Raimondi devuelve la esperanza. By Steve.

RAIMONDI BAGS A BRACE 

UD LAS PALMAS - 1 FC CARTAGENA - 2 

BY STEVE HIBBERD 

These 3 priceless points gained last Fri night in the Canary Islands, coupled with a useful 1-1 draw in the resumed previously abandoned match with Celta Vigo the previous Tues, gave Cartagena an unexpected lifeline in their quest for div 2a survival. So that's now 7 points from a possible 9, pushing Carlos Rios men up to only a point off 3rd to bottom team Alcoyano, and with 5 matches still to play, a fighting change of avoiding the drop. The rescheduled game against Celta might only have lasted for 31 mins (yes, here in Spain, any abandoned match restarts with the number of minutes remaining on the clock - and with a drop ball at the place it was last in play!), but the hectic end to end play, resembled that of a 20/20 cricket match. Braulio hit a scorcher on 76 mins (17 mins real time), that rattled the post before bouncing to safety. 

 With only 6 mins remaining, ex Cartagena and Chelsea star De Lucas hit a beauty, which home keeper Reina acrobatically tipped over the bar, ensuring that Celta made the long trip back to Galicia with only 1 point for their efforts. Encouraged by 2 great results, Cartagena started brightly in Gran Canaria Stadium, making 3 penetrating runs in the first 5 mins. As the home side settled down, so did their confidence to attack, and they deservedly took the lead on 14 mins. A delightful through ball by Viera found Momo, who expertly chipped the on rushing Reina. Back came Cartagena, with Braulio being centre stage. First off, he had a testing 20 yard shot well saved, then from the corner, his firm header inched over the bar. Reina came to his sides rescue on 34 mins, when he somehow tipped a goal bound effort by Viera onto the far post. With 45 mins almost up, visiting keeper Reina did it again, this time pulling off a majestic save from Portillo. Las Palmas should have scored within 2 mins of the restart. 

Portillo forced yet another save from Reina, then from the very next attack, Viera sent a delightful chipped shot just wide of the post. On 52 mins, Braulio looked to be bundled over inside the penalty area, but unfortunately the ref could not see what I could on live tv! Cartagena then made a vital double substitution, Raimondi and Josemi making an entrance, and it was the Peter Crouch look alike Raimondi, who made an immediate game changing impact. The ever improving Braulio provided a glorious assist, from which super sub Raimondi expertly chipped over LP keeper Barbosa, and level the scores on 64 mins. Ten mins later, Reina prevented Vitolo from putting the home side ahead, as the game took on a frantic feel to it. Then with 3 mins remaining on the clock, Cartagena went and won it. Collantes provided an accurate cross, which Paz pulled back from the dead ball line to Raimondi. The likeable Uruguayan then blasted home from close range, before being mobbed by overjoyed team mates. Games are now coming thick and fast for Los Albinegros. 

On Weds 16 May, ko 9pm, mid table Xerez visit Cartagonova Stadium for another highly important div 2a fixture. Another winnable match follows on Sat 19 May, ko 6pm, when Cartagena make the long trip to northern Catalonia to play another mid table side, Huesca.