LANZAROTE 2 CD MENSAJERO 0
UD Lanzarote will go into the Christmas break and end the year in third position and just three points off league leaders UD Las Palmas B following a super win played on a beautiful Sunday afternoon versus CD Mensajero.
The La Palma side were mid table going into this match but had been in good form, unbeaten in six matches, winning four of those whilst Lanzarote were in fourth after two defeats in three matches.
The weather forecast predicated rain and possible storms with the island being on yellow alert, however as often on a tiny island in the Atlantic ocean storms often pass us by and on this occasion it was a beautiful day to sit and watch a match in sunny 23 degrees weather.
The first half was quite even with Lanzarote having the best chance when new signing Iván Hujo expertly turned his defender but seemed to take a little too much time and the Mensajero defender blocked his effort with ease.
The Rojillos came out for the second half determined to give the packed stadium the entertainment that they craved and with the introduction of club captain Ayoze Pérez that is exactly what the crowd got.
A full stadium enjoying great football in beautiful weather.
Strikes from Adrián Machín, Javi Martín and Ayoze Pérez were either blocked or narrowly off target but the intention was there and the Rojillos were getting closer.
In the 59th minute the outstanding Adrián Machín delivered a pinpoint cross from the right gifting Ale Fuentes to get on the end of it, from the power of the cross Fuentes just needed to hit the target which he comfortably did to send his side 1-0 up.
The La Palma side were never going to lie down and submit. Ayoze Pérez was directing play in the midfield in search of finding that second goal to give his side breathing space. It was the captain that fired in a shot in the 73rd minute forcing the Mensajero keeper into a good save.
In the 83rd minute the visitors had their best opportunity of the match. A cross from the right along the six yard box had Lanzarote´s defence in tatters, striker David Barca got his foot on the end of it but the Rojillos keeper Ruyman bravely dived at his feet and managed to deflect the ball onto the post whilst centre back Raúl then cleared the danger.
That was a worrying moment for the 900 or so fans inside the stadium and all of those supporters were glad when their team decided to move up a gear.
Winger Adrián Machín was putting in a performance showing why last season the Rojillo fans voted him the player of the season. He delivered another beautiful cross and this time it was the hard working Bilbao striker Álvaro Iglesias that dived in at the far post to head home to give his side a deserved 2-0 win.
We now move into the Christmas and New Year break and when Lanzarote return they will face two away matches with the first being against Tenerife side CD Marino on Saturday 11th January at 12.30pm. The next home match is scheduled for 26th January versus CD Santa Úrsula.
GOALS
1-0 min 59 Ale Fuentes
2-0 min 89 Álvaro Iglesias
