Let’s kick off season 2015-16, Aug 16th,
Let’s kick off season 2015-16, Aug 16th,
With the season within days of starting Lanzarote have been looking in fine form. In their seven pre season matches the Rojillos (The Reds) have won six and lost one.
To be fair two or three of those teams were foregone conclusions. The game that Lanzarote lost to in the San Gines tournament(2-0) was against the much fancied Las Palmas B side. Whilst Las Palmas first team was promoted to the Primera Liga their B team were relegated to Tercera Division (fourth tier).
After going a goal down Lanzarote had thought they had levelled when defender Fran Gil powered in a low drive only for a defender to put in an outstanding block. Las Palmas were deadly on the break and within 10 seconds had scored and won the game 2-0.
In the third and fourth place final Lanzarote cruised to a 4-0 win versus CD Marino who were the side that came third last season. The Tenerife outfit were taken apart and looked nothing like the team from just a few months ago.
The Rojillos went in front in just 14 seconds from born again Yeremy. A few years ago Yeremy I have been told was a pretty special striker but in just a couple of years didn’t take the game too seriously but has now slimmed down and looks as hungry as ever.
Echedey and the Colombian Mauri added to the score to give the Rojillos a 3-0 lead. Toñito looking sharp completed the 4-0 win.
The 16 year old Dutch lad Roy was given 15 minutes. The youngster made his debut as a 15 year old last year and his shirt almost touched his knees. The very much gifted player has filled out and now fits the shirt and made an immediate impact. Two strikes at goal from the edge of the box, one a near miss and the other produced a good save from the keeper. Whilst he does still seem a little lightweight I doubt with the ability he possesses he has not even given that a thought.
There have been some inevitable departures from the squad that finished second last season. Striker Yaco, Adrían Delgado and Jesus Ramos have all said Adios. In has come Lanzarote born Fran Gil from Las Palmas and from the same team Miguel Gomez has joined the Rojillos and looks like a very good intelligent player.
Javi Melian has joined from Yaiza as well as one of Lanzarote´s best ever players Vladimir. Oscar Vladimir is no stranger to the red and blue shirt of Lanzarote. During those four years of fantastic Copa Del Rey matches some 12 years ago with the highlight being the game against Real Madrid when Vicente Del Bosque brought his white army to Arrecife.
Guti put the Galacticos one up early on but just before half time Vladi became a household name latching onto a downward header and chipping the ball over the body of the Brazilian goalkeeper César to put the Rojillos level going into the break. Second half and the Madrid giants put on Zidane and Figo and the game ended 1-3.
Oscar Vladimir is older but there is no doubt the ability and the experience he gained with Levante is still there. The squad is young but the veterans that remain Toñito, Rosmen, Ángel Gil, Marcos Cabrera and a couple of others all look in fine form whilst the youngsters from last season have grown and are hungry for success.
Both British boys 19 year old Brad Cockerill and 21 year old winger Louis Kennedy have performed excellent pre season with Brad being as solid as a rock that he is and Louis showing his versatility by also performing admirably as right back. He may not like the position but he is good in it.
The first game is this Sunday 23rd August at home versus Real Sporting San José at 12 noon. It’s not an easy start as the Gran Canarian side finished in fourth spot last season.
The British, Irish and other foreign fans are vital to the success of this team so if you’re on holiday get on the bus and get to Arrecife central bus station. Couldn’t be easier, buses go back and forth from Costa Teguise and Puerto Del Carmen to Arrecife every 30 minutes on Sundays and the ground is only 100 metres away. Bus is just 1.70E one way and the gate fee is 5 Euros adults and 3 Euros Pensioners with all children 15 and under admitted free.
If you live here grab a season ticket. Adults are 50E, Pensioners 25E and children 15 and under are free. If you see all 19 home games it works out at 2.60E each one. Pensioners half that. If you miss a game you can lend your season ticket to a friend. No Nie or any paperwork required apart from cash. Season tickets are available from me (Ian) at PDC market on Fridays or Teguise on Sundays from 10am -2pm.
If you wish to see fixtures then click onto fixtures on the homepage but always remember days and times of games do alter so I will only confirm a kick off time five days before. The Facebook page Lanzarote football club will always be updated first so check it a few days before the match for confirmation.
A huge thanks to Martin from Colorworks for supplying me all those fantastic posters that are stuck up up all around the bars and also for the raffle prizes to the 6D cinema at the new Marina in Arrecife. Thanks to all the bars for allowing me to advertise our local club but the biggest thanks is to my wife Anna. She is the one that does all the website updating as I haven’t got a clue and worse still on Sunday match days she takes over from me in Teguise market so I can go to the match. She doesn’t even like football!
VAMOS SAROTE!
