FC BARCALONA 'B' - 3 FC CARTAGENA - 0
BY STEVE HIBBERD
Back in early September, Cartagena played some scintillating football as they thrashed Barca, but last Saturday inside the mini stadium, they were taught a lesson in football by a set of youthful, talented world class players of the future. It's no coincidence that when ex Arsenal man mountain Cygan is out injured, then the side leaks goals. Without him and injured top striker Toche in the side, both defence and attack suffer big time. Winning against a poor Elche side last week, just papered over the cracks, in a team which at times seemed content to go through the motions - 10 individual outfield players were at times running around like headless chickens! Barca, managed by ex player legend Luis Enrique, on the other hand, were oozing with confidence, determination and above all, togetherness.
Urged on by great vocal support (a few hundred fanatics made the very long journey to watch their team play a 'B' side!), Cartagena would have gone behind inside the first minute, had it not been for an alert Casilla pushing a Thiago shot around the post. On 6 mins, Soriano wasted a great chance to put Barca ahead, shooting over with the goal at his mercy. It took 16 mins before the visitors troubled their hosts, when a fierce 25 yd Victor free kick was well saved by keeper Mino. A trademark Barca move on 18 mins, culminated in a Nolito assist finding Soriano, whose powerful shot gave Casilla no chance, as it squeezed just inside the post for the opening goal. Seconds later, Nolito almost doubled Barca's lead, but Casilla's legs blocked his goalbound effort. Soriano was becoming a real threat, and should have done better on 32 mins, but his weak free header was comfortably saved. A disappointing half for Cartagena was concluded when Victor, through on goal, uncharacteristically shot weakly enabling Mino to make a routine save.
Los Albinegros started the 2nd half positively, almost being gifted with an own goal, but a Dos Santos sliced clearance went behind for a corner. Cala got into the action on 52 mins, but his firm header from a corner flew the wrong side of the post. Indubitably, this was a purple patch for Cartagena, extended 4 mins later when Moral should have done better, but his close range effort was blasted over the bar. These misses were punished severely on 67 mins when a Nolito shot took a deflection off Cala en route to goal, as Casilla could only watch in horror, before the picking the ball out of the back of the net. Tello almost scored a 3rd for Barca, but his shot missed the target. A pin point cross by Cala on 82 mins, was comically headed sideways by substitute Goiria only 8 yards from goal, perfectly demonstrating why he has scored, and will probably finish the season with, a big fat ZILCH goals (what a donkey!!). The final 5 minutes play saw plenty of action, starting with Soriano missing a sitter following a goalmouth melee. Next, a fine Lafuente effort was pushed behind for a corner, before Nolito got his 2nd and Barca's 3rd, as he hammered home a cross from just inside the 18 yard box.
FC Cartagena
Casilla, Clavero, Mariano, Herrero (J Carlos), Botelho, Longas, Cala, Moral (Lafuente), Victor, Rodri (Goiria), Pablo
Forthcoming Fixture
Amazingly, Cartagena find themselves still in 7th position, and next week sees them play a home div 2a match against 10th place Numancia. Make a note of Saturday 19 February, ko 6pm, when the hosts will try make amends inside Cartagonova stadium, for an early season defeat at Numancia. Check out www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com for regular updates on FC Cartagena.
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FC Cartagena. Peña "Goto Cartago" fundada en 2002