Un Cartagena en inferioridad cae ante el Barça. By Steve.

NINE MAN CARTAGENA BATERED BY BARÇA

FC CARTAGENA 0 - BARÇA B 4

BY STEVE HIBBERD

Last season's 5-1 drubbing of Barcalona's 2nd string team seems a distant memory, after this humiliating defeat, arriving on a home debut for new manager Paco Lopez. Following on from last weeks poor performance at Hercules, the last thing Los Albinegros needed was to concede an early goal, but that's exactly what they did. After 8 mins, Chamorro should have scored on his home debut, but when clean through on goal, he shot straight at the keeper. The resulting corner fell perfectly for the opposition, who then stormed up field unchallenged, allowing Femenia the opportunity to blast the ball just inside the near post.

Midway through the half, Barca could have doubled their score, but Riverola could only watch as his chipped shot inched over the bar. On 33 mins it was 0-2, following Rafinha's unchallenged headed goal at the far post, from a perfectly placed deep corner. Moments later, Alvaro almost reduced the deficit, but his long range shot was well saved by Barca's keeper Mino. Just before the interval, Rafinha almost scored another, but his fierce drive from just outside the box just missed the target. Five minutes into the new half, the dangerous Rafinha found himself in a 1 on 1 situation with Reina, but was thwarted by the home keeper who bravely dived at feet to prevent a certain goal. Loud appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears on the hour mark, when Alvero appeared to be bundled over in the visitors penalty area.

If things were bad, they were about to become a lot worse, when Cartagena substitute Josemi (on the pitch for barely 10 minutes) committed an atrocious x-rated 2 footed challenge, fully deserving the straight red card which the excellent arbitro Arraiz brandished in his direction. Down to 10 men, Los Albinegros were no match for the superb Catalonian youngsters, and it was no surprise when Rafinha made it 0-3 with another accurate drive. An off the ball incident reduced the home side to 9 men - this time it was Gaspar who was sent off, whilst an opponent writhed in agony over on the touch line (as you do!!).

Goal number 4 was a product of 2 Barca substitutes. A goal bound shot by Deulofeu was parried by Reina, only for Cuenca to expertly place his shot wide of the crestfallen keeper, and into the back of the net. On 80 minutes, Barca substitute Carmona entered the fray, greeted by the largest cheer of the day (twas Carmona who scored the winning goal 3 seasons ago in the div 2b play off final). At full time, many of the 7,500 crowd showed their dissatisfaction, by booing and waving white hankies (a typical Spanish display of disgust!). On Weds 7 Sep, ko 9pm, Cartagena have a home tie in the copa del rey (kings cup), then on Sat 10 Sep, ko 6pm, it's back to league div 2a business, with a long trip to Catalonia to play against newly promoted Sabadell (this game will be shown live on Murcian satellite channel 7RM).