Después del sufrimiento llegó un valioso punto. By Steve.

SPIRITED DISPLAY EARNS PRECIOUS POINT

AD ALCORCON - 0 FC CARTAGENA - 0

BY STEVE HIBBERD

When after only 7 mins on the clock, centre back Cala received his marching orders for a professional foul, leaving Santo Domingo Stadium with a point seemed a remote possibility, but a combination of gritty defensive play plus poor finishing by the opposition resulted in Cartagena doing just that. Los Albinegros away form has been poor of late, and if their play off dreams are to become a reality, then at least a point must be picked up on the road. Mid table Madrid based Alcorcon are competing in div 2a for the first time in their history, having last season knocked out their more illustrious neighbours Real Madrid from the Spanish FA cup, commanding regular sell out crowds inside their tiny 3,000 capacity ground. 

There can be no complaints when Cala sacrificed himself, for had he not brought down the dangerous Montanes just outside the penalty area, the Alcorcon striker would probably had gone on to score. Within 10 mins, a further 2 visiting players (Mariano and Munoz) had received cards (yellow this time) for no nonsense cynical fouls, designed to break down attacking moves. Twas the upright that came to their rescue on 26 mins, following a free header from the unmarked Quini. Casilla pulled off the first of many vital saves on 40 mins, diving to his right to push away an Angel drive for a corner. Constant Alcorcon pressure for the remainder of the half, failed to find a way past a determined, well organised rearguard, who must have breathed a sign of relief when half time eventually arrived.

Within a min of the new half, keeper Casilla pulled off a brilliant double save from Aluni, the first a header which looked destined for the back of the net. There appeared no let up from an incessant Alcorcon barrage, with Casilla saving his side time and time again. In a 5 min period, Alcorcon tore their opponents to shreds. On 52 mins, Mora saw his shot well saved, before Borja shot over from 5 yards with the goal at his mercy. A deflected shot produced a sublime reaction save from Casilla, then it was Borja again who tested the overworked custodian. Txiki became the 3rd visiting player to pick up a booking, as desperate measures were the order of the day. Substitute Clavero cleared a goal bound shot following a goalmouth scramble on 68 mins, as it appeared only a matter of time before Cartagena eventually capitulated. Botelho provided the only real goalscoring opportunity for the visitors, but his fine long range effort took a deflection, before skimming the cross bar. Deep into stoppage time, a challenge on Alcorcons keeper by sub striker Goiria, resulted in another booking for Cartagena, although it did eat into valuable playing time, as seconds later a long blast from the whistle must have been music to the ears of 10 battle weary visiting players.

FC Cartagena line-up

Casilla, Txiki, Cygan, Cala, Botelho, Mariano, Jose Carlos (Clavero), Moral, Munoz, Victor (Julien), Toche (Goiria)

Forthcoming Fixture

On Sat 26 Mar, ko 6pm, Cartagena host Villarreal 'B' at Cartagonova Stadium for another div 2a match. This 7th v 8th place encounter, will also be shown on digital tv station 7RM. For regular updates on FC Cartagena, check out www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.