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12th of September 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 1: Cartagena v Alcalá de Guadiara

On paper, this should be a relatively comfortable game for us to start our league campaign, as today’s opponent is tipped for relegation. However, we carry through our penchant for profligate finishing and are held to a disappointing 0-0 draw. The game’s statistics reveal a telling story – 13 shots for us, but only 3 on target, so our opponent’s goalkeeper really wasn’t all that busy this evening. We looked good in midfield, but continued to lack a cutting edge up forward, and no matter my substitutions, we didn’t look like scoring today.

All in all, a disappointing draw, when I was looking for a good set of three points to start with.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Merino, Rambier (c), Conget; Silva, Trobbiani, Puig, Isach; Blinker (Gottardi 73); Loreto (Nacho GarcÃ*a 73).

Alcalá de Guardiara (4-4-2): Leiva; Aurelio (c), Silva, José Luis, Ricardo; Cárdenas (Orife 63), Andrés, Pavón, Vergara (Chato 74); Sanlúcar (Del Camp0 74), Sergio Borro.

Final score: Cartagena 0:0 Alcalá de Guardiara
MoM – José Luis

18th of September 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 2: Ceuta v Cartagena

Our first game of the season broadcast on television, and I’m not pleased. We are completely outplayed by Ceuta, who run riot over us through the entire game. It’s a surprise we only lose 2-0, as Ceuta are by far the better side and deservedly fashioned 26 chances for themselves. We barely broke over the half-way line, and when we did, Ceuta’s defence efficiently shepherded us into non-threatening positions. I try a tactical change after an hour to see if that could make a difference – it slightly makes us more threatening, but really, we are outclassed today. The first goal, by Pedro GarcÃ*a, comes courtesy of a mix-up in our defence after just 8 minutes when we fail to properly clear our lines. Luis Cembranos is allowed to run unhindered into our penalty box, before pulling it back for GarcÃ*a, who notices that Cembranos is basically unmarked and fires the quick return ball back to him. Cembranos doesn’t miss on 34 minutes. It could have been worse.

Ceuta (4-5-1): Jaime; Alfonso, Vivian, David (Alberdi 61), Juanma; Kuhl, Berruezo, Sorribas (c), Pedro GarcÃ*a (Kryos 72), Luis Cembranos; Basti (Maldonaldo 72).

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Merino, Rambier (c), Conget; Silva, Trobbiani, Puig (Gottardi 62), Isach; Loreto (Nacho GarcÃ*a 62).

Final score: Ceuta 2:0 Cartagena
MoM – Pedro GarcÃ*a

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The loss drops us to 16th place on the league ladder after two games. We need a win to bounce back.

26th of September 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 3: Cartagena v DÃ*ter Zafra

I’ve had eight days to stew over the loss to Ceuta, and as a result I drop the disappointing Loreto for Nacho GarcÃ*a, who looked more willing to work within my gameplan. We come out positively, and we score our first goal of the season on 15 minutes, when Trobbiani crosses from the right for the advantage of Óscar Silva, who volleys nicely into the back of Zafra’s net. Finally, something to smile about. Our second goal comes on 29 minutes when Zafra’s keeper Moisés punches the ball back into our possession, the ball is played around until it reaches Alain, who puts it in the path of Silva, who doesn’t miss. Nacho GarcÃ*a’s excellent work throughout the game is rewarded on 80 minutes when he is played on-side by DÃ*ter Zafra’s Juanra (who had played a good game until that point), and one on one with the keeper, GarcÃ*a prevailed. The game ended 3-0 to us, and it was a timely morale boost after shooting a blank on the opening day of the season and then being swept aside by Ceuta.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Merino, Rambier (c), Conget; Silva, Trobbiani, Puig, Isach; Blinker; GarcÃ*a.

DÃ*ter Zafra (4-4-2): Moisés; Regino, MacÃ*as, Maxi, Juanra; Juanjo, Zurdo (Mañas 55), Lozano, Chumi (Curro 36); ValentÃ*n, Fran Moreno (c) (Berto 67).

Final score: Cartagena 3:0 DÃ*ter Zafra
MoM – Óscar Silva

The win pushes us into 14th place on the ladder, after three games, being the last of five clubs to have four points for the season.

