TEN MAN CARTAGENA STAND FIRM
CD NUMANCIA 0-0 FC CARTAGENA
BY STEVE HIBBERD
For the 3rd consecutive week, a match involving FC Cartagena was void of goals. Cartagena have never won at Los Parjaritos Stadium, and although they came away with a vital point, hosts Numancia never looked in danger of losing this unbeaten record. The only change from last weeks draw against Valladolid, saw Marc Fernandez replace Toni Moral.
In the 37th minute a goalkeeping error from a Kijera center, almost lead to Anton taking the lead for Cartagena.
A 40th minute corner by Julio Alvarez embarrassed the Albinegros defence, and when Mariano Sanchez tried to clear, the ball fell to Juanjo, whose shot went just wide. Cartagena responded with a Marc Fernandez center, which Goiri just failed to get a touch on. Then Fernandez fired a volley from the edge of the area, which went fractionally wide of the far post. In 1st half stoppage time, a Nieto cross from the left found Cedric, who forced the ball just past an unguarded Cartagena goal.
Five minutes into the 2nd half, Álvaro Antón unleashed a fierce drive from the edge of the area, but alas it went wide. Collantes, first took a corner from which Goiri should have opened the scoring, but he scuffed his shot, then with an effort from close range, brought out a great save from the goalkeeper.
On 58 mins, Txiki fouled Cedric and, as he was the last defender, had to go for an early shower, leaving his Cartagena team mates to struggle on without his services.
Manger Javi Lopez was forced to restructure the team, and although they were fortunate not to concede a penalty, Cartagena defended stoutly. So, although another clean sheet must please Lopez, the lack of goals surely equally worries him. Unfortunately, fellow relegation threatened teams also picked up points, leaving Los Albinegros in joint bottom place on 12 points.
Next Sat 10 Dec, ko 6pm, Cartagena face 9th place Las Palmas at Cartagonova Stadium, in another div 2a encounter.
