UD Lanzarote 1 UD Telde 0
12th March 2012
U.D. Lanzarote are refusing to give up on their quest for the final playoff spot by beating a direct rival who had won their four previous matches.
Unfortunately most of the other results went in favour of the teams competing for that fourth spot finish which means Lanzarote are still trailing that playoff position by seven points with only eight games remaining.
As tradition when the Rojillos play at home they always seem to be out of the blocks first and this was no exception. In the eighth minute a cross from Vladi was met with a strong powerful header by Ayoze, the pint sized goalkeeper proved that his agility was spot on as he instinctively tipped the ball over the bar.
A few minutes later and Ayoze was clearly brought down inside the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Jotha normally so lethal in from eight yards blasted his shot down the centre and the keeper reacted well and cleared the ball to safety.
The Gran Canarian team showed confidence following their 6-1 home win last week by defending well and then hitting their opponents on the break. In one instance Telde midfielder Echedey broke clear and only a good save from the Lanzarote keeper Ruymán prevented the visitors from going one up.
The final 15 minutes of the first half became more evenly balanced as the play began to settle and the tempo of the match slowed.
Lanzarote took control of possession in the early part of the second half but it was the Gran Canarians who had the first clear chance. The ball fell on the half volley to Echedey and from eight yards he rocketed in a strike but Ruymán had got his angles covered and made himself big to deflect his effort clear.
The Rojillos began to raise the tempo and the feeling of a goal was in the air. In the 69th minute a cross was pulled back from the far post and Rosmen easily tapped in from a couple of yards to give the Rojillos a well deserved 1-0 lead.
Lanzarote went straight back at the opposition opting for a second goal cushion rather than sit back and defend. Their positivity almost reaped rewards in the 81st minute when a wonder squared cross from Jotha across the face of goal was met by the lively Toñito, his strike was destined for the back of the net only for Telde keeper Oliver to produce another fine save with his feet.
Five minutes from time and Telde were reduced to ten men when sub Borja picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Ruymán. The Rojillos held onto their victory by playing the final minutes by holding onto the ball well and quickly closing down their opponents when losing possession.
Another fine home performance by Lanzarote which moves them within one point of fifth place but still a mighty seven points from fourth. Next week they must improve on their 10 point away tally out of a possible 48 when they face second from bottom and the only side to beat Lanzarote at home this season Real Sporting San José in Gran Canaria.
