LAS PALMAS B 1 LANZAROTE 1
LAS PALMAS B 1 LANZAROTE 1
20th March 2016,
A super point away against the league leaders nevertheless the Rojillos drop one place to third spot following Santa Brigída´s fine away win 1-4. It is just a single point splitting the top three sides.
This point may prove to be extremely valuable as earlier on in the season Lanzarote beat Las Palmas B 2-1 at home and in Spanish rules should both teams finish on level points then the side who has done the better against the other will have priority rather than goal difference.
Prior to today Las Palmas B won their last four matches on the bounce and have not been beaten since early December so were brimming with confidence.
The Rojillos were without three of their top players all due to suspension, Vladi, Toñito and Javi Betancort and to make things even more difficult during the week midfielder Kilian (Fellani hair) decided to call it a day this season due to minimum appearances and work commitments.
Manager Adolfo Pérez played a defensive looking team unsurprisingly with five at the back. The hosts dominated the early stages though it was Rojillos midfielder Marcos Cabrera who was first to come close with an effort on 7 minutes which produced a comfortable save for the Gran Canarian keeper.
Las Palmas then hit back coming close on two occasions but in the 20th minute Las Palmas striker Jefté Betancort was alleged to have head butted his old team mate from last season at Las Palmas Fran Gil and the official immediately produced a red card leaving the home side to play for 70 minutes with just ten men.
This did very little to dampen the spirits of the yellow and blue ten men of Las Palmas B who are all looking for a possible call up to the rejuvenated Las Palmas first team who have climbed out of the relegation positions by winning four of their last six matches and losing the other two games to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Four minutes after the sending off a great challenge from centre back Falo prevented midfielder Chus Sosa from a free strike at goal from inside the box.
Some good goalkeeping from the Lanzarote keeper Agoney and quality defending kept the score goalless at the break.
The visitors found it difficult to create any opportunities in the second half as the young Las Palmas side failed to tire with their 10 men and looked the more positive side.
In the 74th minute a free kick just outside the area was played short to the Las Palmas captain Álvaro Arencibia who blasted the ball just inside the left hand post and gave his side a 1-0 lead.
The home side then went in search of a killer second goal but with good defending and goalkeeping the Rojillos weathered the storm and then with the introduction of Louis Kennedy began to show some signs of a fight back.
Seven minutes after replacing defender Acai Louis Kennedy on the right wing found Miguel Gómez on the far post and the midfielder struck home a powerful left foot drive inside the right hand post to level the score at 1-1.
Miguel has only just returned after a four game suspension which adds to his terrible disciplinary record this season and he also picked up another yellow in this match. When this boy does stay on the pitch he offers a serious threat and is such a sweet accurate striker of a ball so hopefully he can start to play the full 90 minutes.
Lanzarote saw out the remainder of the match mostly defending and were relieved to hear the ref blow his whistle for full time with only two minutes being added.
This Thursday 24th March at 12 noon Lanzarote will host CD Cotillo. The Fuerteventura side are one of only two clubs to beat Lanzarote this season and will be desperate to take something from the game as they are currently in fifth place and just four points from the final playoff spot.
It is obvious Lanzarote will be looking for a victory to possibly go top. Second placed side Santa Brígida host fourth placed Tenisca whilst league leaders Las Palmas B are away against Real Sporting who are fighting relegation.
GOALS
1-0 min 74 Arencibia
1-1 min 83 Miguel Gómez
