CROWD TROUBLE CAUSES ABANDONED MATCH
FC CARTAGENA - 1 CELTA VIGO - 1 (ABANDONED AFTER 59 MINS)
BY STEVE HIBBERD
A missile thrown from the main grandstand inside Cartagonova Stadium, which struck linesman David Escribano on the head, resulted in the ref Pino Zamorano abandoning this div 2a encounter. Up to then, Cartagena had been playing possibly their best football of the season, against a strong Celta Vigo side, who are looking good for promotion to La Liga. But now, the distribution of the 3 points available from this match, will depend on the verdict of the competition committee, who will decide when and where to play the remaining 31 mins. Controversial FIFA referee Zamorano, his 9 red and 110 yellow cards this season, make him pretty well the most infamous official in Spain (or Europe come to that!!), had previously warned Cartagena's delegate regarding a water bottle that had been thrown onto the pitch late on in the 1st half, insisting that a message be given to the crowd that a further incident would result in the match being abandoned.
When his assistant was struck by an unknown missile (the club doctor has indicated that the mark on his head, was probably caused by a coin), Zamorano immediately suspended play, instructing players and officials to return to the dressing rooms. Even though the wound was minimal (it had not broken the skin), he felt it necessary to inform the 6,000+ fans gathered inside the ground, that play would not continue.
Up to then, the fans had been treated to a cracking game of football, in which the visitors had taken a early lead. Only 3 mins had elapsed, when a left wing cross found Bernejo unmarked at the far post. His looping header across the face of goal beat keeper Juanma, before easing inside the far post, as thoughts of 'here we go again' entered Los Albinegros fans minds. Fortunately, a positive reaction ensued, when first Lafuente struck a powerful drive over the bar, then a Braulio header met the same fate, before the games first 'talking point' took place.
A clear looking penalty shout for handball was turned down, then from the next attack, Braulio put the ball in the net, only for senor Escribano to raise his flag for offside (correctly in my opinion!). Lafuente repeated his earlier near miss, before fellow Cartagena team mates Torres and Moral were booked, as the game entered a bad tempered phase. Cartagena and Chelsea old boy De Lucas, had the final word of the 1st half, when he found himself in a 1 on 1 situation with Juanma, but the quick thinking keeper did well to venture outside his area and block his shot.
In the 48th min, defender Sanjurjo became the 1st Celta player to pick up a yellow card for a crude foul on Collantes, some 25 yards from goal.
Up stepped Toni Moral to superbly curl a fabulous free kick around the defensive wall, and just inside the near post, to give his team a deserved equalizing goal.
So, now it's a matter of 'wait and see', but all Cartagena fans will be keeping fingers firmly crossed that possible sanctions involving ground closure or a heavy fine, will not be imposed. The good news on a bad day for football, was that all 4 teams involved in the relegation dogfight with Cartagena, lost their matches.
All eyes will be in on Cartagena fans at their next fixture - a visit to div 2a bad boys, Elche! The short trip up AP7, will take place on Sat 14 Apr, ko 4pm, and will also be shown live on Marca tv. For further info on FC Cartagena, check out www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolcartagena.com.
