UD Lanzarote 1 SD Tenisca 0
21st November 2011
Lanzarote have beaten league leaders S.D. Tenisca with a display that oozed with class, determination and passion that eventually led to a winner two minutes from time by Javi Betancort.
The Rojillos began the match in positive fashion dominating possession and creating the clearer chances. In the eighth minute a cross from the right by the Rojillos outstanding number 21 Ayoze Pérez was met by striker Rosmen, the tall centre forward once again saw his header hit the woodwork for the umpteenth this season.
Ayoze and defender Ángel Gil combined superbly down the right flank but their crosses were defended by a well organised back four. The visitors were fast on the break and with the league’s best strike force of Dani López, Memo and Adrían Gutiérrez who have bagged all but two of their teams 30 goals this season meant Lanzarote had to be on theirguard.
One of the few opportunities for the La Palma side came from a free kick in the 27th minute. Defender Cabrera cleanly struck a free kick from 30 yards which whistled through the air aided by the breeze and goalkeeper Santi Lampón did well to dive and palm the ball away for a corner.
The Rojillos did not ease up on their visitors with Ayoze creating huge problems for the Tenisca left back. Almost every match tourists constantly come up to me asking who is number 21. The Lanzarote attacking midfielder Ayoze Pérez is most definitely playing his football in a league inferior to his capabilities.
Just after the half hour and Rosmen shot from the edge of the area only for his effort to inch past the post.
At the end of what was a hugely entertaining first half, defender Adrián Martín had two efforts saved by goalkeeper Oliver Vega both from corners.
The opening stages of the second half were evenly balanced but it wasn’t long until the Rojillos picked up the pace and had their opponents defending. The La Palma side were forced to retreat following wave after wave of Rojillo attack but defend they did and saw off everything Lanzarote were throwing at them.
In the 60th and 69th minute saw the introduction of Toñito and Gustavo García respectively. This upped the tempo and forced the visitors to defend desperately in their final third. The Rojillos were getting closer and closer as their opponents began to tire.
Ten minutes before time and a quick counter attack forced Lanzarote keeper Santi Lampón to make a fine save from a low drive at the near post from midfielder Jeffrey.
With two minutes remaining winger Toñito did what he does best by racing towards the by line and chipping in a teasing cross which could only be palmed away by the keeper. The ball fell to Javi Betancort at shoulder height and he somehow managed to wrap his foot around the ball and blast it into the net at the same height he had received it and sent the supportive crowd into a frenzy of delight.
The visitors then threw caution to the wind as they desperately went in search of an equaliser. Two minutes into stoppage time and defender Jordan let rip with a beauty from 30 yards. 39 year old Santi Lampón threw himself to the ball and tipped it wide for a corner showing why he has the best goalkeeping record in the league.
The Rojillos held on and deservedly claimed all three points which moves them up to eighth spot and four points off the play offs. Lanzarote have now taken 10 points out of their last four games but will face a tough test next Sunday when they visit Tenerife B who are just one play below the Rojillos in the league table
