Duro golpe para el Cartagena. By Steve.

DOWN TO EARTH WITH A BUMP

RAYO VALLECANO - 3 FC CARTAGENA - 1

BY STEVE HIBBERD

Having previously gone 7 games unbeaten, Cartagena inexplicably put in a totally inept performance against fellow play off contenders, Rayo Vallecano. Some 300 fans made the long journey to Teresa Rivero stadium in Madrid, then departed having witnessed their heroes show a complete lack of determination and imagination, as Rayo recorded a well deserved victory for the second time this season (they knocked out Cartagena in an early round of the copa del Rey). The game started in dramatic fashion, when the hosts took a lead inside the first minute. A low cross from the right was hit first time by Fuego. His goal bound shot hit defender Herrero, only for Armenteros to head home the loose ball into an empty net. 

Nine minutes later Rayo had doubled their lead, once again the damage was done by Armenteros who headed home another cross from the right, with Cartagena's keeper again caught in no mans land. On 16 mins, it should have been 3-0, but Armenteros could not do with his feet what he had done with his head, as his powerful drive whistled past the post. When the menacing Botelho became the filling in a human sandwich, ref Astilleros immediately pointed to the spot (video evidence later showed that the offence took place outside the box). Aggressor Garcia was shown a red card for his sins (2nd yellow card), before Victor coolly dispatched his penalty just inside the post, giving his side renewed hope after 33 mins.

Following a non eventful opening period, the 2nd half eventually came alive (then quickly went back to sleep again!), on 65 mins. A delightful through ball found the feet of veteran Ukrainian Delibasic, who expertly slotted the ball under the on rushing Casilla into an empty net. Half hearted appeals for handball inside the penalty area, failed to persuade the ref to award Cartagena another spot kick, as precious time ticked away. Substitute striker Goiria (aka Gloria or Gonorrea - the donkey has yet to score this season!) brought out a good save from Rayo keeper Cobeno on 82 mins, in what was the last chance of the match. When you consider that Rayo played for over an hour (including 5 mins stoppage time) with only 10 men, it makes their opponents poor display even more alarming.

FC Cartagena line-up

Casilla, Txiki, Cygan, Cala (Goiria), Herrero, Botelho, Mariano (Julien), Victor, Toche, Longas, Lafuente (Dani)

Forthcoming Fixture

On Sat 22 Jan, ko 6pm, Celta Vigo visit Cartagonova stadium for another div 2a fixture. The famous light blue shirts of Celta currently lie in 2nd place, and nothing less than 100 percent improvement from the men in black and white stripes, will result in normal service being resumed.