UD Lanzarote 2 CD Marino 1
27th February 2012
This brilliant win moves the Rojillos up to sixth in the league table following a fantastic 90 minutes of football and then four minutes of heart rendering drama against third placed side Club Deportiva Marino.The game began and continued at a frantic pace. The Tenerife side posed a severe threat with the league’s top duo, Balduino and Noah. These strike partners have bagged a total of 35 goals between them this season beating the entire squad of Lanzarote by eight goals.
The movement as an attacking force was electric but the Lanzarote defence stood up to the challenge with honours. This was made even more credible as the Rojillos were without three regulars in the back four due to suspension and injury.
The visitors had several chances to take the initiative but the Lanzarote goalkeeper proved to be in inspired form. In the 14thminute Ayoze cleverly beat the offside trap and squared a perfect pass to Toñito, the striker’s first touch was excellent and from six yards blasted his second touch low into the bottom right hand corner sending Lanzarote 1-0 up.
Both sides immediately went in search of another goal. In the 36thminute striker Balduino found himself inside the area and had a clean strike at goal. His effort was deflected onto a post and just as his strike partner Noah was about to pounce somehow Ruymán scrambled the ball away to safety.
Three minutes later and it was Lanzarote´s turn to break through the back four. Great work from central midfield duo Jotha and Gustavo sent Toñito clear through. The keeper sprinted out to narrow the angle so Toñito chipped the ball but failed to get enough height to clear the outstretched arms of the relieved goalkeeper.
Two minutes before the end of the half the visitors had another wonder chance to restore parity. From eight yards out midfielder Peraza had a clean strike at goal but found that Ruymán had his reflexes spot on as he went low and saved with his feet. As the half time whistle blew both players and spectators drew a huge breath of air as the intensity of the match was at fever pitch.
If the first half had been thrilling the second period proved to be jaw dropping. The visitors were always likely to score and in the third minute the league’s second top scorer Noah received the ball inside the area and wasted no time firing past a well beaten Ruymán to level the match at one apiece.
The Rojillos then went back on the offensive. Five minutes later and Toñito picked the ball up in central midfield and fed Gustavo. Toñito carried on his run and nodded down the return pass from Gustavo and volleyed the ball wide of the Tenerife keeper and into the far corner sending Lanzarote back in front at 2-1.
The game had the cup feel about it with Lanzarote in search of three points to keep up with the playoff pack and C.D. Marino looking to catch up with the two teams above them who had played out a goalless draw the day prior. Both sides were 100% committed and tackles were flying in and yellow cards were brandished but still the Rojillos held on.
In the closing minutes the Tenerife side had just about invaded the 18 yard box of Lanzarote when Toñito broke clear from the edge of his area. No one was going to catch him and as he drew the keeper in he then released the ball at the perfect moment for Sub Rosmen for a simple tap in. As the crowd began to cheer the out of luck striker horrifically struck the ball into the side netting.
The crowd didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and really they didn’t have time for either as the visitors piled on another ferocious bombardment. Lanzarote cleared the ball off the line, were throwing bodies at the ball and still the away side wouldn’t relent. In the final minute of the four added on for stoppage time Cristo Martín toyed with the right back on the by-line, finally he pulled the ball back to the Noah who struck the bar and on the follow up the fantastic Lanzarote keeper saved with his feet from five yards from Jordan and then at last the Ref blew allowing everyone to gather their breath.
An outstanding game of football by both teams was rewarded with generous applause on a beautiful sunny hot day in Arrecife by the home fans.
The Rojillos have moved up one place to sixth but still trail the playoff spots by six points. Next Sunday Lanzarote travel to Gran Canaria to face C.D. San Pedro Martír who are just one point safe of the relegation positions