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Unfortunately, our win comes at a cost, with Eduardo Conget straining a neck (misses 5 days) and Puig suffering a chest injury (misses a week). That rules both of them out of our mid-week visit to Badajoz, which will be a tough game, given that our opponent is third, presently.

29th of September 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 4: Badajoz v Cartagena

Badajoz has been one of the early front-runners in our group, so this is going to be a tough game, particularly when I have a left back playing as a right back. It becomes worse when on 25 minutes, Alain picks up an injury and needs to be substituted, which means that Manu is playing in an unfamiliar left back role. Quickly realizing the error, I tell Juanmi and Manu to swap positions.

As might be expected, Badajoz dominate the game, peppering Iñaki’s goal with plenty of shots and ensuring he is very much in the game. But with Rambier and Merino combining well ahead of him, Iñaki is able to deal quite comfortably with what Badajoz throw at him. Up the other end, Nacho GarcÃ*a is working hard and causing some problems, but unfortunately on 58 minutes, I need to substitute him for Fran Nogueira when he picks up a knock. But Badajoz’s Guzmán makes a terrible mistake, conceding possession softly to Nogueira on 60 minutes, and he accepts the one-on-one challenge with the keeper and scores! I hope we can hold on to this slender and unexpected lead, but alas it’s not to be, as Badajoz when Josemi leaves his marker for dead, latches on to Hakkar’s pass and fires it past Iñaki. Both sides could have won this encounter but for some good keeping, but with low expectations coming into this match, I’ll take the 1-1 draw.

Badajoz (3-4-1-2): Casto; Tomillo, Carmona, Jano; Dani, Dani, Manel (Jorge 72), Armindo (Alejo 45); Nando; Guzmán (Hakker 72), Josemi.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain (Manu 25), Rambier (c), Merino, Juanmi; Silva, Piombo, Trobbiani, Isach; Blinker; Nacho GarcÃ*a (Fran Nogueira 58).

Final score: Badajoz 1:1 Cartagena
MoM – Iñaki

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The draw lifts us to eleventh place, five points off pace-setters Algeciras, and four points off the play-off places.

It’s bad news for Nacho GarcÃ*a, who will miss about a month with a sprained ankle. Alain has bruised ribs, but should be right to play our next game on the weekend.

1st of October 2004

3rd of October 2004

I am asked by the local newspaper whether, in my opinion, we’ll defeat today’s opponent Arenas C.D. Arenas have not made a good start to the season, and consequently their morale is quite low across the board. Nevertheless, only four games into this caper, I’m not yet bold enough to predict a whitewash, so I give the stock-standard answer of we’ll have a tough match on our hands, but in the end we should win.

Let’s hope the players can keep up their end of the bargain.

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 5: Cartagena v Arenas C.D.

Our first goal of the game comes in the 16th minute when Carlos Isach feeds Fran Nogueira down the right flank, and the veteran striker calmly strides into the box and shoots past the Arenas keeper. Some 13 minutes later, Alain prods the ball into the path of Óscar Silva, who sends a cross sizzling across the Arenas penalty box where Fran Nogueira is waiting. Our striker pounces and hits a drive towards goal. Arenas won’t be too pleased with their keeper, who fumbles the shot into the net for a 2-0 lead. Then, right on the stroke of half-time, clever play by Trobbiani releases Silva down the left flank, and he whips in a cross which the unmarked Regi Blinker controls coolly then slots past the keeper for his first goal of the season, and his first for Cartagena. Cue wild celebrations and a satisfied manager at half-time. We add a fourth on 70 minutes when Silva climbs highest to bullet a header past the Arenas keeper from Conget’s deep cross. A very good evening’s work, today’s game, and we look to be finding some form, particularly at home.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Merino, Rambier (c), Conget; Silva, Piombo, Trobbiani, Isach; Blinker (Uvi 66); Fran Nogueira.

Arenas C.D. (4-4-2): Manolo; Héctor, Moi Olivera, Jesús León, Garrido; Manuel, Kuni, Dani (s/o 32), Rufo (Vicente 79); David Hernández (c) (Cuqui 71), Luismi (Rafa Payán 71).

