ELCHE - THAT NARF HURT!
FC CARTAGENA - 1 ELCHE CF - 1
BY STEVE HIBBERD
Just when Cartagena thought that all 3 points were in the bag, a late momentary lapse of concentration in defence, gifted the visitors a share of the spoils.
Having said that, on the balance of play, a draw was probably a fair result, although Elche did win the contest on bookings 5-3 (no surprises there then!!). Elche just missed out on promotion last season, and probably this year will be in contention for a play off place, but their continued willingness to indulge in the uglier side of the game, once again won them few friends.
Indeed, it was Elche who should have taken an early lead, but with just the keeper to beat, Mantecon shot wide from close range after only 4 minutes. Midway through the 1st half, a blinding long range shot by Xumetra, brought off an equally good save from home keeper Reina.
From the resultant corner, Cartagena old boy Etxeita shot wide at the far post. Cartagena's first real chance of the game arrived after 26 minutes, when Collantes came oh so close, with a drive that just missed the target. At this point Cartagena noticeably stepped up a gear, and following a well worked move, Alvaro brought off a superb diving save from keeper Juan Carlos, then from the corner, Paz headed just over. It seemed the world that Pelegrin had put the visitors ahead on the stroke of half time, but his powerful point blank header was magnificently saved by Reina. Quick thinking by the home keeper, set up a threatening move, resulting in an inch perfect low cross by Toni Moral setting up Collantes, who made light work of a simple tap in for his 3rd goal of the season.
Inside 2 minutes of the new half, Alvaro could have made it 2-0, but his fierce drive from a Moral assist, was brilliantly pushed behind for a corner.
Elche were threatening in numbers, but it was Cartagena who were creating the more clear cut chances, none more so than on 51 minutes, when a delightful curling shot by goal scorer Collantes, squeezed past the post. Six minutes later it was Elche's turn to change the scoresheet, when a thundering shot by sub Loro fractionally missed the target. With 14 minutes of normal time remaining, failure by Paz (his 2nd costly error in as many weeks) to cut out a through ball, eventually found the foot of Xumetra, who calmly slotted it home from close range. Although Flano had a good opportunity to put Elche ahead on 84 minutes, it was the home side who had the last word in stoppage time, when a superb 25 yard free kick by Collantes, was once again expertly saved by the agile Juan Carlos. So, although Los Albinegros remain inside the relegation zone (3rd to bottom), signs are encouraging that it won't be long before a steady move up the table will materialize.
On Sunday 20 November, ko 8pm, Cartagena make a pleasant coastal trip along Southern Spain, when they play at recently relegated Almeria, in another div 2a fixture. For regular updates on FC Cartagena, visit www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com.
