SAN GINÉS TOURNAMENT
LANZAROTE 3 C.D. TENERIFE 1
A terrific performance by the Rojillos gave them victory with early goals from Rosmen and Alex Yunes. The Segunda B side (League 1) reduced the deficit late in the first half but a strike four minutes from time by new boy Juancar ensured victory.
The last time Tenerife played in Lanzarote was in 2001 in a Copa del Rey match. The Tenerife side were then sixth placed in the Primera Liga whilst Lanzarote were two divisions below. On that day Tenerife suffered their most embarrassing defeat ever going down 5-1 to a rampant Rojillo team.
This may not be a Copa del Rey tie but it was never going to be a friendly encounter. Tenerife started the match pressurizing the Rojillo back four and with Lanzarote´s new goalkeeper Marco Machín looking a little hesitant it was a nervous opening few minutes for the home side.
Those nerves evaporated in the space of four minutes. A cross from the lively Toñito was nodded home by Rosmen and minutes later Alex Yunes fired in a beauty from the edge of the area into the keepers bottom right hand corner to make the score 2-0.
Lanzarote had plenty of opportunities to strengthen their lead with near misses coming from Toñito, Miguel Yunes and midfielder Javi Betancort. The visitors were given a lifeline in the 38th minute when winger Yeray and striker Cristo Martin combined with the latter side footing a strike into the top right hand corner with the Lanzarote keeper well beaten even at full stretch. The visitors were back in the game with a pure quality goal.
An entertaining first half ended dramatically when Alex Yunes cleverly beat the last man but was pulled back. Surely the Tenerife centre back was going to be given his marching orders but before the Ref could reach for his pocket mayhem broke loose when just about all the players including all the benches from both sides began a full on scrap.
Handbags at 10 paces at the end of the first half
The National police came on the pitch trying to calm matters and it seemed that the Tenerife side were walking off the pitch to the annoyance of the home supporters. The Ref wisely decided to call time on the half with Tenerife still with eleven players at their disposal. This was most definitely not a friendly.
Tenerife introduced Suso Santana in the second half. Fresh from three seasons with Hearts FC in Scotland the right winger failed to stamp his impression on the game. The visitors began an early push in the second half but the Rojillo defence stood firm and steadily regained control of the game.
A few minutes from time sub Juancar received the ball on the edge of the box from a short corner and fired in a screamer into the left hand corner guaranteeing his side victory.
Aston Villa fans loving the game and finding out at the end of the match that they had won the raffle. They will be taking home a signed football and a stereo unit. Unfortunately they will probably be charged 400€ for excess baggage.
The local fans and many tourists couldn’t have wished for a better evening. Beer flowing, goals flying in whilst a scrap (hand bags) being an added bonus for any British supporter whilst travelling back to their hotels around 11pm via the local bus wearing T shirt and shorts on a beautiful warm evening.
It has been a great pre season for the Rojillos whom have yet to taste defeat or even a draw. The front players look hungry whilst the defence looks as solid as last season with a midfield that any club in this division would envy. Lanzarote only lost once at home last season but with less than a handful of away wins to their name cost them a playoff position by a point. If the away form can be rectified it looks as though a good season lies ahead for Adolfo Perez’s men.
