Trabajado punto del FC Cartagena. By Steve.

HARD FOUGHT POINT FOR CARTAGENA 

UD ALMERIA - 0 FC CARTAGENA - 0 

BY STEVE HIBBERD 

Against 3rd place Almeria, Los Albinegros gave a fine account of themselves, and could easily have nicked all 3 points at the death. Although this single point still leaves them in the div 2a relegation zone on 10 points, recent displays are showing signs that a climb up the table is imminent. Almeria started the more brightly, and could easily have been awarded a penalty on 16 minutes, when a Paz hand ball inside the area was deemed accidental. From the next attack, an inviting through ball sliced open the Cartagena defence, only for Ulloa to fail in getting the necessary touch. 

Midway through the 1st half, a cheeky back heel by Soriano was comfortably held by visiting keeper Reina. Los Albinegros mounted their first real assault on goal after 33 minutes, but Goiria headed just over from 10 yards out. Vidal should have put the home side ahead on 40 minutes, but when through on goal, he shot tamely into the side netting. The majority of the 7,000 crowd (including a goodly 500 traveling faithful) were loudly appealing for a penalty in favour of the home side, but as in the first half, a clear hand ball by Julien on 49 mins went unpunished. Moments later, Ulloa again failed to find the vital touch needed on a teasing left wing cross, as Almeria attacked in numbers. 

Reina came to his sides rescue, when he superbly saved a goal bound effort by Almeria front man Corona. But although they were on the back foot for the vast majority of the match, it was Cartagena who almost stole it in stoppage time, courtesy of a Josemi header which just cleared the cross bar. Bookings for Paz and Julien marred an otherwise highly successful night for a jubilant Cartagena team. 

Next up for Cartagena is a home match at Cartagonova Stadium against high flying Valladolid. This div 2a match takes place on Sat 26 Nov, ko 6pm. For regular updates on FC Cartagena, visit www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.