El Cartagena se hunde tras fallar un penalti. By Steve.

MISSED PENALTY STARTS THE ROT

HERCULES CF - 2 FC CARTAGENA - 0

BY STEVE HIBBERD

A 19th minute penalty miss by Alvaro (who along with 9 others, was making his league debut for Cartagena), seemed to knock the stuffing out of the visitors, who from that moment on, were virtually outplayed by a well organized Hercules side. Many penalties are missed nowadays, but there are half hearted attempts, and there are good saves, with Alvaro's poor excuse definitely falling into the former category. It was clearly a spot kick when Chamorro was scythed down by Samuel inside the box, but Alvaro's powder puff effort barely reached the goal line, causing me to knock over a freshly poured beer in a fit of rage, whilst shouting words such as 'useless', 'granny', and choice Spanish words which are unprintable! This was the first div 2a game of the season, following the recent strike by the Spanish professional players association over outstanding wages, which put paid to the original curtain raiser against Deportivo La Coruna (although this has now been rearranged for Weds 26 Oct). Surprisingly, only 8,500 fans gathered inside Jose Rico Perez Stadium (capacity 30,000), to witness what was Hercules first game back in div 2a, following a short lived stint in la liga. 

Hercules tested new Cartagena keeper Reina, when a firm drive from the edge of the box by Callejon was well saved. Then came the penalty miss, after which the home side completely dominated the remainder of the 1st half. Reina failed to hold a fierce drive, the rebound passed back to him by a team mate, as ref Lopez (who had a super game) correctly awarded an indirect free kick, some 5 yards from the goal line, but new boy Gaspar came to his sides rescue with a dramatic headed clearance from underneath the crossbar. On 34 minutes, Hercules took the lead, when an accurate low powerful shot from the edge of the box by Callejon, crept just inside the near post. Although Reina made a good attempt at saving it, his view was probably impaired by a number of covering defenders. 

Gaspar almost gifted Hercules a 2nd goal, less than 2 minutes into the new half. His misjudged back pass found Michel, whose dangerous run was thwarted by an on rushing Reina, who did well to block his shot. Callejon should have doubled his goals tally, but he shot harmlessly past the post, then moments later, team mate Michel was guilty of a similar glaring miss. Reina was certainly earning his wages (you have to feel sorry for the poor souls - they don't get paid much!), this time saving at close range from Mora. On 74 minutes, Alvaro had a glorious opportunity to make amends for his penalty miss, but having received a peach of a through ball, and with just the keeper to beat, he sadly shot high and wide of the bar. 

A comical mix up between Dimas and keeper Reina, allowed Sardinero to stroll unopposed to the goal line, where he nonchalantly slotted the ball home, making the score 2-0, and effectively wrap up the game. Substitute striker Bolado had the last attempt of the game, when his deflected shot eased over the bar, but all in all, this was a day that he and his Cartagena team mates will want to forget. So, not only did new manager Paco Lopez fail to get off to a winning start, but some of his tactical decisions were somewhat strange, none more so than after only 24 minutes when midfielder Collantes was forced to leave the field through injury, he inexplicably replaced him not only with a striker, (there were already 2 on the field - and playing away!!), but the one he chose was that totally inept tub of lard, commonly known as Gloria (omg!).

FC CARTAGENA LINE UP

Reina, Txiki (Manu), Goni, Paz, Gaspar, Collantes (Goiria), Dimas, Lafuente, Moral, Alvero (Bolado), Chamorro

FORTHCOMING FIXTURE

Next up for Cartagena is the long awaited first home league match of the season. Make a note of Sun 4 Sep, ko 6pm, for the visit of Barcelona 'B', in what promises to be a thoroughly entertaining div 2a fixture, if last season's 5-1 victory is anything to go by. For regular updates on FC Cartagena, visit www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.