U.D IBARRA 1-1 U.D LANZAROTE
UD IBARRA 1 LANZAROTE 1, 30th September 2017,
The Rojillos return to the island after picking up a good point in the south of Tenerife after being a goal down at half time.
The eighth placed side enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half and will be kicking themselves that they didn’t go into the break with a two goal advantage.
In the fifth minute a low cross from the right rolling along the surface was met by striker Matias. From eight yards and the goal at his mercy the tall striker completely made a mess of his strike which tamely trickled out for a goal kick.
This did not deter the Ibarra front man as he terrorized Lanzarote´s defence the majority of the afternoon. Three minutes after his embarrassing effort the striker picked up a loose pass in the centre and weaved his way through making space for a shot, fortunately the Lanzarote keeper Sasha positioned himself correctly to make a comfortable save.
Lanzarote´s first sight at goal came in the 11th minute when Alex Cruz hit a good effort from the corner of the box forcing Ibarra keeper Adrián into a full stretched save tipping the ball for a corner kick.
In the 16th minute the home side had two great opportunities to take the lead in the space of seconds. Winger Sandro forced Sasha into a diving save from an effort from 12 yards, the ball fell kindly to Matias who side stepped his defender but Lanzarote´s teenage keeper stood tall until the strike and brilliantly saved with his right foot to deny the Tenerife striker and only concede a corner.
The resulting corner was played deep and the ball was headed back into the six yard box where defender Iray thought that he had headed his side into the lead but once again Sasha managed to tip the ball over producing another fine save.
Lanzarote offered very little in the first half as they were forced to defend and five minutes before the break a poor tackle from left back Josito on the edge of the area forced the referee into making a decision. On replays it does show that the Lanzarote defender did not touch the striker but from the officials position it did look a penalty and that is what he ordered.
Winger Sandro hit the ball low and hard into the bottom left hand corner and even though the ball grazed Sasha´s fingertips it was too powerful to prevent Ibarra going into the break 1-0 up.
Lanzarote came out for the second half with a much more positive approach. Manager Maxi Barrera introduced winger Miguel Gómez and striker Javi Trujillo. Ten minutes into the second half it was these two players who combined to level the score. Trujillo raced down the left wing and produced an inch perfect pass across the oppositions six yard box which allowed Miguel Gómez and easy tap in at the far post to score his second goal in consecutive weeks and to make the score 1-1.
Rojillos manager Maxi Barrera pleased with an away point.
In the 70th minute Lanzarote´s French goalkeeper produced another good diving save from Sandro´s effort to confirm his man of the match contention.
Another great performance from the teenage French keeper Sasha Roche.
Lanzarote did have the better of the chances in the second half and the Rojillos top scorer Javi Trujillo will be disappointed after being clear through in the 85th minute from a superb defence splitting pass by Borja but the striker could only find the body of the Ibarra keeper.
In the 88th minute a floated ball into the danger zone from a free kick by midfielder Castaño fell to Lanzarote centre back Kamara who thrashed the ball into the net only to see the linesman wave his flag for a dubious offside decision.
A minute later Miguel Gómez had a penalty appeal turned down as he seemed to have his feet taken from him as he was about to strike from the edge of the box but the referee waived away the appeals.
In the dying moments Ibarra had a great chance to win the match but a last ditch tackle by Dani Garcia ensured Lanzarote travelled home with a hard fought point.
Lanzarote remain in sixth spot and are three points off a playoff position. Next week Lanzarote are at home on Sunday 8th October at 12 noon versus 14th placed side CD Buzanada. This was the team that ended Lanzarote´s 43 home game unbeaten run last season with a 1-5 demolition so the Rojillos will be looking for revenge.
Fellow Lanzarote clubs Yaiza picked up an away point in a scoreless draw and are 9th, meanwhile Haria came from behind to earn a point in a 1-1 home draw and are in the final relegation spot.
GOALS
1-0 min 41 Sandro (penalty)
1-1 min 55 Miguel Gómez.
