U.D.LANZAROTE 0-0 C.D.MARINO

LANZAROTE   0   CD MARINO   0,    2^nd October 2016.

There may have not been any goals but this match was far from boring. Los Rojillos (The Reds) dominated the match creating many opportunities but a combination of great goalkeeping and the woodwork prevented Lanzarote claiming all three points.

The Tenerife side went into this match as league leaders winning four and drawing two of their six matches played but they were forced to defend the majority of this game.

Lanzarote began on the front foot. Rojillos midfielder Marcos Cabrera had two efforts on goal in the seventh and ninth minute; the first was a bullet of a shot going just a metre wide of the left hand post and the second clearing the bar by a few feet.

In the 20^th minute a beautiful cross field pass from defender Raúl sent winger Toñito on the chase, as the ball bounced the goalkeeper completely clattered Toñito and in what seemed a clear penalty the Referee waived play on.

The Rojillos were on top and looking sharp. In the 22^nd minute a long throw from near the corner flag was headed on from Javi Betancort to Javi Melian, in an instant the striker side footed the ball from the flick on but the Tenerife keeper produced a top quality save palming the ball away for a corner.

Lanzarote were in the middle of a great spell but just could not apply that finishing touch to compliment their great build up play.

A rare defensive headed clearance for the visitors in the 25^th minute fell to Toñito on the edge of the area, he then found Javi Melian in the six yard box and with two players breathing down his neck he laid the ball to playmaker Borja whose blasted effort from 15 yards was desperately blocked at the last second resulting in just a corner.

A minute later and Miguel Gómez did extremely well from the narrowest of angles to volley the ball  along the goal line after latching on to a deep cross to the far post. Unfortunately there was nobody there to put a toe onto the ball to tap it home.

For the remainder of the half the Tenerife side regained composure and were pleased to go into the break with the game scoreless.

The Rojillos dominance did not falter in the second half and eight minutes after the restart Borja spread the play over to Toñito on the right wing. A clever return pass from the stand in Lanzarote captain allowed Borja to race to the by line on the edge of the box and chip over to the far post. Javi Betancort steamed in but saw his powerful header brilliantly saved by the on loan Las Palmas keeper. The rebound hit the knee of Javi Melian and again ex under 19 Serbia and Montenegro keeper  Marko Cicovic saved and eventually the ball was scrambled away.

In the 59^th minute the visitors had their first shot on target, from a narrow angle though only from six yards out midfielder Colly blasted the ball but the Lanzarote keeper Alejandro stood firm as the ball cannoned off his body and away to safety.

Brad Cockerill who was starting his first home game in a year after returning from his knee injury worryingly went down in pain in the 65^th minute clutching his knee. Thankfully it was just a muscle strain to the relief of his Dad Ian sitting in the stands.

The Rojillos new signing, striker Yeremy replaced Javi Melian and looked sharp and confident on the ball. In the 69^th minute Cicovic once again produced a first class save from the Lanzarote substitute.

Lanzarote were desperately in search of the win and in added on time Raúl broke free of his marker from a corner and timed his run to perfection but saw his thunderous header come crashing off the crossbar, so close to a perfect ending.

Lanzarote slip to 10^th spot, three points off the playoffs and five points adrift of new league leaders, Fuerteventura side El Cotillo.

Next week Lanzarote travel to Gran Canaria and face second from bottom club Arucas C.F .