UD LANZAROTE 2 CACEREÑO 1
1st March 2010
Astonishing! U.D. Lanzarote have been in the relegation positions since September and hit rock bottom on the 11th of October when the Rojillos were thrashed 5-0 by this same side.
Jotha with his 30 yard wonder goalWith this victory the Conejeros (locals) not only move out of the four automatic relegation positions but have avoided the 5th from bottom spot which entails a horrible two legged affair with a hungry third Division side in a play off to remain in Spain’s bronze league.
The game kicked off at an amazing pace and within the first minute Lanzarote believed they had taken the lead. Striker Carlitos flicked on the ball in the heart of the oppositions 18 yard box and Toñito latched onto the pass and fired it home only for the linesman to wave his flag for offside.
The Rojillos dominated possession in the opening stages but rarely threatened. The side from the Extremadura region of Spain seemed happy to sit back and soak the pressure and try and catch the Conejeros on the break.
The first strike in anger was hit sweetly from 25 yards by Jotha. The Cacereño keeper was alert and tipped the ball over for a corner.
In the 38th minute Jotha floated in an inch perfect free kick into the danger zone and Carlitos´s guided header was finger tipped onto the inside of the post and away to safety by the visitors keeper, Polo.
Only a minute had lapsed and the Lanzarote Captain Vladimir unluckily picked up his second yellow card and the Rojillos were forced to play more than half the match with only 10 men.
Importantly Lanzarote saw out the remaining six minutes of the half and went into the break with the game scoreless.
Ten seconds into the second half and the Lanzarote defence were caught napping. Midfielder Rocha found himself through with only Vilches, the Lanzarote keeper to beat. The captain of his side calmly stuck the ball away low into the bottom left hand corner giving his side a 0-1 lead.
These days, the Rojillos rarely crumble and the ten men with temperatures topping the mid 20´s battled on and looked the more likely to score the next goal.
In less than five minutes the Conejeros were level in spectacular fashion at one apiece. Following a corner, the ball fell to Lanzarote´s vice captain Jotha and the ex Real Madrid star hit a dipping volley into the top right hand corner leaving the keeper motionless and sending the home fans into a wild frenzy.
On the injury front Rubén Rodriguez, Jonathon Torres are fit. Barnsley boy Ian Robinson went for a scan in Tenerife last week on his injured knee and got the all clear though he will miss the next match. Vladimir will miss the next two games by picking up his 5th yellow card and being sent off. The Lanzarote captain shouldn’t be too disappointed as he would need a week off due to a knee problem, now he has been forced into two weeks rest which I am sure will only serve to better his injury. Striker Rosmen will still be out for at least another six weeks with his broken foot.
At the other end of the table Alcorcón remain top five points ahead of Real Oviedo. Gran Canarian side Universidad is in third with Guadalajara occupying the last play off spot.
The joyous Lanzarote back room staff happy at last after months of painThe home side opened the scoring in the 7th minute. A corner viciously swung in from the Lanzarote´s keepers left found Borja Navarro. The striker’s well timed glancing header left keeper Vilches motionless as the ball flew into the roof of the net.
With the score 1-0 to the home side Lanzarote looked nervous about conceding a second goal. The Rojillos bolted its doors in defence but lacked any real threat up front offering only a couple of long distance efforts.
Meanwhile the Asturias side looked hungry and dangerous. In central midfield the Rojillos were without their suspended inspirational Captain Vladimir. Gijón dominated this area with youngsters Sergio and Juan Muñiz controlling proceedings.
Just before half time these two players combined with Sergio laying the ball across the goal but team mate Juan Muñiz was just inches away from connecting with the goal at his mercy. Lanzarote were glad to hear the half time whistle with only the solitary goal separating the sides.
Lanzarote came out from the break looking a much fresher side. They were first to the ball, winning the tackles, and put pressure on the home defence. Nine minutes into the second half and all this good work was in tatters.
A free kick by Juan Muñiz taken from long distance was launched into Lanzarote´s danger zone and got caught in the strong wind which deceived the Lanzarote keeper into a rare mistake and gave the home side a fortunate 2-0 lead.
On several occasions this season Lanzarote have only got themselves going when they are two goals down. Fifteen minutes after conceding the second goal the Rojillos pulled one back. A foul on Carlitos in the six yard box and the referee ordered a spot kick. The ever reliable Rubén Rodriguez stepped up and stroked the ball with force into the right hand corner but the keeper tipped the ball onto the post but the rebound fell kindly back to Rubén and he stuck the ball home with ease reducing the deficit to 2-1.
With 20 minutes left to play Lanzarote were now seriously looking to salvage a point and more importantly not allowing the side below them in the league to claim all three points.
As much as Lanzarote huffed and puffed, Gijon’s defence held firm not allowing the Rojillos a clear chance and the Rojillos flew back to Lanzarote via Madrid empty handed and back into the last automatic relegation positions, fourth from bottom.
Sporting Gijón B leapfrog Lanzarote with this win and climb out of the drop zone and up to 15th.
