LANZAROTE 1 U.D. VILLA SANTA BRÍGIDA 0, 3rd February 2019

LANZAROTE 1 UD VILLA STA BRÍGIDA 0, 3^rd February 2019,

A goal early in the second half by Nico González (photo) earned Lanzarote three precious points against their playoff rivals which moves the Rojillos to within three points of that final playoff position.

The players, management and fans all knew the importance of this match. Had Lanzarote lost to the Gran Canarian side there would have been a nine point gap between them.

During the week the paperwork for the new Argentinean centre back Luciano Pierce was completed and manager Maxi Barerra had no hesitation in handing the 21 year old a starting position in the heart of the Lanzarote defence.

He rewarded his manager with a near perfect performance. Standing over six foot three inches tall (193cm) the debutant read the match so well and played with an air of confidence that Maxi Barerra will be delighted with.

New boy Luciano Pierce settling in very nicely.

The opening of this match was always going to be tight. The fourth placed side were happy to sit back and try and keep the score goalless for as long as possible then try and hit the Rojillos on the break.

In a stalemate of a first half Alex Cruz shot over in the 25^th minute but the best chance fell to the visitors when a creative move led to midfielder Héctor finding himself with a free strike at goal from 12 yards, fortunately for Lanzarote he shot narrowly wide as the half ended goalless.

Great work from Dani García splitting the oppositions defence for the crucial goal.

There was a much better tempo to the second period with the Rojillos on the front foot. In the 52^nd minute right back Daní García carved open the Santa Brigída defence with a delicate through ball, Rosmen read the script and cut back from the by-line, this left the goalkeeper stranded and Lanzarote´s other Argentinean player Nico González slotted home from six yards to give his side a priceless 1-0 lead.

Nico González scoring the winner.

The visitors now had to score so the game became much more open though it was the home side that looked the more dangerous going forward.

In the 70^th minute a determined run down the right wing from Nico González followed by an equally great far post cross found Ayoze Pérez but from two yards the keeper did superbly covering his angles and produced a brilliant instinct save with his arm to keep his side in the match.

A good crowd for February but still plenty of seats available. No need to book.

Five minutes later and another well worked move from Lanzarote allowed Ayoze Pérez another crack at goal from 15 yards. The dynamo midfielder struck the ball so well and all in the stand were sure he had put his side two up but unfortunately he fired narrowly wide and it was the net behind the goal that was hit.

Ayoze Pérez coming close to extending the lead on two occasions.

The visitors went in search of a point though they were met with a very strong and organised Rojillo defence with new boy Luciano Pierce the centerpiece and becoming a crowd favourite in his first 90 minutes of football wearing the Lanzarote shirt.

The Rojillos went on to secure their first win in five games and their first clean sheet since the 2^nd of December. They remain in 5^th spot but are only one win away from today’s opponents who stay in 4^th.

Next week Lanzarote have a mammoth task when they travel to face league leaders UD Tamaraceite. The Gran Canarian side are six points clear at the top and have scored more goals than anyone else in the league whilst conceding the least amount. This away game has been confirmed for Saturday at 12.30pm.

Nevertheless UD Lanzarote has made a serious statement during the transfer window of their intentions of trying to be able to play Segunda B (Third Tier) football next season.

Both Luciano and play-maker Enrique Castaño are wonderful captures and will give their side every chance in this world of finishing the season in a playoff position.