LANZAROTE 2 C.F. PULIDO SAN MATEO 1, 29th March 2018,

LANZAROTE   2   CF PULIDO SAN MATEO   1,   29^th March 2018,  

A penalty by Borja deep into stoppage time gave the Rojillos their 19^th point out of a possible 21 and keeps them in the playoff positions with just seven games remaining.

Temperatures were into the late 20´s as kick off approached and hats off to both sides for producing an absolute cracker of a match in such heat.

Lanzarote seemed a little lethargic in the opening stages of the encounter but this was because the Tenerife side didn’t allow their opponents a second on the ball and were not shy in going forward.

The first chance of the match fell to the Rojillos in the 12^th minute when striker Javi Melian´s dipping header back across goal from a Kamara centre just went inches wide of the right hand post.

In the 17^th minute Lanzarote lost possession in the centre of midfield. Striker Samuel stole the ball and raced through the centre and placed his effort with power wide of keeper Sasha to send his side into a deserved 0-1 lead.

The game really did turn into a competitive but fair battle with both teams looking to attack. The Tenerife side are sitting in mid table and really do not have much to play for but rarely do you see a visiting side come at Lanzarote from the opening whistle on their own turf.

A piece of genius by Rojillos midfielder Enrique Castaño almost pulled Lanzarote level in the 27^th minute. Just short of the half way line the Lanzarote playmaker saw the keeper on his penalty spot and fired in a shot which beat the goalkeeper but unfortunately hit the right hand post on the meat and flew to safety.

The same player struck a free kick from 25 yards seven minutes later which forced the Tenerife keeper into a good low save at his right hand post.

The half ended with great chances for both sides. Javi Betancort was denied by a brilliant save from the Tenerife keeper from a close range header, then a cross from the left by winger Felipe opened up the Lanzarote defence and Samuel must have thought he had put his side two up but saw his header go wide of the right hand post with the goal at his mercy.

Just before the break Samuel had another chance when he was clean through the centre but keeper Sasha stood tall and produced another excellent save to the relief of his defence.

Seven minutes into the second half and a corner from Enrique Castaño on the right found Kamara at the far post. The Lanzarote defender needed all of his neck muscles to produce the power once the ball had bounced, he managed to do this and head home from five yards to bring his side level at 1-1.

On the hour the visitors broke down the right and a centred cross found midfielder Mario however he lacked composure and will be upset that he blasted the ball over the crossbar from 12 yards when left unattended.

Five minutes on and Lanzarote substitute Trujillo latched onto some intelligent play by Rosmen and tried to beat the keeper at his near post from 12 yards, once again the Tenerife keeper produced a great save deflecting the effort into the side netting.

Just a minute later the Tenerife defence scrambled the ball off the goal line from a corner and Trujillo on the turn from six yards was unlucky to see the ball come off the crossbar. From this the visitors broke and went straight through the middle but an excellent covering tackle from Josito prevented two players being in on goal.

With Lanzarote surging forward in search of the winner it was bound to leave them more open defensively. In the 69^th minute the visitors once again broke through the centre. Striker Felipe was clean through, his shot was superbly saved by Sasha but the ball fell kindly to sub Lionel but thankfully from a Rojillo point of view he wasted the opportunity by firing high over the crossbar from 15 yards.

It was all go with counter attacks from both teams, Trujillo, Rosmen and Alex Cruz all coming close for the home side whilst Samuel was creating havoc for the visitors.

In the 92^nd minute a free kick deep on the right flank was whipped in by Marcos Cabrera and with the referee well positioned he spotted Mario tugging a Rojillo shirt and awarded Lanzarote a lifeline by pointing to the penalty spot. Lanzarote´s dynamo of a midfielder Borja sent the keeper the wrong way placing the ball inside the right hand post to win his side all three points.

Lanzarote are level on points with fourth placed Las Palmas C and five points behind third placed CD Mensajero who scored a late winner away against league leaders Tenerife B.

This Sunday 1^st April at 12 noon sees Lanzarote playing away versus fellow island club CF Haría. Haría maybe bottom and resigned to a return to the Regional league but they will be motivated to spoil the Rojillos surge towards a playoff finish.

We are arranging a bus to this match which is 12 Euros return from Puerto Del Carmen and you can contact me via the Facebook Page Lanzarote Football Club or see me at the Puerto Del Carmen Friday market in the Old Town between 9.30am and 1.30pm on the club stall.

GOALS

• 0-1 min 17 Samuel
• 1-1 min 53 Kamara
• 1-2 min 95 Borja (Penalty)