Si perdonas lo pagas. By Steve.

MISSED CHANCES PROVE COSTLY 

FC CARTAGENA - 1 REAL MURCIA - 2 

BY STEVE HIBBERD 

Having completely dominated the first half, Los Albinegros went on to rue not adding to their goal tally, as Real Murcia made them pay, even though the best team lost (I would say that wouldn't I!!). As you'd expect from a local derby, this game was a blood and guts affair, complete with a total of 9 bookings and a sending off. Manager Javi Lopez kept the same team which beat Deportivo only 3 days before, and after only 32 seconds they should have taken the lead. A glorious through ball by Toni Moral found Alvero in a 1 on 1 situation, but his shot was easily saved. In front of 12,000 expectant fans on a sunny Sunday afternoon, Dimas shot high over the bar on 8 mins, before a great move saw Alvero have a goal bound shot deflected for a corner. 

Lafuente was next to test the keeper on 19 mins, who again came to his sides rescue in a half of one way traffic. The breakthrough arrived on the half hour mark courtesy of Alvero, following up a Dimas power drive which fell invitingly at his feet, to smash into an open goal. An audacious free kick from the half way line by Paz just eased over the bar, as Cartagena ended the opening half on a high. Only 2 second half minutes had elapsed, when Collantes through on goal, forced another super save from Real Murcia's custodian, then from the rebound, Dimas rising shot just missed the target. Real Murcia squared the proceedings through a well judged back header by Jorge, directly from an expertly floated free kick. 

On 70 mins the visitors had taken the lead, a carbon copy of their 1st goal, only this time it was Garcia who finished of the move. If the 1st half was all the black and white side of Murcia, it was definitely the red half that were controlling the 2nd, and only keeper Reina prevented the visitors extending their lead, when he made a superb save from Garcia. With time running out, Txiki looked to have scored an equalizing goal, but his long range drive was well saved. On the stroke of normal time, matters got whole lot worse for Cartagena, when defender Dimas was given a straight red for a professional foul. Next up for Cartagena is a trip to northern Spain, to play Celta Vigo on Sat 5 Nov, ko 6pm. For regular updates on FC Cartagena, check out www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.