Un buen Depor cae ante el Cartagena. By Steve.

DEPOR WELL AND TRULY TANGOED 

FC CARTAGENA - 2 DEPORTIVO CORUNA - 1 

BY STEVE HIBBERD 

Arriving in a kit of all orange, European champions league veterans, Deportivo fell victim to a rejuvenated Cartagena side, who have now gone 4 games unbeaten in div 2a. Now that new manager Javi Lopez has stamped his authority on a side which was predominantly assembled by his predecessor, the confidence, spirit, skill level and willingness to score goals. which was always in evidence under JIM (whose new club Levante are currently top of the la liga, ahead of Real Madrid and Barcalona), has now returned. This Thursday night victory, (rearranged from the opening day, due to players strike action), in front of 7,500 fans, was greeted by rapturous applause from partisan fans who appreciate good football when they see it. 

High drama inside the 2nd minute, when through on goal, Alvaro was pulled back just outside the box. Referee Pino Zamorano was about to send off the offender and award a free kick to Cartagena, before a linesman's flag for offside forced him to reverse his decision, much to the outrage of a bewildered set of fans. Toni Moral, yet again my man of the match, could easily have been awarded a penalty when brought down inside the box on 20 mins, but unfortunately the ref decreed that the Catalonian had dived, and for good measure showed him a yellow card. Alvero put in the games first real shot on goal 10 mins later, but his long range effort was fractionally too high. As the home side started to take control, Depor started to loose their discipline, resulting in Vezquez being their only caution for a crude challenge on Moral. 

The opening goal on 42 mins, was awesome. Collante collected the ball some 30 yards from goal before unleashing a swerving powerful drive, giving keeper Aranzubia no chance as it nestled in the back of the net - get in there you beauty!! No sooner had I settled back in my cozy little press box for the start of the 2nd half, than it was 2-0. With virtually the first attack, Cartagena were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Alvero stepped up to take the kick, and to the delight and disbelief of all inside Cartagonova Stadium, bent the ball around the wall before squeezing just inside the near post. Depor were deeply wounded and wanted revenge. Lassad shot just over, before on the hour mark they reduced the deficit. A harmless looking cross by Ricky deceived all home defenders, before sailing over the head of keeper Reina and into the net. Ten minutes later, Depor should have equalized, but thankfully sub Saul failed to get a foot on a Bodipo cross, only 2 yards out from an open goal. Now it was Javi Lopez men who turned ugly, with both Dimas and Herrero picking up booking for fouls, as Depor made wave after wave of assaults on goal. Deep into stoppage time, Cartagena unused sub Gaspar, still sitting on the bench, was controversially sent off, for presumably comments made to the match officials.