U.D.LANZAROTE 1-1 ELCHE B
LANZAROTE 1 ELCHE B 1, 29th May 2016.
Los Rojillos (The Reds) hopes of playing Segunda B (League 1) football ended early Sunday evening after failing to pull back a 2-0 deficit from the away leg.
The biggest crowd by some distance this season of between 3500-4000 souls turned up believing Lanzarote could win especially with their magnificent home record of not accepting defeat in 40 league matches and counting.
Lanzarote’s biggest crowd of the season. producing an exceptional atmosphere.
The atmosphere inside the ground was buzzing with Batucadas (Carnival bands) with their full array on instruments creating a special occasion.
Non stop rhythm from the Batucadas.
Just before kick off the UD Lanzarote President Machín with the Rojillos most famous fan Antonio presented goalkeeper Agoney with his Player of the Season Cup and trophy voted for by the fans. A trophy well deserved by this most humblest of men.
Lanzarote’s Player Of The Season Agoney having his trophy presented to him by President Machín and number one fan Antonio.
When club secretary Domingo Gil told the players who had won the award a few days previous, Agoney didn’t even know that there had been a vote as he doesn’t use Facebook. His surprise was a picture of shock and gratefulness. This top bloke raised his trophy to the fans which only ignited the atmosphere if that was possible. Lanzarote´s top five voted players this season are as follows:
1. Agoney
2. Miguel Gómez
3. Rosmen
4. Fran Gil
5. Mauri
Not a problem for the Villa fans as they are used to disappointment this season.
The game began at a predictably fast pace with Lanzarote looking to claw back the two goal disadvantage as early as possible.
Vladi and Mauri both had good chances to give The Rojillos the dream start they were craving but both opportunities failed to find the target.
Colombian striker Mauri searching for a way through a very stubborn defence.
In the 19th minute disaster struck as a mix up in the Lanzarote defence allowed Striker Nuha the chance to have a clean strike at goal from 12 yards. The tall centre forward who is on loan from Segunda Di vision A (Championship) side Llagostera is used to scoring in the playoffs as he did last season scoring the winning goal to promote his team. He looks as though he has a bright future ahead of him.
If Lanzarote were to progress now they would need to score four goals without reply. One could feel the numbness of the crowd as the silence was deafening. For the next 10 minutes Lanzarote were trying to get air back in their lungs after receiving this killer punch.
It may not be the result these lads were hoping for, nevertheless a great day out.
Old boys Vladi, Marcos Cabrera and Rosmen rallied their troops and gradually began to find their playing rhythm once more.
The home side finished the half in a flurry; Rosmen turned inside the box but could only see his strike come off the post and away to safety.
Rojillos manager Adolfo Pérez made two substitutions during the half time break bringing on Louis Kennedy and Ayoze Pérez replacing Fran Gil and Vladimir.
Rojillos manager Adolfo Pérez not lacking any passion.
Lanzarote had little choice but to play three at the back and hope for an early goal in the second half. Just a few minutes into the second period and it looked as though Adolfo’s gamble might just pay off. Kennedy broke through the centre and was one on one with the Elche goalkeeper, however the keeper stood tall till the last second and managed to get a hand on the ball preventing what would have been a certain goal.
British boy Kennedy coming ever so close to scoring early in the second half.
It wasn’t until the 67th minute that Lanzarote finally broke down the Elche defence. Winger Louis Kennedy crossed the ball from the right wing into the box and a quite unbelievable ankle height header from Rosmen was guided into the bottom left hand corner to level the score at 1-1.
A good performance from winger Toñito.
The Rojillos pressed forward but with just over 20 minutes remaining time was not on their side as they had to score three more goals to be in the draw for the next round of the playoffs.
La Peña Trifulkas (Fan club) never giving up.
The visitors came close to winning the match as winger Iván Agudo rounded the Lanzarote keeper Agoney but from a narrow angle struck the post.
Minutes later in the space of 30 seconds, Rosmen and Ayoze Pérez forced the Elche keeper to produce two excellent saves and then a shot from Miguel Gómez narrowly missed the top left corner with a strike on the edge of the box.
Time eventually ran out condemning Lanzarote to another year in the Tercera Division (FourthTier). Emotions ran high at the full time whistle with Toñito receiving a straight red card and players from both sides involved in a small scuffle in which the Police had to intervene.
Fans offering their sympathy at the end of the match.
Elche B have been drawn against Gran Canarian side Santa Brígida in the second round of the playoffs and judging by the quality of this youthful side they have every chance of promotion to the Segunda B (League 1).
GOALS
0-1 min 19 Nuha
1-1 min 67 Rosmen
