EL COTILLO 1 LANZAROTE 2
EL COTILLO 1 LANZAROTE 2
18th April 2014
Lanzarote´s poor away form this season halted for a while with a 30 minute journey across the ocean to our neighbours in Fuerteventura.
Fuerteventura used to have many good football teams but due to financial pressure the big three clubs, UD Fuerteventura, CD Corralejo and Jandia have all crashed and burned. This leaves El Cotillo with the pick of the best players on their island so the Rojillos knew this would not be a simple match.
Both sides started brightly and with Rojillos manager Adolfo Pérez electing to play only three at the back and with three up front it was always going to be an interesting afternoon.
As predicted it was end to end stuff from the off. In the 13th minute Rosmen saw the Fuerteventura keeper off his line and from 35 yards was only inches away from embarrassing the Cotillo keeper.
The home side looked the more dangerous on their attacks and in the 24th minute took the lead. Lanzarote midfielder Falo took a little too much time on the ball in the centre of the park and his pass was blocked, the ball spun off and unluckily for Lanzarote it fell directly into the path of striker Caliche who was in on goal and neatly tucked the ball away to give his side a 1-0 lead.
Ten minutes before half time and the El Cotillo keeper Omar took his eyes off the ball just long enough so Rosmen could get a foot in with what looked like a certain goal however the keeper made amends blocking the shot with quick reflexes.
During the interval sitting in the stands without any shade on a blistering afternoon was too much for me and my fellow Lanzarote supporter, musician Gary, so we headed off to the bar for a couple of swift ones.
The second half began with the home side all out to double their lead. In the first minute a fine save from Rojillos keeper Agoney kept the Majoreros (Fuerteventurians) at bay. A few minutes later and striker Hectór was only inches away as he saw his effort fly past the upright.
Lanzarote withstood the storm and began creating chances themselves. Rosmen believed he had levelled the match when he latched onto a cross from the right wing and tapped the ball home. The linesman believed the ball had crossed the line and therefore awarded the Fuerteventura side a goal kick much to the annoyance of the players and travelling support.
Nevertheless the Rojillos looked good for a goal. British boy Louis Kennedy had been playing in a more unaccustomed central role but had now drifted over to the left wing.
This proved to be an inspired move because in the 75th minute the 20 year old outclassed his defender and produced a beauty of a cross which Rosmen hit goal bound only to see the keeper save well but the ball fell kindly to midfielder Raúl who blasted home to level the score.
Five minutes later and Kennedy changed from provider to goal scorer. A great pass from the hardworking Falo put the British lad clean through. With still much to do Kennedy drew the keeper in then neatly passed the ball into the right hand corner to give the Rojillos a 1-2 lead.
The Fuerteventura side did not sit back; they pumped everything they had to find a goal to square the match against their intense rivals. The Rojillo defence remained strong and with probably Lanzarote´s best player this season in goal there was not going to be a way through for the hosts as the visitors claimed only their fourth away win this season.
Lanzarote midfielder Falo had a mixed day as his error had cost a goal but then he redeemed that with the pass that let in Kennedy for the winner. Back on Lanzarote soil he then gave a few players a lift home but ran out of petrol high up on Femes mountain. Fortunately for him two British fans, namely me and Gary saved the day by stopping and returning to Yaiza for petrol for the stranded midfielder.
Lanzarote move up one place to 12th and are away next Sunday in Gran Canaria versus sixth placed side UD Villa Santa Brígida. Unfortunately I will not be doing a report of this match as I will be out of the island but the score and confirmation of time and date of Lanzarote´s final home game of the season will be updated early next week.
GOALS
1-0 min 24 Caliche
1-1 min 75 Raúl
1-2 min 80 Kennedy
