Toché evita el desastre. By Steve.

TOCHE STOPS THE ROT

FC CARTAGENA - 1 REAL VALLADOLID - 1

BY STEVE HIBBERD

Once again, top scorer Toche came to his teams rescue, this time scoring a late equalizer that ended an unwanted run of 3 consecutive defeats.

Where would Cartagena be without the vital points, which Toche's invaluable goals have helped provide? Apart from veteran striker Victor and attack minded defender Botelho, there has been no one else who has been able to fill his boots during lengthy periods of injury. One player brought in to do just that, has been such a huge disappointment, that more than a few fans amongst the 8,855 crowd, were seen to wave white handkerchiefs when senor Goiria made a late substitute appearance.

With Cygan (suspended) and Cala (injured) missing, a makeshift defence of Mariano and Pablo (central) plus Botelho and Txiki on the flanks were struggling to contain the electric pace of Valladolid's attack. To make matters worse, Txiki was injured during the build up to the visitors’ goal on 4 mins, leaving the field shortly after Guerra had scored. It was only the brilliance of keeper Casilla who kept Cartagena in the game, his vital saves keeping Valladolid at bay time and time again. Only 10 mins of normal time remained, when Toche latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the box, sending a ferocious volley into the back of the net.

FC CARTAGENA LINE-UP

Casillas, Txiki (Exposito), Pablo, Mariano, Botelho, Lafuente (Goiria), Julien (Munoz), Longas, Moral, Riga, Toche

It seems that whilst I have been away in the far east, play off ambitions for Cartagena have all but disappeared, as they have now slipped to 9th in the table on 49 points, whilst Valladolid are still in contention in 7th on 53 points. Meanwhile, back in Malaysia, I took in the final super league match of my holiday. With Selangor away at Sabah (Borneo), I made my first visit to Bola Sepak stadium, and watched Kuala Lumpur play Felda United. Not only do KL play in red/white striped shirts, but the band played, and fans sung, ‘when the saints go marching in’, which for a Pompey fan is a good enough reason not to ever be going there again!!

Next up for Cartagena is a visit to relegation threatened Albacete. This div 2a match is scheduled for Sat 30 Apr, ko 6pm, and will be shown live on 7RM tv.