Los tipos buenos ganaron. By Steve.

AND THE GOOD GUYS WON

ELCHE CF - 1 FC CARTAGENA - 2

BY STEVE HIBBERD

Revenge is sweet!! Cartagena have waited over 5 months to put one over arch rivals Elche, following an early season undeserved defeat against Spanish football's bad boys. Three successive defeats had seen Los Albinegros slip outside the play off slots, but this hard fought victory lifts them up to 7th place on 35 points (good enough, as 6th place Villarreal 'B' are ineligible to qualify). Fantastic scenes greeted the final whistle, as grateful visiting players showed their appreciation to over 1,000 travelling fans, mustered in the top tier of the impressive Martinez Valero stadium. Manager JIM gave a debut to ex Real Betis 'B' midfielder Rodri, who along with Schmoller from Brazilian side Brasilense and Jose Carlos from Seville 'B', had arrived at the club during the January window.

Early play was scrappy, littered with many passes which went astray, and it wasn't until the 17th min before first Elche's Samuel, then Lafuente, blasted over the bar, in what could be loosely termed as shots on goal. Elche continued from where they left off at Cartagonova stadium, targeting mainly Victor for nasty off the ball fouls. The games opening goal arrived on 35 mins when Victor was blatantly tripped in the penalty area, then dusted himself off to coolly dispatch the resultant spot kick. Elche keeper Caballero performed heroics by tipping over a Victor chip, then a goal bound Mariano diving header was cleared behind for a corner, before poor defending by the visitors presented Elche with an equaliser. A low cross from the right was allowed to reach the unmarked Angel, who made no mistake of planting the ball just inside the far post on 43 mins.

Both sides came out for the 2nd half determined to take no prisoners, as ref Lopez continued to regularly book players wearing both green/white and black/white. Elche looked more likely to score, but were prevented by the brilliance of Casilla who pulled off superb diving saves on 51, and again on 64 mins. On 68 mins, Elche's madman of a manager (JIM's cousin), ranted and raved once too often and was sent from the dugout. Botelho headed over from Victors cross on 72 mins, before another Casilla wonder save denied a powerful 25 yard free kick giving Elche the lead soon after. But, on 78 mins, that man Victor converted a low cross from Rodri, to score what proved to be the winning goal. Not surprisingly the remainder of the game saw more bookings than chances on goal, with the exception of another vital save from Casilla at his near post, making sure that Cartagena secured a much needed 3 points.

FC Cartagena line-up

Casilla, Cygan (Cala), Mariano, Herrero, Botelho, Longas (Julien), Lafuente (Txiki), Moral, Victor, Rodri, Pablo

Forthcoming Fixture

On Sat 12 Feb, ko 4pm, Cartagena are away at 8th place Barcelona 'B', for another important div 2a fixture. Back in September at Cartagonova stadium, Los Albinegros recorded an emphatic 5-1 victory, and more of the same would do very nicely thankyou! For regular updates on FC Cartagena, check out www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.