El Cartagena pierde el vital derbi. By Steve.

CARTAGENA LOSE VITAL DERBY CLASH 

REAL MURCIA - 2 FC CARTAGENA - 1 

BY STEVE HIBBERD 

Not only did Cartagena lose against bitter Murcian rivals, but this narrow defeat plunged Carlos Rios men back to the foot of div 2a. With Huesca winning at Elche, the gap for safety has now increased to 8 points, and although there are still 33 points to play for, in reality, relegation is now looking a certainty. More than 400 Los Albinegros faithful helped swell the crowd inside the magnificent Nuevo Condomina to 13,000, hoping that a reversal of the home defeat suffered earlier in the season, could be achieved. Rios made 2 changes from last weeks draw against Girona - replacing Herrero with Txiki at the back, whilst Anton started up front for the injured Braulio. 

Only 7 mins had elapsed when Sanchez latched on to a delightful through ball at the edge of the penalty area, before striking it just inside the far post, to give the home side the lead. It didn't take long for parity to be restored. A powerful shot by Lafuente was parried by keeper Alberto, into the path of Torres, who made no mistake in tapping home his first goal of the season. Midway through the half, Real Murcia should have restored their lead, but somehow Sutil shot wide of an open goal. Just before the break, Collantes forced Alberto to pull off a good save at the foot of the post, from his fierce long range drive. Murcia started the 2nd half like men possessed, and were unlucky not to score on 49 mins when Rusa shot wide. 

Then, 2 mins later, Isaac missed a sitter when he shot over from close range, as the home side were proving a real (no pun intended!) handful. The games turning point occurred on the hour, following a reckless challenge by Dimas, which was rightly punished by a booking, his 2nd of the match, then the inescapable dismissal, leaving the visitors to play the remaining 30 mins with only 10 players. No one can dispute that Dimas is a class player, but this latest dismissal (his 2nd of the season) will kick start another suspension (his 4th of the season), which his team need like a hole in the head, when you consider the dire straits they are in!! From the resulting free kick, Juanma did well to push a goal bound shot away for a corner. On 68 mins, another move by the men from Murcia's capital city, resulted in Rusa heading just over, then 4 mins later, Juanma pulled off a wonder save on the line, as the 10 men clung on for their lives. 

Unfortunately it only delayed the inevitable, for just a min later, Ruso headed in a corner at the far post, giving his team a well deserved lead. The introduction of Moral seemed to galvanize Cartagena into more urgency. He saw his powerful free kick well saved, team mate Collantes put in 2 good efforts which deserved better, then in stoppage time, Moral blasted over the bar when in a good position to score, as Cartagena finished the game in a flurry. A visit from 2nd placed Celta Vigo, next await Cartagena on Sat 7 Apr, ko 6pm. For regular updates on FC Cartagena, check out www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.