La batalla en la parte baja acaba en tablas. By Steve.

BASEMENT BATTLE ENDS IN STALEMATE 

GIMNASTIC TARRAGONA - 0 FC CARTAGENA - 0 

BY STEVE HIBBERD 

Before start of play in this div 2a match, neither side had won any of their previous 6 league matches, so anyone placing a bet on a draw would not have been rewarded by anything more than even odds. Having said that, it must be the visitors who left Tarragona's (just south of Barcelona) Nou Estadi the happier of the 2 sides, after securing their first point of the season. One swallow does not make a summer, just as one point does not signal the start of a change of fortune for Cartagena, for although a draw was a fair result, it was the home side who had the clearest chances to score. 

Manager Javi Lopez (who incidentally was returning to the place of his birth) elected to make no less than 6 changes from the starting line up that lost against Alcoyano the previous week, including full back Kijera, making his first start of the season, Reina, who was chosen ahead of Juanma in goal, whilst central defender Paz lined up for only his 2nd appearance, following a lengthy lay off caused by an injury on the opening day. Playing in a brand new away kit of blue shirts, black shorts and blue socks, Cartagena almost scored after 22 mins, but Josemi's header from an in swinging corner was just a fraction too high. Paz marked his return to the game with a booking on the half hour mark, then from the resultant free kick by Tarragona's front man Powell, Reina pulled off a smart save at the foot of his post. Less than a minute later, the visitors had a strong case for a penalty rejected, even though a firm push on Alvero inside the box looked pretty blatant to me! A superb goal bound shot by Collantes was headed behind for a Cartagena corner, then just after he had received a booking for handbags at 10 paces with Nastic defender Rodri, Toni Moral could only watch as his shot across goal narrowly evaded the far post. 

Ex Liverpool defender Josemi lasted only 2 minutes into the 2nd half. Landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge with a home striker, he was stretchered off before being replaced by Herrero. Los Albinegros received the first of 2 almighty let offs after 68 mins, when the dangerous Powell beat the offside trap before unleashing a fearsome drive that rattled the cross bar, before bouncing to safety. At the other end, Moral should really have done better with a peach of an assist by Collantes, but unfortunately with just the keeper to beat, he failed to control the ball. Only 5 minutes after the 1st let off, the woodwork once again came to Cartagena's rescue, this time it was a rocket shot by Luna which deserved better. With both sides searching for that elusive goal, play once again switched to the other end, this time Kijera almost marked his Cartagena debut with a goal, but his deft header from a corner agonizingly inched over the bar. Deep into stoppage time, only a top drawer save by the home keeper prevented sub Goiria (Gloria) from scoring his first goal of the season (and probably saved me from a heart attack!!). 

Next up for Cartagena, is a visit to Cartagonova Stadium for Cordoba on Sat 15 Oct, ko 6pm. For details of this div 2a fixture and more, visit www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.