclusively to the home side.  From the off, Cartagena went for the kill, once again it was Munoz who shot wide from a good position.  On 52 mins, a dangerous run by Botelho was crudely halted by Kike, earning the Albacete full back his 2nd yellow card.  Down to 10 men, the visitors reshuffled, substituting defenders for strikers, making their intent fairly obvious.  Apart from a Nunez long range free kick easing over the bar, Albacete were content to sit back and soak up the pressure.  First Toche, then Ruiz headed over, before Botelho shot wide, as Cartagena were creating chance after chance.  Midway through the half, substitutes Goiria and Keko both peppered Albacete's framework, but the accuracy of attempts on goal left a lot to be desired!  Late on, a Botelho effort almost produced an own goal, but the games final chance fell to Toche, who again headed wide from a good position, when on another day he would have buried it.

Attendance:  7,647

FC Cartagena line-up

Casilla, Cygan (Ruiz), Clavero, Mariano, Herrero (Goiria), Botelho, Toche, Longas, Cala, Munoz (Keko), Victor

Forthcoming Fixtures

     Northern Spain is the destination for the next div 2a fixture involving Cartagena.  On Fri 10 Dec, ko 2100 hrs, it's Ponferradina v Cartagena at Toralin Stadium, with the game being shown live on Gol and Canal Plus tv channels.  Then, for the final game of 2010, it's back to Cartagonova Stadium.  Cartagena v Las Palmas is on Sun 19 Dec, ko 1200 (midday).  For up to date news on FC Cartagena, check out www.nosoloefese.es, www.gotocartago.com and www.futbolclubcartagena.com.