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CADIZFC.NET
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BACK TO FIXTURES & RESULTS PREVIOUS GAME
The match started scrappily, and the strong wind meant both teams found it
hard to keep the ball under control. Enrique took on Bajic at every opportunity,
and his persistence paid off when he got his man booked and won a freekick in a
dangerous position, but unfortunately it came to nothing. Both teams seemed
cautious not to give a goal away cheaply, and although Xerez had nothing to play
for with regards to their league position, they were determined to prevent their
close rivals from gaining promotion. This was underlined when after 20 minutes
news filtered through on the hundreds of personal radios that Eibar had taken
the lead against Racing Ferrol, meaning they would leapfrog Cadiz if it remained
a stalemate at the Chapín. The home fans celebrated as if it was in fact Xerez
who had taken the lead, and the goal further underlined that a draw was unlikely
to be good enough. Five minutes The second half started and it was clear Cadiz were not going to sit back and
defend their slender advantage, and it took them only five minutes to double
their lead. Good work through the centre of midfield lead to an opening on the
right, and when the ball was played through to Enrique he got to the ball first
and went down under the challenge just inside the box. The referee looked at his
linesman, and after what seemed an age he pointed to the spot. Once again it was
centre back Abraham Paz who took the responsibility on his shoulders, and he
made no mistake from 12 yards. The goal sparked delirium in the stands, and the
fans finally started to realize how close they were to promotion. They were
further helped moments later when Bajic went through the back of Enrique,
earning him a second yellow card. News of the Racing Ferrol equaliser also
reached the supporters, and the ascent was looking closer by the minute. The 10
men of Xerez were still keeping Armando busy, but it was the visitors who looked
most likely to wrap up the win with a third after numerous breaks against the
desperately attacking Xerez. The As the coaches, cars and trains left Jerez, everyone headed to Cádiz city centre where thousands of people beeped their horns, sang more songs and waved there scarves and flags. The team returned from Jerez and were paraded in the city centre on an open top bus. The celebrations will not only go on until the early hours, but after the 12 year wait they will go on for weeks, right up until the first game of the 2005/06 Primera season.
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later, captain Oli relieved a lot of the tension with a 30 yard scorcher which
flew into the roof of the net past Iglesias. The home fans fell silent whilst
the Cadiz fans went crazy in the knowledge that if Armando kept a clean sheet
they would next year be welcoming Ronaldinho and David Beckham to the Carranza.
The goal settled the yellows, and instantly they started to keep better
possession, with Pavoni and Enrique especially causing problems and winning free
kicks in dangerous positions. One such freekick, about 35 yards out, was curled
in by Enrique and only needed the slightest touch from the on rushing pack, but
unfortunately it went straight through to the grateful Iglesias. It was not one
way traffic though and Armando had to be alert at the other end on more than one
occasion, especially when he had to palm behind a fierce shot which was heading
towards the far top corner. Half time arrived with the news that Celta were also
leading, meaning a Xerez equaliser would push Cadiz from 2nd to 4th, outside of
the promotion zone.
clearest chance came after a fine move released Enrique down the right, and his
first time cross was inch perfect for the on rushing Oli, but unfortunately the
captain headed over from 5 yards. The referee went off injured, and with the
score at 2-0 he got a generous round of applause from the visitors. Enrique went
down with cramp and was replaced by Dani Navarrete, whilst Bezares and Manolo
Perez replaced Suárez and Pavoni respectively. The only flicker of crowd
trouble came when some of the home fans in the Fondo Sur started ripping their
seats up and throwing them in frustration, but the authorities calmed down the
fans and by the time the final whistle went, there were probably as many
Cadistas in the ground as home fans. The celebrations in the stands lasted for
over half an hour after the final whistle, and with Alavés losing to Sporting
Gijon, Cadiz finished the season top of the league, with the most goals scored
and the least goals conceded. Celta Vigo may appeal against the 3 
points
they were docked last week, but as they secured promotion anyway it is unlikely
they will appeal to regain the points which would take them to the top of the
league. The police decided to keep the travelling fans inside the stadium for a
further 15 minutes to further reduce the prospect of crowd trouble outside the
ground, but the wait did little to dampen the spirits of the supporters who
continued to sing as loud as they had done for the previous two hours. 
