LANZAROTE 2 S.D. TENISCA 2, 19th January 2020,

LANZAROTE   2   S.D. TENISCA   2,    19th January 2020,     

What have Lanzarote got to do to win a match? The Rojillos should have been 3-0 up against the league leaders but shocking decisions from the referee ensured Lanzarote ended the match with their 13th draw of the season.

The La Palma side had won 10 of their last 11 matches that they have played and this was a contest that had delicious written all over it. It didn’t disappoint!

Prior to kick off our lady on the door Pilar who tirelessly organizes the raffle at every home match received a plaque on behalf of her mother Nina. Nina is the Madrina( Mother) of UD Lanzarote but unfortunately she has been unwell for some time. We all thank you both for your great work.

Rosmen presenting Pilar with flowers and a plaque.

The game began at a good pace with Lanzarote controlling the midfield with Gopar, Ayoze and new boy Kilian Benitez bossing the midfield.

In the 20th minute good work from Miguel Gopar set up Aday López for a crack at goal from the edge of the box, his low powerful effort was finger tipped away by the keeper for a corner kick.

From the resulting corner Ayoze Pérez´s out swinger was bang on the money for centre back Omar. His diving header at the near post was guided into the opposite corner giving Lanzarote a 1-0 lead.

Ten minutes on and only a super save from the Tenisca keeper prevented the Rojillos from doubling their lead. A low cross from Aday López found Alex Fuentes with his back to goal in the six yard box, his ingenious flick looked a certain goal but the keeper produced a brilliant save with his foot.

A promising debut from new boy Kilian Benitez.

The first big moment of controversy then happened when the ball clearly struck the hand of a defender but the referee with a clear view waived away claims for a Rojillo penalty.

The half ended with the Conejeros (locals) in command but with just a single goal advantage, this was never going to be enough to fend off the league’s top scorers.

Lanzarote remained in charge after the interval and on the hour mark striker striker Aday López was inches away from the left hand post with his low strike from 20 yards.

Only two minutes later and Ayoze Pérez who was absolutely everywhere on the pitch swung in a corner from the left. Striker Rami´s giant leap enabled him to head the ball like a rocket into the top left hand corner giving his side a well deserved 2-0 advantage.

Celebrating the goal of Rami amid the beautiful sunshine.

With 20 minutes remaining the second talking point of the match occurred. A strike from the edge of the box by Gopar was saved at full stretch by the keeper, Alex Fuentes pounced onto the loose ball and smashed it home to what he and all the fans had thought was their third goal.  The official then ruled out the goal to the amazement of both sets of players. He believed that the Lanzarote winger had kicked the ball out of the keeper’s hands but it looked as though he got this decision wrong.

The visitors got back into the match in the 73rd minute with ex Rojillo player Dani López pouncing like a great striker he is and thrashing the ball home from close range.

The league leaders saw blood and for the first time in the match looked threatening. The Lanzarote defence stood firm but then a hoisted ball into the centre caused the third moment of controversy. A Lanzarote defender jumped and misjudged the ball and with his eyes in front the ball clipped his trailing fingers and the referee somehow saw this as intentional and awarded a spot kick to Tenisca.

Up stepped Dani López extending his lead at the top of the goal scoring charts to 18 but more importantly earning his side an unlikely point.

As the striker set off to celebrate his passing arm was raised in triumph to the Lanzarote supporters. Unfortunately a few of the fans took the bait and along with some poor refereeing decisions a handful of supporters whose patience had reached boiling point stepped over the fence and demonstrated their anger to the man in the middle.

Dani López earning his side a point with a disputed penalty.

Obviously this is something that cannot be accepted and repercussions are bound to follow. In the light of day one would hope that the people in charge will realize there was really no threat to the officials and that sanity will prevail should there be any disciplinary measures.

Because of this fracas the referee stopped play whilst talking to the local police. It was decided that before play would continue the National police would be called.

In total the game was held up for 20 minutes in order to play the final few minutes of the match. The match ended in another draw for the Rojillos sending them up one place to 14th and three points off the relegation positions whilst Tenisca relinquish top spot but will be delighted to be in second place and just a single point behind new league leaders CD Marino.

Photos of this match along with highlights are on Facebook page Lanzarote football club.

Next week Lanzarote it won’t get much easier as Lanzarote travel to La Palma to face third placed side CD Atlético Paso.

     GOALS

1-0 min 21 Omar

2-0 min 62 Rami

2-1 min 73 Dani López

2-2 min 88 Dani López (penalty)