LANZAROTE 1 CD SANTA ÚRSULA 0
The Rojillos continued their good form with their third consecutive victory and although they remain in sixth spot they are just one point adrift of the fifth and final playoff position with a game in hand.
Prior to the match 15 year old Aythami Machado was greeted with a round of applause by the Rojillo fans and players and was presented with a signed club shirt. The teenager suffered a heart attack whilst training a month ago and was rushed to Gran Canaria in critical condition. He was released from hospital recently and the great news is that his health has improved immensely. Let’s all hope his condition continues to improve and that he is back on the pitch where every youngster who loves the game should be.
On the road to recovery 15 year old Aythami Machado.
This was never and proved to be no easy match. Lanzarote have always had difficulty scoring against the Tenerife side with last season’s two matches ending in a goalless stalemate, along with this Santa Úrsula was on a roll taking seven points in their last three games and began the day in 8th spot and a single point behind the Rojillos.
As predicted the first half was tight. Lanzarote dominated possession which is particularly good to do when there is not a cloud in sight and 30 degrees blazing sun burning down on the players. One did feel that the team chasing the ball would eventually tire the quickest and opportunities would arise.
Rodrigo came close in the 16th minute when his volley flew over the crossbar and on the half hour a clever training ground free kick nearly paid dividends. Traoré played the ball short for Adrián Machín who in turn fed Meca on the edge of the box but his curling powerful strike cleared the crossbar by a foot.
After an untidy first half it was noticeable that Lanzarote moved up a notch in the second period looking for a return on their dominance. In the 51st minute Di Renzo won the ball on the halfway line and fed Meca on the right wing, his excellent cross was met on the half volley from Traoré but the Santa Úrsula keeper and captain Juanje pulled off a brilliant diving save. Di Renzo looked certain to score from the rebound and blasted the ball to what looked to everyone in the crowd a goal only for Juanje to pull off another incredible save.
Birmingham City supporters enjoying the terrific weather as well as the footy.
Five minutes later and the impressive midfielder Fabricio spread the ball to Traoré on the right. The Ivory Coast winger cut inside and released Di Renzo. The Argentinian striker fired in a powerful effort from 12 yards but from a narrow angle the Tenerife keeper was not going to be beaten.
In the 62nd minute a harmless through ball down the centre was chased by Rodrigo. The Brazilian used his lightning pace to squeeze in between the two centre backs to get a toe onto the ball to stroke it low into the bottom right hand corner and give his side a deserved 1-0 lead.
Rodrigo with yet another superb performance topped off with the winning goal.
The visitors did up their game though were unable to get a shot past a vastly improved Rojillo defence and returned home with nothing other than a suntan.
Next Saturday Lanzarote travel to Tenerife to play UD Ibarra. The 13th placed side are struggling and have not tasted victory in their last six matches. This poor form has led them to be just one point and one position from the relegation places.
GOALS
1-0 min 62 Rodrigo