Final score: Cartagena 4:0 Arenas C.D.
MoM – Pablo Marcelo Trobbiani

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17th of October 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 6: Sevilla B v Cartagena

After a break of two weeks, we travel to Seville to play a rival club. Unfortunately, this match is decided by a single goal, and it goes to our host, when on 13 minutes Antonio Moreno is afforded too much room by my defenders and punishes us with a nicely taken goal. We actually make more chances than our host during the course of our game, but Sevilla B’s keeper does a good job when they’re on target, and we have too many shots that go wide to really trouble him. That’s been the story of our season so far, and we really need to find a striker who can hit the target often and well.

Sevilla B (4-4-2): Thorices; Fernando Vega, Palacios, David Prieto (c), Ortiz; Puerta (Pinto 46), Serrano (Lolo 46), Redondo, José Manuel; Guille, Moreno.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier (c), Merino, Conget; Silva, Piombo (Loreto 73), Trobbiani, Isach; Blinker; Fran Nogueira.

Final score: Sevilla B 1:0 Cartagena
MoM – Thorices

We drop a spot to eleventh, and are now 8 points off the pace, and four off the play-off places.

Regi Blinker strained neck muscles and will need six days on the sidelines.

20th of October 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 7: Cartagena v Éjica Balompié
Very disappointing match at home to Écija, who had two players sent off during the game. However, despite all our possession and dominance, we have only two shots on target, and both were comfortably dealt with by the Éjica keeper. We seem to run very hot and cold at the moment, and it’s intensely frustrating when my strikers seemingly forget how to hit the ball correctly.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier (c), Merino, Conget; Silva, Piombo, Trobbiani, Isach; Uvi (SÃ*vori 76); Fran Nogueira (Loreto 76).

Écija Balompié (4-4-2): Arrue; Zabala, Cardoso (s/o 18), Romerito (c), Miguel �ngel; Bautista (Espejo 82), Raúl Pichardo, Juan Ignacio (Jorge 74), �valo; Raúl (Ruiz 18), Montero (s/o 54).

Final score: Cartagena 0:0 Éjica
MoM – Miguel �ngel

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24th of October 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 8: Conquense v Cartagena

I make some slight tactical changes to the way my team plays, concentrating on keeping possession rather than playing a direct brand of football. I’m pleased to see us more than match our opponent on the field today, but again a lack of cutting edge up forward costs us a valuable three points today. To make matters worse, we won ourselves our first penalty of the season, but Fran Nogueira bottled it, blasting it straight at Conquense’s keeper. In a low standard game, in combination both sides made 20 chances, but only five were on target – two from Cartagena, including Nogueria’s missed penalty. We sorely need somebody in our set of forwards to step up and start scoring goals, else the playoffs will be out of reach by Christmas, at this rate.

Conquense (3-4-2-1-2): Iglesias; Galiano (Loperena 71), Jornet, Urraka (Rial 71); Zafra, Aritz, Barber (c), Luis; Lalo; José (Carlos 64), Alberto Alejandro.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier (c), Merino, Conget; Silva, Piombo (Puig 90), Trobbiani, Isach; Uvi (SÃ*vori 59); Fran Nogueira (Loreto 73).

Final score: Conquense 0:0 Cartagena
MoM – Iñaki

27th of October 2004

The Copa del Rey produces a big upset when Segunda Liga B club Badalona defeats Real Madrid 1-0, while Benidorm defeats Athletic Bilbao 2-1.

30th of October 2004

Ahead of this evening’s televised game between Extremadura and Cartagena, I decide to spice things up a little by saying publicly that I hope for a victory against the home team. To my satisfaction, my public comments seems to lift the spirits of the players, which have sagged a little after less than satisfying results.

