LANZAROTE 3 UNIÓN VIERA 2
LANZAROTE 3 UNIÓN VIERA 2, 15th Nov 2015
On Sunday morning in intense heat both teams produced a real spectacle. Lanzarote going in front then the Gran Canarian side taking the lead and with just six minutes remaining and with only ten men the Rojillos fought back with Javi Melíán scoring the winner in the 92nd minute.
In the opening 15 minutes Lanzarote edged possession but the visitors looked dangerous on the break. Lanzarote had the first good opportunity of the match in the 11th minute when Rosmen put through his fellow striker Mauri, the Colombian hit his strike low though the Tenerife keeper made a good save. A couple of minute’s later defender Adrián Barrera found himself unmarked at the far post but failed with his header to hit the target.
On the half hour the visitors had a good claim for a penalty turned down. Striker, Captain and a general pain in the backside for the Lanzarote defence the whole match Ale Peraza felt as though he had his shirt pulled in the area but the Ref waived away his claims. Later on the striker should have been booked for a ridiculous dive in the penalty area but the Ref ignored this as well.
The Rojillos made the breakthrough on the stroke of half time. Toñito curled in a corner from the right and Rosmen seemed to hang in mid air then powered in a rocket of a header into the top right hand corner giving his side a 1-0 advantage to take into the half time break.
Six minutes into the second half and Miguel Gómez curled in a powerful strike from 20 yards which looked destined for the top left hand corner until the Gran Canarian keeper made a brilliant one handed save.
Lanzarote were really looking for that killer second goal and winger Toñito was supplying the ammunition from the right flank. At half time Louis Kennedy replaced Adrián in defence which really helped to bring out the best in Toñito In the 56th minute the winger curled in a dangerous cross and Rosmen was just an inch off connecting but the ball ran off for a goal kick.
In the 63rd minute a corner kick for the visitors was whipped in from the right and Ale Peraza rose higher than anyone else and guided his header into the top left hand corner leaving the Lanzarote keeper Agoney with no chance and to make score 1-1. Two minutes later and Peraza had a chance to put his side ahead when he fired wide from eight yards.
Ten minutes later and sub Joel who had only been on the pitch for a few minutes let rip from a good 30 yards, the ball flew like a bullet into the top right hand corner to give his side the lead at 1-2. This goal was worthy of winning any football match but not today. Even so many Lanzarote fans deservedly applauded this extraordinary effort.
To make matters worse for Lanzarote Miguel Gómez got shown a second yellow card in the 75th min so the Rojillos had to preserve their 27 match unbeaten run by finding a goal with 10 men and in 30 degrees heat.
Lanzarote had a penalty claim turned down on Toñito and then in the 81st minute Mauri was put through with just the keeper to beat but unfortunately the striker who has been struggling for goals took one touch too many and the keeper made a good save smothering the ball at his feet.
In the 84th minute dead ball specialist Marcos Cabrera floated in a free kick from the left and defender Fran Gil connected with a glancing header sending the ball into the top right hand corner to make the score level at 2-2.
Talking to several of the Lanzarote players after the match they had talked after scoring the leveller that they should stick with what they had with their 10 men. The crowd had other ideas.
Lanzarote´s ten men urged by a fantastic vociferous crowd gave their team an extra second wind and now Lanzarote were throwing everything at their opponents.
Finally after such positive play and in the second minute of injury time Toñito beat two defenders and fed the ball towards the six yard box, striker Javi Melián raced to the ball and knocked a gentle chip over the keeper and saw the ball sweetly run into the empty net sending the crowd and the players into a frenzy of delight with the 3-2 lead.
The Gran Canarian side collapsed to their knees in disbelief whilst Lanzarote fans clapped, cheered and jumped on their players. Even parrot noises were heard from one section. It didn’t matter as long as it was in support of the home team.
With still a couple of minutes remaining of extra time the visitors had one strike from 25 yards which flew goal bound but fortunately the Lanzarote keeper kept concentrated and made a terrific save tipping the ball over the bar for a corner. Finally the Ref blew his whistle for full time and Lanzarote received a standing ovation from their fans.
The Rojillos return to top of the league but are clear by just a point from Gran Canarian sides Las Palmas B and UD Telde. Next week Lanzarote face a real tough test when they visit UD Telde. The Gran Canarian side is in marvellous form, in their last six matches they have won five and drawn the other.
GOALS
1-0 min 45 Rosmen
1-1 min 63 Ale Peraza
1-2 min 73 Joel
2-2 min 84 Fran Gil
3-2 min 92 Javi Melián
