LANZAROTE 5 CD ATLÉTICO GRANADILLA 1
LANZAROTE 5 CD ATLÉTICO GRANADILLA 1, 3rd January 2016
The Rojillos begin the New Year and ended the first round of games with an emphatic win on a scorching hot winter’s day in paradise.
A fantastic amount of holidaymakers gave up part of their Sunday afternoon to lend their support to the island that many of them love. Heaps of children walking out with the Lanzarote team will I hope embed a fondness for this great island. For the adults a 5 Euro entrance, one Euro a beer and a steak sandwich for 2 Euros with sun on tap will seal that love.
For those of you not at the match and enduring a wet and windy winter please forgive my comments though I am sure for many of you it will be quite easy to picture yourself there so close your eyes for a moment and feel that heat. Did it work? The only flood we had in Lanzarote today was that of sun and goals.
Fair enough, it was Lanzarote at the top of the table playing the bottom club but you can only play what is in front of you and Lanzarote went at the Tenerife side looking for the early kill.
In the 12th minute Lanzarote went 1-0 up following a corner from Toñito . Defender Ignacio fired home with his left foot and then it was all hands on deck for the visitors who were getting murdered down either flank by Toñito and Louis Kennedy.
It took till the 38th minute for the league leaders to make it 2-0. A quick break down the right from Toñito who then fed striker Javi Melían and whilst the Rojillo striker beat the keeper his shot appeared to come back off the keeper and into the net. No dodgy goal panels in Spain’s Third division so Javi will claim the goal.
Lanzarote completely dominated the remainder of the half but could not find the third and what would have been the killer goal.
In the opening exchanges of the second half the Tenerife side looked to have a stronger mentality to their game, winning challenges and generally putting up a fight. This bullish mentality was rewarded on the hour mark when striker Benito found a hole in the Lanzarote defence and fired home to make it game on at 2-1.
Normality was restored just six minutes later when Echedey squeezed through the centre a beauty of a pass which released Louis Kennedy. The British boy was in no doubt where this ball was going and with just the keeper to beat he fired it wide of the keeper to make it three goals in as many games and restored his sides two goal cushion with the score at 3-1.
Just two minutes later and following some wonderful football which involved most of the team ended when the hard working Mauri cut inside from the right and gifted Echedey and easy tap in.
With the score now 4-1 there was no way back for the visitors. Worse was to follow for our island neighbours because in the 73rd minute, a harmless back pass was completely missed by the goalkeeper and trickled into the back of the net to complete the scoring at 5-1.
The Tenerife goalkeeper Alex just lay flat on the ground as if he had just been shot and praying for the earth to open up to release him of his embarrassment. Several Lanzarote players went over to the keeper and picked him up trying their best to cheer him up.
The Rojillos just kept ball for the remaining fifteen minutes or so with British boy Louis Kennedy brimming with confidence and displaying wonderful skills just highlighting what a very good player he is. The 22 year old winger was tearing their players apart with his array of talents. Some people call it showboating, I call it talent and entertaining.
Second placed side CD El Cotillo were thumped 4-1 away versus Tenerife B so now Lanzarote have opened up a four point lead at the top whilst stretching their home unbeaten run to 31 matches. Las Palmas B now occupy second place.
A mention must go to all fans who contributed to the Children’s charity prior to the match by handing in toys, games or cash into the goal that was put on the way round to the stand. All of this will benefit underprivileged Children on Spanish Christmas Kings Day on the 6th January. The club was delighted with the response.
Rojillos Captain and top goal scorer Rosmen should be back from injury and set to play against Real Sporting San José in Gran Canaria next week but it’s not so good news for British lad Brad Cockerill . The 20 year old midfielder will undertake surgery on his cruciate ligament knee injury next Monday.
Obviously he is gutted but now seems to have come to terms with his injury and if anyone believes he will not play this season I will definitely be up for a bet saying he will. There is still half a season remaining and should Lanzarote make the play offs then the season extends till July. He is young, fit and already on the road to recovery. I am sure on behalf of thousands of people we all wish you the very best Brad.
GOALS
1-0 min 12 Ignacio
2-0 min 38 Javi Melían
2-1 min 61 Benito
3-1 min 67 Kennedy
4-1 min 69 Echedey
5-1 min 73 Borja (own goal)