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 9: Extremadura v Cartagena

Well, what a game we had today. I continued the tactics of playing the ball short and maintaining possession, but again our lack of cutting edge seemed to cost us considerably in front of goal. When Extremadura took the lead thanks to Rambier losing Pavone for a crucial split-second and Pavone sneaking through to score a good goal on 27 minutes, I thought that we would struggle to match our hosts, and began to regret my public pronouncement. Although Blinker was doing well in the hole behind my lone striker, his continued fascination with striking balls over the bar finally exceed my frustrations, and I substituted him for SÃ*vori. It was the substitution that turned the match. Moments after coming on, SÃ*vori bamboozled the Extremadura defence, turning his marker inside out before rounding the keeper and slotting home the equalizer on 59 minutes. Then on 78 minutes, with Cartagena a man down due to the dismissal of Alberto Merino for two yellow cards, SÃ*vori struck a sweet shot from the edge of the box to fire us into the lead. Five minutes later, he accepted a pass from Silva some 40 yards from goal, dribbled his way past his marker and slotted a nice goal to complete his hat-trick and seal a great victory for Cartagena, particularly since two of SÃ*vori’s goals came after we were reduced to ten men. Indeed, it looked like we had the numerical advantage! This time, the manager was pleased!

Extremadura (3-4-1-2): Pata; Nandi (Zamora 72), Luis Manuel, Alcázar; Gaizka, Roberto, Marco, Soler (c); Olivar (Cobos 74); Manuel, Pavone (Peri 72).

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier (c), Merino (s/o 75), Conget; Silva, Puig, Trobbiani, Isach; Blinker (SÃ*vori 57); Fran Nogueira (Manu 76).

Final score: Extremadura 1:3 Cartagena
MoM – SÃ*vori

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I get a message of congratulations from the Chairman of the Board, Señor Hernández for the big victory.

The win lifts us to ninth place, though we played our game a day earlier than the rest of the league, so if results go against us tomorrow, we could find ourselves back down in twelfth place again.

I discipline Merino for his sending off, too.

31st of October 2004

As things turn out, we go down to tenth place after the round of fixtures is completed.

Merino accepts that as a member of the club’s leadership group, he should show better judgment. He doesn’t quarrel with the warning I give him.

7th of November 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 10: Marbella v Cartagena

I’m fairly confident heading into this game that we have a good chance of notching up a valuable away victory, as Marbella are looking shaky this early in the season. My confidence is justified when we score the decisive opening goal in the 16th minute – a clever through-ball from Silva finds Fran Nogueira unmarked in the box and he has enough time to pick his spot and ram it home. We make the points safe on 43 minutes when SÃ*vori and Silva play a nice-one two that allows SÃ*vori to drop off his marker just long enough to blast the ball home from about ten yards. Marbella look to fight back in the second half to restore some pride, but their forwards lack confidence in front of goal and we chalk up a good 2-0 victory on the road.

Marbella (4-4-2): Ã�vila; Navarro, RÃ*os, Escudero, Salido (c); Cipri (Francis 54), C. Rivera, Dani Campos, Andrés (F. Rivera 21); Christian, Edu Espada (Herrera 69).

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier (c), Manu, Conget; Silva, Puig, Trobbiani, Isach; SÃ*vori; Fran Nogueira.

Final score: Marbella 0:2 Cartagena
MoM – Iñaki

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10th of November 2004

Stuart Baxter calls up Sipho Nunens to the South African squad for the friendly against Egypt.

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 11: Cartagena v Melilla

Unfortunately, we undo most of our good work against Extremadura in this mid-week game against Melilla. Although we have the better of the play over all, we again seem to lack a sharp presence up forward, with SÃ*vori looking tired and Nogueira ineffective. In all, a 0-0 draw is probably a fair reflection of the standard of play from both sides, as really neither deserved to win.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier (c), Merino, Conget; Silva, Puig, Trobbiani, Isach; SÃ*vori (Blinker 72); Fran Nogueira (Loreto 88).

Melilla (4-4-1-1): Balbuena; José Antonio, Jurado, Orta, Redondo; Irazoki (Mohamed 70), Abela (Luis 70), Fiores, Yamal; Guede; Mauri (c) (Chota 24).

Final score: Cartagena 0:0 Melilla
MoM – Jurado

Second round matches in the Copa del Rey are also played, and Atlético Madrid is stunned, away from home, by Alicante of the Segunda Liga B 2-1.

Romain Rambier gashed his head in our scoreless draw against Melilla and will miss three days.

12th of November 2004

I lose Trobbiani for a month as he tore a groin muscle in training today. The fans are not pleased, and neither am I, because he has been a very influential player for us, and the options to cover him are not up to the same standard.

