LANZAROTE 2 LAS PALMAS B 1
LANZAROTE 2 LAS PALMAS B 1, 1st November 2015
It was first versus second with Lanzarote topping the table and the game certainly delivered on expectation. At times the Rojillos were playing some fantastic football but just as they were playing some of their best the Las Palmas B side hit back which led to a nervous finale to a superb match.
Things are going extraordinarily well for the Rojillos (The Reds). Just beaten the second placed team, not lost a game all season and are one of only 11 teams in all Spanish National leagues who remain unbeaten alongside Real Madrid. Lanzarote have won their last five on the bounce and are now 27 games unbeaten at home which all leads to U.D. Lanzarote sitting at the pinnacle of the league table two points clear of the second placed side.
Please let me apologise to several people who were looking to buy merchandise at the clubs Megastore at the match. My daughter was ill and so I was on my own and customers were looking to buy as kick off approached. I quickly closed up to watch the match not offering apologies as I sprinted (hobbled) to the stand to take notes on the match.
So glad I got to my seat quick as this game got off to a flyer and really did not relent all 90 minutes. The visitors had the first chance in the 2nd minute when a headed effort from a corner flew narrowly over the bar.
Two minutes later and number 10 Mauri bulldozed his way through the Las Palmas defence only to what seemed to have been fouled, the Ref who had a marvellous game allowing play to run was well positioned and did not give a penalty however Rojillo midfielder Vladi pounced on the loose ball and was upended and the Ref pointed straight to the spot.
Rosmen normally deadly from the spot, hit the penalty to the right but at a comfortable height for the keeper who palmed away the ball to safety. If you read this Rosmen, put your laces through the ball and give it a hiding next time as you usually do.
Seconds later and the Gran Canarian side broke and from eight yards a drilled effort was saved well from the Lanzarote keeper Agoney. In the 12th minute Agoney again positioned himself well saving a curling free kick with comfort.
It was easy to see why both teams held the top two positions in the league as the Las Palmas side broke with ferocity however Lanzarote looked the more dangerous.
In the 22nd minute a clearance from a Las Palmas defender was outrageously hit back on the volley from 35 yards by Rojillos defender Raúl. The ball flew like a bullet but credit to the keeper as he reacted well tipping this wonder effort away for a corner.
In the 42nd minute Toñito latched on to a defence splitting pass by Mauri and kept his composure slotting the ball home into the left hand corner to give Lanzarote a 1-0 lead to take in to the break.
Early in the second half and Toñito who was causing all sorts of grief to both left and right backs with his trickery fed Javi Melián by pulling the ball back from the by-line but the midfielder failed to convert.
In the 60th minute the Rojillos doubled their lead. A long throw from Raúl caused problems for the defence and on a failed clearance Rosmen struck the ball home from six yards to make it six goals for the season and give his side breathing space with a 2-0 advantage.
Louis Kennedy was brought on in the 64th minute and was immediately involved in all of the action. Within seconds of coming on the British lad won the ball in midfield and then set Toñito on his way. Toñito surely up there with anybody on the day as man of the match struck low at goal but the keeper made a comfortable save.
The home side were now playing some wonderful football with veterans Vladi and Marcos Cabrera orchestrating the goings on in midfield and dictating play. However the B sides of all Primera Liga sides have many under 21 years of age players and this youth could run without tiring.
In 78th minute a quick break for the Primera Liga side B team caught Lanzarote off guard and midfielder Manu Dimas glanced a header from a cross but saw the ball come back off the right hand post and off to safety.
Two minutes later and the visitors were well and truly back into this game. This time it was Manu Dimas being the provider as he coasted down the right wing and sent a delightful floating ball to the back post inviting sub Borja Herrera to dive in with a header to bring his side within touching distance at 2-1.
For all supporting Lanzarote this was a long final 10 minutes as Las Palmas pounded Lanzarote with wave after wave of attack. The Rojillos held on and really should have put the game beyond doubt in the final moments when Ángel Gil put his skipper Rosmen through on goal. As Rosmen raced towards goal the ball would just not come down for him so he could pull the trigger however Lanzarote held on to record another victory.
Lanzarote are away next Sunday in Fuerteventura against the much improved CD Cotillo. The club are organising a bus and ferry which will only cost 20 Euros for residents with travel certificate and 35 Euros for non residents. All details are on Facebook Lanzarote football club.
GOALS
1-0 min 42 Toñito
2-0 min 60 Rosmen
2-1 min 80 Borja Herrera
