Otra vez Muñoz. By Steve.

MUÑOZ DOES IT AGAIN

SD PONFERRADINA - 1 FC CARTAGENA - 2

BY STEVE HIBBERD

Super sub Inaki Munoz scored an absolutely fabulous goal only seconds after leaving the bench, ensuring that all 3 points would be heading back to submarine city. Memories came flooding back of his only other goal for Cartagena in Oct, when an injury time 30 yard thunderbolt in a draw against Nastic Tarragona saved the day. At Torain stadium last Fri night, Munoz was the unlikely hero yet again, although this time his stunning long range strike arrived on 84 mins. He not only won the points, but he also spared his blundering team mates blushes, as they somehow contrived to miss at least 3 embarrassingly simple goal scoring opportunities.

Los Albinegros took the lead shortly before the half time interval. A Clavero cross into the penalty area was blatantly handled by defender Miguel, who not only conceded a spot kick, but was also cautioned for his troubles. Up stepped Victor to nonchalantly stroke the ball past a keeper, who appeared so mesmerised that he stayed rooted to the spot. Leading up to the goal, Botelho had provided 2 sublime crosses which Toche failed to connect with, whilst at the other end, shots were raining high and wide without troubling visiting keeper Casilla.

The tempo increased dramatically during the 2nd period, as both sides took no prisoners, resulting in 3 more bookings (Toche, Moral and Ponferradina's De Paula). It was De Paula, who minutes before had headed home a deserved equaliser from an inch perfect cross. Before and after Ponferradina's goal, Cartagena created numerous clear cut goalscoring chances, which unfortunately all went begging. Toche and sub Goiria were the villains, both squandering chances that would feature in most soccer bloomer dvds/videos. When another perfect Botelho cross found the head of Toche underneath the cross bar, he had to score - didn't he? Well no, actually he somehow managed to head the ball way over the top. Twas Toche again, put through on goal with just keeper Jano to beat, who amazingly shot wide without forcing the keeper to make a save. Sub Goiria, not to be outdone, missed an almost carbon copy golden opportunity, leaving manager JIM to surely demand increased target practice for his sorely under performing strikers. But, alls well that ends well, and this victory extends Cartagena's unbeaten record to 4 games, pushing them up to 5th in the table.

FC Cartagena line-up

Casilla, Exposito, Herrero, Cygan (Julien), Clavero, Mariano, Longas (Munoz), Moral, Botelho, Victor (Goiria), Toche

Forthcoming Fixture

Mid table Las Palmas visit Cartagonova stadium on Sun 19 Dec, ko 1200 (midday), for the last div 2a fixture of 2010. For regular updates on FC Cartagena, visit www.nosoloefese.es, www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.