U.S. YAIZA 3 LANZAROTE 1
U.S. YAIZA 3 LANZAROTE 1
5th October 2013
The first ever meeting between the two sides on a national level was won with a hat trick by former Rojillo (Red) Alex Yunes. In a derby match on such a small island inevitably the players will know one another however in the starting line up were four pairs of brothers.
The game was played at 5pm just when the heat was beginning to subside. It was a beautiful evening to watch a match and the views of the volcanoes of the Timanfaya National park in the distance were breathtaking. On a day off for me I sat with my German friend Frank stationed only 10 metres from the bar.
Many fans made the trip to Yaiza and the colour of red outshone the green of our southern friends. The five Euro entrance fee for all adults was met with a little annoyance from a few of the older expat fans as Lanzarote charges just three Euros for our elder citizens. However as soon as the first beer hit the throats all was forgotten as it was game on.
Yaiza settled much better and in the first minute a free kick by Jona in the centre bounced on the turf and was completely misjudged by the Rojillos keeper Agoney, fortunately for the normally outstanding keeper the ball hit the crossbar and was cleared. This game will want to be forgotten by the Lanzarote number one.
The home side didn’t give Lanzarote a second on the ball and in the early stages of the match were first to the ball and looked the hungrier of the two teams.
In the 16th minute a ball was launched forward but centre back Adrián made a mess of his headed clearance sending the ball high on the edge of the box. The Lanzarote keeper believed he would be first to the ball but how wrong he was as Alex Yunes nipped in bravely heading the ball into the vacant net drawing first blood by sending his new side 1-0 up.
Only two minutes later and another ex Rojillo Javi Morales fired in a low and dangerous cross from the right, diving in was Miguel Yunes who just couldn’t get enough contact with his head as he saw the ball narrowly pass the far post.
After around 25 minutes Lanzarote eventually got hold of the ball as Captain Jotha orchestrated his midfield. In the 29th minute Lanzarote thought they had levelled. Jotha won the ball in the centre and his trademark inch perfect pass sent striker Rosmen away with just the keeper to beat. Last season’s top scorer neatly stroked the ball past the keeper and everyone believed that he had scored, that is except defender Jona who raced back and brilliantly cleared off the line.
Lanzarote were now on top and playing the much better football. A cross from the left found Rosmen´s brother and strike partner Yaco, he struck the ball well but another great off the line clearance from defender Aridane denied Lanzarote the leveller as the home side went into the break with the narrow advantage.
The Rojillos came out for the second period as dominant as they ended the first. The home side defended well as Lanzarote could not find a way through.
Nine minutes after the restart and a hopeful ball through the middle for Yaiza ended when keeper Agoney again believed he would be first to the ball but striker Miguel Yunes got a toe on the ball first and the goalkeeper went through the player for a clear penalty kick. Alex Yunes sent Agoney the wrong way and Yaiza had some breathing space with their 2-0 lead.
Only four minutes later and Lanzarote were well and truly back in the match. A wonder 40 yard pass from Jotha found the tricky Rojillo winger Toñito. He whipped in a ball from the left, Echedey headed back into the path of Yaco who fired home to make the score 2-1.
The intensity of the match was there to see as the yellow cards started to mount up by a Ref who had allowed the game to flow. Agoney then made some amends for his previous errors with a great reflex save to deny the home side their third goal.
In the 75th minute Toñito turned his defender inside out and from the corner of the box unleashed a wicked bending shot destined for the top corner. From nowhere the Yaiza goalkeeper produced an outstanding save as he got the tips of his fingers onto the ball deflecting it onto the crossbar and only conceding a corner kick. Toñito was uncharacteristically left speechless.
In the 81st minute a free kick from distance by Alex Yunes seemed harmless enough but the ball ricocheted off a defenders back. The Lanzarote keeper couldn’t adjust his feet quick enough as the ball innocently rolled in to give Yaiza absolute delight in restoring their two goal cushion with a 3-1 lead.
The Rojillos never gave up and defender Fran Gil headed just over from sub Juanca´s cross. Late on Toñito knew it wasn’t going to be his team’s day when he beat the keeper but could only find the woodwork and not the net.
On a thoroughly entertaining game of football both sets of fans could only be pleased with the efforts of their team. Yaiza hasn’t seen so many cars leaving from one place at the same time for years. In what seemed like gridlock after living here for a couple of decades, within five minutes all the cars evaporated and stinking of beer I kindly got a lift home with my friends, the Spendley family.
Despite this defeat Lanzarote remain in seventh spot whilst Yaiza move up to 12th. Next Sunday it has been confirmed that Lanzarote are at home in Tias against Tenerife side Las Zocas at 12 noon.
GOALS
1-0 min 16 Alex Yunes
2-0 min 54 Alex Yunes (penalty)
2-1 min 58 Yaco
3-1 min 81 Alex Yunes
