DON'T STOP BELIEVINGFC CARTAGENA - 0 HERCULES CF - 0
BY STEVE HIBBERD
Although now 5th place in div 2a, promotion is still very much on the cards for Cartagena. Ok, with only 2 games remaining, and 2 points adrift from the last automatic slot, the odds have been drastically reduced, but as Jimmy Greaves once famously said - "It's a funny old game Saint!!". Following the weekends games, Real Sociadad are now promoted, leaving 4 teams fighting for 2 remaining places. The good news is that 2nd place Levante, visit 3rd place Real Betis on the last day of the season, meaning that if Cartagena can win next weeks match at Recreativo Huelva, then their final game at home to lowly Albacete will be massive. A capacity 15,000 crowd gathered inside Cartagonova Stadium, knowing full well that a defeat for either side would almost certainly mean that their promotion dream would be over for another season. Polica local escorted a dozen or so Hercules supporters coaches into the city (I should know, as I was stuck behind them!!), as they completed the relatively short journey from Alicante.
Within 5 mins, these blue and white hordes would have been celebrating their team opening the scoring, had it not been for a glaring miss by Danciulescu - shooting wide from close range, with the goal at his mercy. Although end to end stuff, the next notable incidents (highly controversial at that) didn't arrive till midway through the half. Ref David Torres controlled this match quintessentially, except for denying 2 clear cut penalties inside a minute. Toche was not only firmly pushed off the ball inside the area, but on trying to get to his feet, he was again given a nudge for good measure. Hercules then played the ball out of defence to Tote, who at speed was sent sprawling by a desperate Ruben. It appeared that having realised what a blunder he had made at one end, ref Torres evened it up by denying a spot kick at the other. Shortly afterwards, De Lucas let fly a scorcher from all of 25 yards, just easing over the Hercules cross bar. But it was Hercules who finished the half strongest. Ruben needed to get his body behind a powerful drive by Farinos, before Gomes saw his long range shot just miss the target.
Reading the match programme at half time, I noticed that amongst the Hercules substitutes was ex Pompey favourite Noe Pamarot (although he didn't get to come on). Now for the IF ONLY moment. Six mins into the 2nd half, an arcing cross by De Lucas was firmly headed onto the crossbar by Cartagena's Captain Marvel, Mariano, before being cleared upfield. Back came Hercules with a vengeance - sub Kiko having his goal bound shot deflected behind. At the other end, Victor just failed to reach a free kick at the far post. Cartagena manager JIM decided to shake the side up a bit, bringing on pacey front men Quintero and Balboa. With 10 mins remaining, De Lucas struck another good effort just over the bar, then in stoppage time, it was Hercules turn for shooting practice, when Danciulescu emulated the feat.
1. Real Sociadad 71 points
2. Levante 68
3. Real Betis 67
4. Hercules 65
5. Cartagena 65
Cartagena lineup
Ruben, Clavero, Mariano, Herrero, Toche, Lafuente (Quintero), Falcon (Longas), Etxeita, Victor (Balboa), De Lucas, Exposito
Forthcoming Fixture
For the final away trip of the season, Cartagena must venture almost to the Portuguese border - the Andalucian town of Huelva. Thankfully it doesn't clash with England's opening world cup match, for it's on Sun 13 Jun, ko 6pm. Recreativo Huelva v FC Cartagena should be one hell of a match! Visit www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com for regular updates on FC Cartagena.
BY STEVE HIBBERD
Although now 5th place in div 2a, promotion is still very much on the cards for Cartagena. Ok, with only 2 games remaining, and 2 points adrift from the last automatic slot, the odds have been drastically reduced, but as Jimmy Greaves once famously said - "It's a funny old game Saint!!". Following the weekends games, Real Sociadad are now promoted, leaving 4 teams fighting for 2 remaining places. The good news is that 2nd place Levante, visit 3rd place Real Betis on the last day of the season, meaning that if Cartagena can win next weeks match at Recreativo Huelva, then their final game at home to lowly Albacete will be massive. A capacity 15,000 crowd gathered inside Cartagonova Stadium, knowing full well that a defeat for either side would almost certainly mean that their promotion dream would be over for another season. Polica local escorted a dozen or so Hercules supporters coaches into the city (I should know, as I was stuck behind them!!), as they completed the relatively short journey from Alicante.
Within 5 mins, these blue and white hordes would have been celebrating their team opening the scoring, had it not been for a glaring miss by Danciulescu - shooting wide from close range, with the goal at his mercy. Although end to end stuff, the next notable incidents (highly controversial at that) didn't arrive till midway through the half. Ref David Torres controlled this match quintessentially, except for denying 2 clear cut penalties inside a minute. Toche was not only firmly pushed off the ball inside the area, but on trying to get to his feet, he was again given a nudge for good measure. Hercules then played the ball out of defence to Tote, who at speed was sent sprawling by a desperate Ruben. It appeared that having realised what a blunder he had made at one end, ref Torres evened it up by denying a spot kick at the other. Shortly afterwards, De Lucas let fly a scorcher from all of 25 yards, just easing over the Hercules cross bar. But it was Hercules who finished the half strongest. Ruben needed to get his body behind a powerful drive by Farinos, before Gomes saw his long range shot just miss the target.
Reading the match programme at half time, I noticed that amongst the Hercules substitutes was ex Pompey favourite Noe Pamarot (although he didn't get to come on). Now for the IF ONLY moment. Six mins into the 2nd half, an arcing cross by De Lucas was firmly headed onto the crossbar by Cartagena's Captain Marvel, Mariano, before being cleared upfield. Back came Hercules with a vengeance - sub Kiko having his goal bound shot deflected behind. At the other end, Victor just failed to reach a free kick at the far post. Cartagena manager JIM decided to shake the side up a bit, bringing on pacey front men Quintero and Balboa. With 10 mins remaining, De Lucas struck another good effort just over the bar, then in stoppage time, it was Hercules turn for shooting practice, when Danciulescu emulated the feat.
1. Real Sociadad 71 points
2. Levante 68
3. Real Betis 67
4. Hercules 65
5. Cartagena 65
Cartagena lineup
Ruben, Clavero, Mariano, Herrero, Toche, Lafuente (Quintero), Falcon (Longas), Etxeita, Victor (Balboa), De Lucas, Exposito
Forthcoming Fixture
For the final away trip of the season, Cartagena must venture almost to the Portuguese border - the Andalucian town of Huelva. Thankfully it doesn't clash with England's opening world cup match, for it's on Sun 13 Jun, ko 6pm. Recreativo Huelva v FC Cartagena should be one hell of a match! Visit www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com for regular updates on FC Cartagena.
We go cartagena !!
ResponderEliminarthanks you, Steve !!!
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