LANZAROTE 1 UD VILLA SANTA BRÍGIDA 1
LANZAROTE 1 UD VILLA SANTA BRÍGIDA 1
15th December 2013
Many times we have heard “it was a game of two halves” and that is the best way to describe this entertaining match. The Gran Canarian side who are flying high just one position off the play offs showed in the first half why they are promotion candidates and Lanzarote proved their steel in the second half and were unlucky not to take all three points.
The visitors certainly looked the better in the opening exchanges. Lanzarote could not hold possession of the ball for long which led to prolonged pressure.
The 5th placed side were very disappointing in their reaction to fouls, play acting and rolling around on the astro turf pleading with the Ref to earn the decision. Unfortunately this is what happened in the 12th min when Lanzarote gave the ball away in midfield which gave the winger Pablo Álvarez a chance to run at goal. As soon as he entered the box he launched himself into the air and sold the Ref who ordered a spot kick.
The Ref made at least one bad decision, if defender Adrían Martin did foul him then he should have been straight red carded as he was the last man, however this should never have been a penalty nevertheless the Gran Canarian side made no mistake going 0-1 in front as Jonay Carreño fired home.
Later on in the half the Rojillos got their passing together but it was the visitors who had the better opportunities with the Lanzarote keeper producing one fine save to keep his side in the match at the break.
The Rojillos manager did exactly the same as what he did at last week’s home victory. Early in the second half he introduced the inform Toñito. The Lanzarote winger is normally an automatic starter but as he is recovering from injury and his manager wants to gradually bring him back thus using him sparingly.
Toñito gave the defenders a rough ride, the same as he did the week pevious and the visitors needed cover for him which opened up space for his team mates. In the 64th minute Toñito raced down the right wing and crossed the ball over to the edge of the six yard box where British boy Luis Kennedy tucked the ball into the left hand corner to make the score 1-1 exactly what he did the previous week.
Lanzarote now had the initiative as well as the crowd fully behind them. Echedey was winning everything for Lanzarote in midfield but the Gran Canarian side fought with all they had as tackles flew in from all angles. In the 75th minute Rojillo midfielder Javi Betancort was shown his second yellow card and Lanzarote were reduced to 10 men.
The game was still even despite the Rojillos being a man short and in the 85th minute goal scorer Jonay Carreño was shown a straight red card for an extremely late tackle on Echedey which infuriated the home fans.
With the match at fever pitch the last five minutes were frantic. Echedey came close with a header whilst Villa Santa Brígida had a free kick well saved by the Lanzarote keeper Agoney as the match ended in a point each.
Prior to the match the Lanzarote players all wore T shirts with a get well message for kit man Chalo who suffered a heart problem early on in the week. The good news is that Chalo is in a good condition and a recovery is expected. I am sure all our expat fans wish our likeable kit man a speedy recovery and I will relay that to him today.
The Rojillos are up one place to 9th spot and are 10 points shy of the play offs as well as 10 points off relegation. The Conejeros (Locals) have a great opportunity to push up the table with the next 5 games being against sides mid table or below. Next Sunday a trip to Tenerife is on the agenda against UD Ibarra who have lost their last three games and this is followed by two consecutive home matches.
GOALS
0-1 min 12 Jonay Carreño (penalty)
1-1 min 64 Kennedy
