CD EL COTILLO 2 LANZAROTE 2, 12th November 2017,

CD EL COTILLO   2   LANZAROTE   2,   12^th November 2017,  

Los Rojillos fall behind twice but comeback to earn a point in a match that they dominated in front of at least half of the 450 crowd which were Lanzarote fans to see their team move up to third spot.

These Fuerteventura days out are getting more and more popular. The club offered resident fans a 20 Euro excursion which included the bus, ferry and even a bocadillo (roll) and a drink at the end of the match which saw many snap up this tremendous offer.

The two buses that were loaded with fans and players were also joined with many others that chose to drive over and make a weekend out of the trip and also Lanzarote residents living on Fuerteventura.

The atmosphere was excellent and the day could have only been bettered if left back Josito´s 30 yard missile of a shot had crept inside the post rather than fly off it in the latter stages of the match.

On another scorching hot day with temperatures soaring into the late 20´s which was not helped with the uncovered stand the game began at a good pace.

Lanzarote dominated possession in the opening five minutes and Alex Cruz forced the Cotillo keeper into a good save. Only a minute later and as often happens in football the team being pressured then sprung into life and against the run of play took the Lanzarote defence by surprise. Midfielder Raúl Sosa squeezed in between the defenders and saw his excellent header beat the outstretched Rojillos keeper Sasha to give his side a 1-0 lead.

The visitors carried on with their passing and kept control of the ball and whilst this didn’t have an immediate impact it certainly did tire the Fuerteventura side especially in the latter stages of the match as they were forced to chase the ball in the extreme heat.

In the 26^th minute Lanzarote´s number 10 Borja surged through the centre of the pitch avoiding the challenge of two players and released a perfect pass on the left to Gastón Cedres. The 18 year old winger who was in delightful form on the day beat one defender then cut inside past another but was clipped on his heel in the area as he fired in his shot. Excellent play by the referee allowed the advantage to continue but with no advantage gained the official correctly pointed to the spot. Borja sent the keeper the wrong way slotting the ball into the left corner to level at 1-1.

All was set for Lanzarote to take control of the match but the Fuerteventura side had not read the script that was written by the Lanzarote fans during their beer breakfast in the Playa Blanca harbour.

Ten minutes later and a quick short corner kick caught Lanzarote napping. The ball was given to striker Roberto just off the edge of the right hand side of the box and before he could be closed down he fired in a powerful swerving shot that Sasha did well to parry but the follow up allowed defender Pelayo to slot the ball home and give his side a 2-1 advantage to take into the half time break.

Rojillos manager Maxi Barrera brought on defender Raúl and the exciting attacking left midfielder Miguel Gómez for the second half. Lanzarote as they had for most of the match enjoyed the majority of possession but now had the capacity to attack with intent.

Gastón was nothing short of brilliant causing constant mayhem for the Cotillo defence on the right whilst Miguel Gómez who can be a managers nightmare as he drifts in and out of a game but in this match he was an absolute joy to watch as he beat player after player down the left wing.

Finally in the 63^rd minute Lanzarote deservedly made it 2-2 when a long throw by Raúl was flicked on at the near post and quick reactions from Captain Ayoze Pérez enabled him to guide his header into the bottom left hand corner.

The Fuerteventura side just knew that they were going to be lambs to the slaughter for the next half hour but in their defence they stood up admirably to wave after wave of Lanzarote attack and also had a helping hand from Lady Luck on a couple of occasions.

A free kick from 20 yards from Ayoze Pérez was superbly executed as it dipped over the wall leaving the keeper as a spectator but his effort hit the underside of the bar and was belted away to safety.

Amidst all this action a scuffle broke out in what was a reasonably clean but highly competitive match which resulted in Kamara for Lanzarote and striker Sandro for Cotillo receiving their marching orders.

The Rojillos had good chances with Enrique Castaño, Alex Cruz and Ayoze Pérez to find the winner but the Fuerteventura defence even though they were falling like flies with cramp still defended bravely.

Left back Josito and all the Lanzarote fans thought that he had won the match in added on time when he struck the ball so sweetly from 30 yards and as the ball whistled through the air and as the fans rose to celebrate an incredible winner the ball hit the top right hand post and the fans delight faded instantly to disappointment.

The home side dug deep and held onto the draw and as it goes an away point for the Rojillos is still a good point which also sees them move up one place to third spot in the table.

Next Sunday 19^th November at 12 noon Lanzarote have the chance to close the six point gap on the two sides above them when they take on 17^th placed Gran Canarian side Estrella CF.

To finish off the day players and fans mingled on the ferry with their raffle tickets and had much laughter during the draw which a total of 30 prizes were won including signed team shirts, balls as well as High Tea for Two from Café de la Plaza in Puerto Calero and also a roast dinner for two at Arthurs bar in PDC, Martin from Colorworks who does all our posters for free donated 2 tickets from his outdoor cinema Rooftops in the Biosfera shopping complex along with other great prizes donated by fans. In total the raffle raised 296 Euros for the club.

Lanzarote Villas Direct kindly donated 50 Euros which was used in a draw for the squad of 16 players. British boy Brad Cockerill was delighted to be the player drawn out of the hat.

Finally after such a hugely fun and successful day I would like to say a massive thank you to Carole Spendley who not only picked me up in the morning so I could participate in enjoying the odd drink or two but this gem of a person took care of all the paperwork for the foreign fans, organised the raffle, donated prizes and helped me crawl out of her car at the end of the trip.

Carole is always the person who gets to our home ground first and puts up all the signs which would never be done without her, assists Nina and Pilar in the raffle and also helps the parents when their children join the players as mascots. She is just brilliant! Thanks Carole on behalf of every person who has even a small part of their heart connected to U.D. Lanzarote.

GOALS

1-0 min 6 Raúl Sosa

1-1 min 27 Borja (penalty)

2-1 min 37 Pelayo

2-2 min 63 Ayoze Pérez