UD Lanzarote 3 CD Mensajero 1
5th February 2012
Lanzarote´s superb home form continues as they claimed their ninth home win of the season in a wonderfully entertaining match that has moved the Rojillos up to seventh spot and five points off the playoffs.
All did not start well for the Conejeros (locals). A free kick just outside the Lanzarote box was executed with finesse by defender Carlos Martín. His bending free kick cleared the wall and viciously dipped with pace leaving the Lanzarote keeper Ruymán no chance as he saw the ball squeeze in the bottom right hand corner.
The visitors were only able to enjoy their 0-1 advantage for just four minutes. Jotha´s free kick from the right was only half cleared by the La Palma defence. The ball spun in the air and Lanzarote´s brilliant midfielder Ayoze had his eyes on it all the way. His powerful volley from seven yards gave the La Palma keeper no chance as 25 year old local boy levelled the score at one apiece.
The Rojillos were now well and top and the Lanzarote inconsistent winger Toñito was on one of his brilliant days causing havoc switching flanks and terrorising both wing backs.
In the 27th minute Toñito sent striker Rosmen clean through. The tall forward cleanly fired his strike over the keeper but for the ninth time this season the unlucky and short of confidence centre forward could only find the woodwork.
Two minutes later and after some one touch quick passing in midfield Toñito was put through after a clever one two with Jotha. With just the keeper to beat the exciting winger could only stroke his effort straight into the arms of the Mensajero keeper.
For the remainder of an entertaining first half Lanzarote dominated possession but the opposition still looked threatening from set pieces.
The Rojillos were off the blocks quick in the second half with Ayoze firing into the side netting. It still took a little over 20 minutes for Lanzarote´s dominance to prove fruitful. In the 67th minute Ayoze sent Toñito clear and the winger made no mistake this time by firing his team into a 2-1 lead from close range. To make matters worse for the visitors their goal scorer Carlos Martín picked up his second yellow card for protesting so his side were forced to play on with ten men.
The Rojillos maintained possession and made their opponents work but still failed to bury the La Palma side after creating a host of opportunities. In the 86th minute the visitors launched a hopeful ball into the Rojillos danger zone and striker Romario blatantly tried to do a Maradona hand of God but the official clocked the guilty party and duly brandished a second yellow card to the offender and the visitors were reduced to nine men.
In the 89th minute sub Alex Yunes comfortably rounded the keeper and from a narrow angle found the net to complete the 3-1 score line.
Deep into stoppage time and Rosmen unselfishly squared the ball for Echedey but the sub disappointingly skied his shot well over the bar.
It didn’t matter as the Ref blew for full time and Lanzarote are still on course for a playoff finish after another wonder home display. The Rojillos will have another great opportunity to close the gap on the playoff pack when they are at home for the second week running and face in form Villa Santa Brígida. The Gran Canarian side will be in confident mood following their 2-0 home win against second placed S.D. Tenisca.
