No deje de creer. By Steve.

DON'T STOP BELIEVING

FC CARTAGENA - 1 NUMANCIA CD - 0

BY STEVE HIBBERD

On the day that captain Mariano Sanchez notched up his 200th appearance (only 11 short of an all time record) for his home town club, Cartagena showed enough determination to beat a good Numancia side, reaffirming beliefs that promotion to la liga is very much achievable. Following on from last weeks horror show at Barca, manager Juan I Martinez made a number of changes to his side. New boy Jose Carlos was given his first start, whilst Goiria was recalled to partner Victor up front, but the most welcome sight of all was that of Cygan taking his place in the heart of defence. 

A fast and furious pace greeted the opening 45 mins, but in all honesty, neither keeper were tested throughout the 1st half. Numancia came close on 16 mins, but Pavon could only steer his shot into the side netting. A brilliant solo run by the impressive Herrero resulted in an inch perfect lay off to Victor, who drove just wide of the far post. Botelho came to his sides rescue on 24 mins, putting in a well timed block tackle on an opponent who seemed certain to open his account for the visitors. Towards the end of the half, the inspirational Mariano collected his 9th yellow card of the season, adding to a Cartagena career that had already clocked up 77, plus 6 reds (he's a pussy cat really!!).

It took only 3 second half minutes for Goiria's shot to test Navarro, requiring the Numancia keeper to make a fine diving save at the base of his post. Los Albinegros were looking threatening, so it was no surprise when the games only goal arrived on 54 mins. Victor put in a charming low cross inside the opponents penalty area, which was struck venomously first time by Toni Moral, shortly to be mobbed by team mates as the ball whistled into the back of the net. Midway through the half, Moral tried his luck again, only this time his 30 yarder flew high over the bar. It was now all Cartagena - Lafuente getting in on the action when his low fierce drive was well saved by Navarrro. Against the run of play, Numancia would have scored had it not been for an acrobatic save by Casilla, who did well to push aside a Jaio flick on from a free kick. On 77 mins, the 8,300 crowd erupted at the sight of top scorer Toche coming on as substitue, having been sidelined for over a month with a hamstring injury. 

It didn't take him long to get into the action, 3 minutes to be precise, but he unfortunately leaned back whilst kicking at an inch perfect cross from Goiria (who incidentally had his best game since arriving last summer), resulting in the ball skying over an open goal. Munoz (also on as a sub) had the final chance for the home side, when his fierce shot was well saved on 82 mins. Deep into 4 mins of added stoppage time, Casilla made a blinding save to deny a certain equaliser, then from their very next attack, Numancia shot wide of the post. This win pushes Cartagena up to 6th place, ahead of Xerez, who surprisingly lost at home to Cordoba.

FC Cartagena line-up

Casilla, Cygan, Mariano, Herrero (Clavero), Botelho, Lafuente, Moral (Toche), Goiria, Victor (Munoz), Pablo, Jose

Forthcoming Fixtures

Next Sat, 26th Feb ko 6pm, mid table Cordoba host Cartagena, in a match which the visitors will want revenge for a narrow defeat at Cartagonova Stadium back in September. Then, unusually for Spanish football, Cartagena host a midweek div 2a fixture. Cartagena v Tenerife is on Tues 1 Mar, with an earlier than usual midweek ko time of 8pm. For regular updates on FC Cartagena, check out www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.