Vuelve la alegría. By Steve.

THAT'S MORE LIKE IT

ALBACETE BALOMPIE - 1 FC CARTAGENA - 2

BY STEVE HIBBERD

It might be a tad too late to qualify for a div 2a play off slot, but the men from submarine city secured their first win for 5 matches, hopefully restoring a hunger for success With only 6 games of the season remaining, this victory has moved Los Albinegros up to 8th place on 52 points, but with Barcelona 'B' ineligible for promotion, the team that finishes in 7th will qualify for the play offs. At the other end of the table, defeat pushed Albacete closer to the relegation trap door. The next 2 matches are of vital importance, for both are against basement clubs. On Sat 7 May, ko 6 pm, already relegated Ponferradina visit Cartagonova stadium, then the following Thurs 12 May, ko 9.30 pm, Cartagena fly to the Canary Islands, where Las Palmas await their presence.

Only 4 mins had elapsed before the visitors went a goal behind. A rare slip by Frenchman Cygan, gifted ex Cartagena striker Tato a clear run at goal, which he coolly finished off with a clinical drive past Casilla. Five mins later, a perfect cross by Moral found an unmarked Toche, who with the goal at his mercy, delayed sufficiently for a covering defender to clear the danger. Moments later, another superb assist (this time Victor was the provider) found Toche in a 1 on 1 situation, but his hurried shot was easily saved by keeper Navas. At the other end, Casilla came way out of his area to depose Tato, who had seemed certain to double his tally. But you can't keep a good man down, for on the half hour mark, acting captain Victor fed Toche inside the penalty area, and although the expert marksman's first touch was poor, he was allowed a second bite of the cherry, which he gratefully accepted by slamming the ball home. Towards the end of the half, Victors' dipping long range effort eased just over the cross bar.

Cartagena started the new half it fine fettle. Victor was playing out of his skin, and his pin point cross onto the head of Toche should have seen a better reward, but alas the ball went horribly wide. An offside flag came to the visitors rescue on 62 mins, with video evidence showing that the decision to disallow a 2nd Albacete goal was correct. This let off proved to be a wake up call, for less than 2 mins later, that man Victor scored with another of his wonder goals, expertly excecuting an inch perfect chip over a stranded keeper. At the end of normal time, Toche forced Navas into a brilliant save, before stout defending by a massed Cartagena defence prevented an undeserved equaliser deep into stoppage time.

Although unable to make the journey to Albacete, watching the game live at Restaurant Goyo's in Quesada on 7RM tv big screen had it's rewards, for whilst the game was played through wind and torrential rain, I was indulging in the superb hospitality within (sometimes being an armchair supporter does have its benefits!). For regular updates on FC Cartagena, check out www.nosoloefese.es, www.gotocartago.com or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.

FC Cartagena line-up

Casilla, Exposito, Cygan (Cala), Pablo, Botelho (Clavero), Moral (Jose), Longas, Toche, Victor, Lafuente, Julien