Play offs, ¿qué play offs?

PLAY OFFS, WHAT PLAY OFFS?

UD LAS PALMAS - 2 FC CARTAGENA - 0

BY STEVE HIBBERD

It's official. After a frustration stop start season, Los Albinegros have finally blown any chance that they had of reaching the play offs, following a tame defeat in the Canary Islands. Last Thurs evening inside Gran Canaria stadium, was a typical end of season affair, although the hosts still needed a point to guarantee div 2a survival. Previously in the season, Cartagena had hammered their visitors 5-2, but a repeat of this never looked on the cards. Las Palmas took the lead on 9 mins, courtesy of a superb cross by Quero to Quiroga, whose powerful header left keeper Casilla with no chance. Apart from a long range free kick by visiting midfielder Moral, which was comfortably saved, the 1st half was about as interesting as listening to an episode of 'The Archers' on BBC radio!

Both sides showed more urgency in the 2nd half, and on the hour mark it was Moral again who almost equalized, but his fierce drive from the edge of the box was well saved. Casilla came to his sides rescue on 70 mins, when he tipped a drive by Las Palmas sub Viera over the bar. Moments later, an inch perfect through ball by Mariano found sub Goiria, who with only the keeper to beat, lived up to his reputation as the worst player to ever wear the black and white striped shirt of Cartagena, when he horribly screwed his shot high and wide! This howler was to soon to prove costly, for from the very next attack a harmless looking shot by Adrian took a wicked deflection, leaving Casilla wrong footed as the ball sailed into the net. Cartagena were offered a lifeline on 82 mins, when they were awarded a penalty following Pablo Ruiz being hauled down in the box, but uncharacteristically Toche failed to reduced the arrears, when his spot kick was well saved. On the stroke of full time Toche thought he had made amends, but his close range tap in was ruled out for offside.

FC Cartagena line-up

Casilla, Exposito, Herrero, Pablo, Clavero, Moral, Mariano, Julien (Schmoller), Longas (Rodri), Riga (Goiria), Toche

Only 4 games remain in the 2010/11 season. Following the home game against Girona, it's a trip to relegation threatened Salamanca on Sat 21 May, ko 6pm. Rounding off the season is a visit from 2nd place Rayo Vallecano, before a curtain closure visit to play off hopefuls Celta Vigo. For regular updates on FC Cartagena, visit www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.