El Cartagena vuelve a ganar. By Steve.

NO MORE DAYS OF HURT 

FC CARTAGENA - 2 CD NUMANCIA - 1 

BY STEVE HIBBERD 

It was 77 days since Cartagena last won a div 2a match - Sun 19 Feb, at home to Sabadell, to be precise. So, when Los Albinegros comprehensively disposed of mid table Numancia last Saturday afternoon, a massive feeling of relief amongst the 3,650 fans scattered around Cartagonova Stadium, was pretty much in evidence. The players wearing black and white striped shirts also showed their immense pleasure, for not only was this a huge psychological boost, but these 3 points lifted the club off the bottom, to within 9 points of safety. On Tues night (9.30 ko), they resume the abandoned Celta Vigo match, when the remaining 31 mins will be decided (score stands at 1-1). Then on Fri night (10.00 ko), they travel to the Canary Islands, where Las Palmas await with baited breath (both matches to be shown live on tv). 

With only 6 matches remaining, the odds are still heavily stacked against retaining div 2a status, but a nice little run of wins could make the seasons end interesting. Numancia completely dominated opening exchanges, with the lively Cedric into everything, including the refs black book for a handball offence. But by midway through the half, off target efforts by Paz and Moral, were an indication of how the game would swing in the hosts favour. An exquisite through ball by Collantes on the half hour mark, found Lafuente with space to run at the defence. The diminutive Jimmy Sommerville look alike, then executed an inviting inch perfect pull back from the dead ball line, for Braulio to side foot home at close range. Back came Numancia, when Cedric was oh so close to grabbing an equalizer, but he shot wide. A Rooney-esque over head bicycle kick by Toni Moral, was tipped around the post, then from the corner, a Collantes effort was wrongly disallowed for offside, as Cartagena seemed hell bent on getting a 2nd goal. 

From the very next attack Numancia equalized, following a well worked move, which Julio had the simple task of stroking the ball into an empty net. With 3 mins remaining on the clock, a rasping shot by Paz squeezed just inside the far post, to give Cartagena a deserved half time lead. Cartagena started the new half brightly, Collantes just missed the target on 55 mins, then Moral watched his powerful drive on 68 mins saved at the foot of the post. Although Cedric put in a good effort a min later, twas the hosts who should have extended their lead shortly afterwards, when Braulio rounded the keeper, but just ran the ball out of play. Apart from searching efforts by Collantes and Lafuente, the remainder of the half tamely reached its conclusion, leaving Cartagena to finish this disappointing season still with something to play for - just!!