UD LAS PALMAS C 1 LANZAROTE 2

Two weeks ago Lanzarote was rooted to the bottom of the league with seven games played and just four points on the board. Roll on a fortnight and 13 points out of a possible 15 sees the Rojillos now chasing down a six point deficit for top spot.

Lanzarote knew that this was going to be a tough encounter against the youth of Las Palmas who had won their last five matches. A win for the Gran Canarians would have seen them go top by two clear points and a game in hand.

No fans allowed but Jacqui managed to see the game from a distance

The opening stages were very even with the yellow and blue of Las Palmas restricted to long distance efforts that didn’t trouble keeper Alejandro. Lanzarote had a wonderful opportunity to take the lead when Senegalese striker Abdoulaye Ba on his first start for the Rojillos was put through on goal but failed to beat the keeper.

In the 29^th minute the Gran Canarian side took the lead via a hotly disputed penalty which was despatched by the highly rated 21 year old Pipo Santana and momentarily Las Palmas were top of the league.

Momentarily lasted two minutes as the Rojillos hit back with a vengeance. A cross into the centre was touched on by Addoulaye Ba and the Brazilian Rodrigo fired in at the back post across goal to level the score at 1-1.

Las Palmas came close to regaining the league from a free kick just before the interval but the effort went over the crossbar.

The beginning of the second half was even but as the minutes passed it was noticeable that Lanzarote were tiring after playing their fifth game in 15 days. Rosmen who has been outstanding in the last five matches had to be replaced because his 40 year old legs were just about to give up on him. The young 23 year old Giovanni full of running took over from his captain.

The fresh legs of Giovanni replaced Rosmen.

Las Palmas continued to pressure Lanzarote but were met by a very well organised and stubborn defence. Keeper Alejandro made a couple of important saves but also Rojillos midfielder Keita was denied a goal from a header by a good save from the Gran Canarian keeper.

Brazilian Keita fitting into the Rojillos team like a glove.

In the 89^th minute a corner was swept in by Miguel Gómez, Giovanni gained possession at the far post and laid the ball back to the penalty spot to Ayoze Pérez and Mr Reliable thrashed the ball home to give his side a 1-2 win and complete his sides great weeks work with two away victories on the bounce.

On Sunday 28^th March Lanzarote will host league leaders UD San Fernando. The Gran Canarian side began the campaign in incredible form with seven wins and a draw in their opening eight matches, however in their last four games they have just picked up a single point and are only leaders on goal difference. Lanzarote are up to fifth in this ten team league and will be intent on closing the gap on the front runners.

Once again UD Lanzarote President Juan Carlos Albuixech offering tow bottle of Bermejo wine to his counterpart whilst receiving the Las Palmas History book.

The islands government is still not allowing fans into the ground and unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control we will be unable to stream the game live.

The club will be holding the online raffle with once again six great prizes with the star prize being two nights for two people including breakfast at the Sands Beach Resort in Costa Teguise.

The full list of prizes are as follows :