LANZAROTE 1 UD VECINDARIO 2
LANZAROTE 1 UD VECINDARIO 2
13th April 2014
The Rojillos suffered their defeat back in their home ground in Arrecife and their fourth overall on home turf this season.
The Gran Canarian side had asked Lanzarote if the match could be brought forward a day which assisted the visiting side reduce the cost of their travel expenses. Only a few seasons ago Vecindario were playing their football in the second tier of Spanish football but as with so many Spanish clubs they are finding it difficult to survive financially.
The opening stages of the match were evenly battled out in the centre of the pitch but as the game grew so did the dominance of the home side.
The first opportunity for a strike at goal came from the Rojillos captain Jotha. The ex Real Madrid player hit a free kick from 20 yards which cleared the wall but also cleared the crossbar.
In the 35th minute the visitors should have been one up as striker Rubén Quesada was clean through with just the keeper to beat. The Lanzarote keeper Agoney stood tall until the last moment then saved his side as he has done on many occasion to keep the score goalless.
Two minutes later and a cross from Jotha on the right found the head of striker Rosmen on the edge of the six yard box. The tall striker superbly nodded the ball high over to the far post where centre back Adrián Martín carefully headed low into the corner of the net to give the Rojillos a 1-0 lead to take into the break.
Six minutes into the second half and the Gran Canarian side were back on level terms. The impressive left winger Cristian beat a couple of defenders then smashed the ball into the net from eight yards leaving the Lanzarote keeper no chance.
With the match at 1-1 Lanzarote began to dominate but were still struggling to find a solution to their season long problem with scoring goals. Through the years Lanzarote have always been one of the leagues high scoring teams but this season no team in this division has scored fewer goals than the Rojillos.
Good opportunities for Toñito, Raúl and Javi Betancort went begging and in the 82nd minute Lanzarote paid the ultimate price as they were caught on the break. Midfielder Abraham controlled the ball inside the box and with time on his hands picked his spot to give the visitors a 1-2 lead.
The Rojillos pressed until the end and had a call for a penalty turned down in the 91st minute. Sub Javi Betancort protested and received his second card so the Rojillos were forced to play out the final few minutes with ten men.
Vecindario remain in 11th spot whilst Lanzarote slip one place to 13th. Lanzarote´s next game is away on Thursday 17th April against El Cotillo in Fuerteventura. If anyone fancies the short boat journey over let me know and I will check out prices.
GOALS
1-0 min 35 Adrián Martín
1-1 min 51 Cristian
1-2 min 82 Abraham
