LANZAROTE 1 UD LAS PALMAS C 0
Just over five weeks ago the Rojillos were sitting firmly at the foot of the league table. They were then ordered to play 10 games in one month and despite the many obstacles that had been put in front of them they won their final league match avoiding the relegation playoffs and now head into the promotion playoffs.
The club welcomed the return of their fans under the watchful eye of the Cabildo (local government). The behaviour of the supporters was exemplary throughout the entire match in line with the strict rules imposed by the Cabildo. I doubt that there would be a single fan who regretted their decision to attend this historical match and those 200 fans gave their team that final surge of energy which was needed to grind out this result.
Prior to kick off a minutes silence was observed for all the victims of Covid as well as allowing our own fans to be able to pay homage to the Godmother of Lanzarote, Nina who died last October and a former Rojillo player Fausto who died last April.
Lanzarote had the better of the early exchanges but in the 20th minute all of that completely changed. The Gran Canarian side were awarded a penalty and Lanzarote were reduced to ten men as the accused Oriol was given a straight red card along with his manager Josu Uribe.
With Alejandro suspended it was up to Rúyman to keep his side in the game at such an early stage. Striker Pipo stepped up and planted a low shot to into the right hand corner, Rúyman chose the correct corner to the delight of almost everyone in the stadium and produced an excellent save.
In the 37th minute striker Abdoulaye got in front of the last defender and as those long legs of his gathered momentum defender Ojeda slid in for a challenge, missed the ball and clipped the Rojillo striker. He was also given a straight red card evening up the playing staff on the field to ten men each going into the half time break.
As the second half began Lanzarote had to up the pace of the match and go in search of that goal. The Las Palmas side were quite happy to sit back and with an abundance of youth at their disposal they were content to try and hit their opponents on the break.
On the hour mark and for the umpteenth occasion Rosmen won the first ball from a clearance and guided his header into the path of Abdoulaye, a great first touch and then a neat chip sent Miguel Gómez on goal but as he struck the two centre backs closed him down and blocked his effort. The Rojillos were knocking on the door.
Two minutes later and another strike from Gómez just went wide of the upright from 25 yards. In the 76th minute a quick throw from one of Lanzarotés top performers Miguel Gopar sent Gómez on a sprint down the right wing. His cross to the far post was headed back across goal from sub Giovanni however the keeper adjusted his footwork and saved comfortably.
By now news had filtered through that CD Unión Puerto were 2-0 up and if the scores remained the same then Lanzarote would be in the relegation playoffs.
The crowd urged their side on and in the 84th minute a trademark free kick from Miguel Gómez was dangerously whipped in, defender Javi Morales cleverly lost his marker and climbed at the far post to guide a header low into the opposite corner sending the Ciudad Deportiva stadium into a frenzy that hasn’t been seen for well over a year.
Javi Morales with a massive goal for his club.
Two minutes later and Lanzarote were reduced to nine men when centre back Matheus received his second yellow card. It was edge of the seat stuff and a painful five minutes added on time but Lanzarote held on to a priceless victory.
The promotion playoffs will begin on the 1st and 2nd of May as the Rojillos join a six team league playing their opponents both home and away (10 matches). The top two of this league will join four other sides that had finished in the top three of both groups to battle for one team to be promoted to Segunda B (Third Tier).
The fans maybe distanced but they were certainly united with their team.
There is a long and difficult road ahead for Lanzarote to gain promotion but they have proved time and time again this season that they are bang up for the challenge.
The club not only wishes to thank their supporters who were there at the match but a special thanks to all of you at home whether it be overseas or here on Lanzarote who have supported the club with its online raffle. This has been a vital source of income during this desperate period and for this match the club will benefit with a record 900 Euros. I will post all of the seven winners tomorrow.
GOALS
1-0 min 84 Javi Morales
