BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
NASTIC TARRAGONA - 2 FC CARTAGENA - 0
BY STEVE HIBBERD
This substandard performance by an unorganised Cartagena side, adds to an unwanted catalogue of away day blues, which come the seasons end, could scupper any div 2a play off aspirations they might have held. To make matters worse, super striker Toche limped off midway through the 2nd half with another injury, plus captain Mariano picked up his 10th booking of the season and will now sit out the next match. Lowly Tarragona looked the more hungry of the 2 sides, although both were guilty of producing an exceptionally high number of wayward passes.
The 6,000 fans inside Nou Estadi were treated to the opening goal on 25 mins, which up to then had never looked like happening. Once again, it was a poor clearance from defence which set up the chance for Mairata, who gratefully slammed home a loose ball past a wrong footed Casilla from 10 yards. It could have got worse 9 mins later, but a firm appeal for a penalty resulting from a reckless challenge by Clavero, was not upheld. Casilla came to his teams rescue moments later, pushing away a fierce 20 yard drive. Cartagenas' first real chance arrived on 41 mins, Clavero forcing an important save from his accurate close range effort. This seemed to wake his team mates from their slumber, for leading up to the break, an ok Victor effort signalled fresh urgency, which beforehand had been sadly lacking.
Los Albinegros started the 2nd half in the same vein, Moral seeing his long range drive well saved. An off the ball incident on 53 mins, should have produced a penalty to the visitors, but a blatant barge/push/shove on Toche was presumably not seen (or maybe it was more convenient to ignore it - a bit like a certain Mr Rooney's thuggish elbow in the face, which as we all know was never a sending off offence!!!). This proved to be Toche's last piece of the action before being subbed by Goiria, who came on the pitch, then on 93 mins came off again - that, ladies and gentlemen, just about sums up his contribution!! Goal number 2 on 70 mins was a cracker! From fully 30 yards, Moran hit a lovely swerving shot, which looped over the head of Casilla, before nestling in the back of the net. First Botelho, then Victor had decent efforts from free kicks comfortably saved, as the visitors finished the stronger of the 2 sides, but overall Nastic thoroughly deserved their victory, leaving Cartagena manager JIM to arrange a back to basics team talk with his woefully under performing squad.
FC Cartagena line-up
Casilla, Txiki, Cala (Rodri), Cygan, Clavero (Jose), Longas, Mariano, Botelho, Moral, Victor, Toche (Goiria)
Forthcoming Fixture
Next up for Cartagena is a home match against northern Spain side Huesca. This div 2a match takes place at Cartagonova Stadium on Sat 12 Mar, ko 6pm. Regular updates on FC Cartagena can be found by visiting www.nosoloefese.es, www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.
