SD Tenisca 0 UD Lanzarote 1
23rd April 2012
A priceless goal midway through the first half from midfielder Javi Betancort gives the Rojillos three golden points and sends Lanzarote to within just a single point from the final playoff spot.
On a ground where the second placed La Palma side have not lost all season and Lanzarote had not won in 14 attempts the Rojillos looked doomed. The only away matches the Rojillos have won this term are against the bottom two clubs so the statistics were not good from the outset.
The home side began the more confident. Striker Memo who seems to love to score against the Rojillos in the various clubs he has played for was unlucky not to put his current team ahead. His strike hit the underside of the bar and he believed the ball had crossed the line but fortunately for Lanzarote the Referee and his assistant did not agree and allowed play to carry on.
After the initial onslaught Lanzarote began to dominate possession and in the 23rd minute a powerful strike from Javi Betancort on the edge of the area beat the goalkeeper and sent the Rojillos into a 0-1 lead.
The home side had several opportunities to level the score with Memo going close from a free kick and then narrowly heading wide whilst Rosmen almost doubled Lanzarotes lead minutes before the break but the striker failed to hit the target.
The opening stages of the second half and Lanzarote took control of the ball. Both Ayoze and Rosmen were unlucky not to get on the score sheet. The home side did have an effort cancelled out from Dani López for offside and moments later Javi Betancort thought he had scored his second of the afternoon only for the Ref to call back play for a foul which bemused the Lanzarote players.
In the final 20 minutes Lanzarote decided to sit back and defend their lead whilst trying to catch their opponents out on the break. Ayoze had a golden opportunity to give his side a goal cushion but his strike hit the post and was cleared.
Life was made a little easier in the 75th minute when Dani López picked up his second yellow card and the home side were down to 10 men. The hosts still pressed but Lanzarote goalkeeper Ruymán was not called into action as his side picked up three magical points.
The Rojillos have two home games remaining and one away. Over the past few months Lanzarote´s home form has been devastating with seven wins on the bounce. Up next this Sunday at 12 Noon is 8th placed side CD Tenerife B.
Lanzarote are in 6th position but 4th placed side C.D. Vera and 5th placed side Estrella CF face each other on Sunday and should they draw and Lanzarote win, then the Rojillos would climb into the final playoff spot for the first time this season.
