Los albinegros en el séptimo cielo. By Steve.

LOS ALBINEGROS IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

FC CARTAGENA - 1 UD SALAMANCA - 0

BY STEVE HIBBERD

Not since mid November have Cartagena tasted defeat in div 2a, whilst this solid victory over mid table Salamanca takes their unbeaten run of matches to an impressive 7 (5 wins, 2 draws). Following on from last weeks draw at Girona, manager JIM recalled linchpins Mariano and Botelho, to form part of what is possibly his first choice team. Salamanca meanwhile, included ex Cartagena favourite Hector Yuste, who played a major part in the promotion winning match at Alcoyano 2 seasons ago. 

Shouts for a penalty, when Victor appeared to be bundled off the ball after 4 mins, fell on deaf ears as Cartagena started the game brightly. Following a somewhat tranquil period in proceedings, in which neither keeper were tested, Casilla pulled off a magnificent double save, which proved to be Salamanca's only chance of the 1st half on 20 mins. Once again, another period of inactivity was in evidence, before that man Toche rudely awoke the cast from their slumbers! It was Lafuente who provided the all important low cross to the far post, for the long legs of Toche to stretch to their limit and stroke home the ball into an empty net, giving his team the lead after 33 mins. The remainder of the half was pretty uneventful, apart from bookings for Lafuente and Herrero, the latter who became engaged in a tasty running battle with an opponent, who also went into the book.

During the half time interval, it suddenly dawned on me that the much awaited smoking ban had evidently not stretched to inside sports stadiums, but it was so nice to nip into the supporters club for a quick coffee without coughing my guts up!! Within 2 mins of the restart Victor had the ball in the net, but his effort was disallowed for offside. Shouts for a penalty echoed throughout Cartagonova stadium, this time for handball, but once again ref Lopez decided against awarding the home side a spot kick on 10 mins. Around this time the game stepped up a gear, as chances for both sides came thick and fast. A lovely one two between Botelho (his cheeky back heal totally bamboozled the Salamanca defence) and Toche, resulted in keeper Ribas pulling off 2 brilliant point blank saves. 

From the very next attack, a goal bound header by Toche was athletically tipped onto the bar by Ribas. Next, it was Casilla's turn to show off his skills, when he in turn saved well from a Eduardo header, as Salamanca produced a fine counter attack on the hour mark. Salamanca were now on the ascendancy, and could easily have scored when an inviting pass across the face of the goal just lacked a finishing touch. On 72 mins Juanjo headed just over, in what was Salamanca's last attack on goal. With 13 mins remaining, Botelho almost doubled Cartagena's advantage, but his curling shot smacked against the base of the far post before being cleared. Apart from a further 3 bookings (Keko for handball and 2 visitors), there were no further incidents, in what had been a thoroughly enjoyable game of football.

FC Cartagena line-up

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

Forthcoming Fixture

Up next for Cartagena is a trip to fellow play off contenders, Rayo Vallacano. Channel 7RM will be showing the game live on Sat 15 Jan, ko 6pm. For further info on FC Cartagena, visit www.gotocartago.com www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.