13th of November 2004

Better news though as I can announce that right back Rafael Requena has agreed to join the club from Guijeolo. The scouts were impressed with him over a long period of time, and he certainly is one of the better right backs in this division that I’ve seen to date. He might be a bit pricey, and I’m concerned that he puts us almost £1,000 a week over the wage budget, which means I need to start trimming it before the board starts bleating to me about it. However, it allows Conget to move out of the right back position, where he has done well but isn’t entirely comfortable, and into a more natural midfield position.

We have a bona fide international in our midst as Sipho Nunens is a second half substitute for South Africa in their 3-3 draw with Egypt. He didn’t really touch the ball all too often, and he’ll need to pick up the pace if he is to force his way into the side if/when we’re promoted and/or play in the Copa del Rey.

14th of November 2004

Nunens keeps his place in South Africa’s squad for its forthcoming friendly against Norway.

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17th of November 2004

Nunens comes on as a 32nd minute substitute for South Africa against Norway and does quite well, but his team lose 3-1.

20th of November 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 12: Cartagena v Talavera

Against a club struggling against relegation this early in the season, I expect to bring home all three points. Therefore, I’m disappointed when we battle to an unconvincing 1-1 draw in front of the television cameras, who are training on Cartagena for the first time this season at home. To make things worse, Talavera take the lead on 55 minutes when the lively Thierry gets the better of Conget to sling in a dangerous cross for Estecha to nod home past Iñaki. Puig draws us level three minutes later when Blinker’s cross is nodded down to his advantage by Isach, but despite our best efforts, my forwards aren’t up to the task of giving us the lead and we leave the Estádio Municipal de Cartagena disappointed at dropping two points.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Merino, Rambier (c), Conget; Silva, Blinker, Puig, Isach; SÃ*vori; Fran Nogueira (Loreto 55).

Talavera (3-5-2): Santi Calvo; Gómez (c), Jiménez, Jordan; RÃ*o, Galán (Pedro 55), Uriel, Mata, Carmona (Ferrer 45); Thierry, Estecha (Lafuerza 55).

Final score: Cartagena 1:1 Talavera
MoM – Estecha

The draw drops us to eighth place on the ladder. We are nine points from the top of the league, and four points from fourth place.

27th of November 2004

My scouts have recommended that I go for Congolese forward Kali Ongala. He does look quite impressive with the ball at his feet, and I beat off interest from Elfsborg to snap up his signature on a player contract. At £1,000, his transfer fee isn’t excessive, and I hope that he can score some goals for us post-winter. Fortunately, he has a Swedish passport so will be able to play for the club from the get-go.

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28th of November 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 13: Tomelloso v Cartagena

I cannot wait until Ongala arrives at this club, as I seriously need some new strikers, because the players at my disposal at the moment cannot buy a goal, even from a crooked referee and without a goalkeeper in goal for the opponent. We did everything we could today to secure three points, including eleven shots on goal and 14 off-target. However, a combination of poor finishing, bad luck and great goalkeeping kept us out for a frustrating 90 minutes as the Tomelloso keeper played a blinder. It didn’t help matters that creative influence Carlos Isach was forced from the field on 38 minutes with a damaged shoulder, which necessitated a more defensive approach down the flank as I brought on Jordi. However, none of my strikers had any luck today.

Tomelloso (3-4-1-2): Rojas; Fernández Rodriguez, Cabezas, Novillo; Muñoz, Pelu, Andrés, Juanjo (Juli 61); Óscar (Luis 61); Pablo Lozano (Moreno 72), Javi Sanz.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier (c), Merino, Conget; Silva, Blinker, Puig, Isach (Jordi 38); SÃ*vori (Loreto 63); Fran Nogueira.

Final score: Tomelloso 0:0 Cartagena
MoM – José Vicente Rojas

1st of December 2004

The Board is pleased with my progress so far. To be truthful, so am I. It’s just frustrating I can’t find some strikers who can consistently score goals. My top scorers are Fran Nogueira and SÃ*vori, both on four goals (three of which came in the one match for the latter).

The registration period opens again. I put through the paperwork registering Nando Sanz as a player for Cartagena. It’s bad luck for Diego Gottardi, who is dropped out of the playing squad to make way for Sanz.

Sanz is on the bench for this evening’s crunch game against Lorca, who are two places above us on the ladder. We need the points to stay in touch with the top four.