CF UNIÓN VIERA 4 LANZAROTE 3, 30th March 2019,

CF UNIÓN VIERA 4 LANZAROTE 3, 30^th March 2019,

Rojillos manager Maxi Barrera would have been delighted that his side scored three goals away from home if his opponents wouldn’t have scored four.

The Lanzarote defence at times this season has looked like a rock but on other occasions it has resembled the UK trying to withdraw from the EU.

The Lanzarote manager was very quiet after the game but inside he would have been furious that on two occasions his side surrended the lead and then didn’t even come home with a point.

The Gran Canarian side knew that they needed a win if they were going to compete for a playoff position in May. Before the start of the day they trailed the Rojillos by five points and now they are just a game away from a top four playoff spot.

Despite the loss Lanzarote slip one place into that last playoff position because the sides competing for a place in Spain’s third league Segunda B all drew. This was a very good weekend for the Gran Canarian side.

The game had a good feel about it from the off with the home side doing most of the early running but Lanzarote were thrilling on the break.

The locals had two strikes at goal in the opening stages but they did not threaten the Lanzarote keeper Agoney.

In the 25^th minute Miguel Gómez let the left back know that he was going to be in for a difficult afternoon when he turned him inside out on the right wing but unfortunately his strike from 20 yards lacked the power to worry the home keeper.

It wasn’t the result the away fans were hoping for but there was plenty of entertainment.

The Gran Canarian side took the lead in the 29^th minute when striker Kevin Mendoza slotted home across the goal and his side were 1-0 up.

The lead lasted barely two minutes. Ayoze Pérez sent a great through ball and there is no one on the Lanzarote side who loves running onto the ball than Miguel Gómez. His pace was astonishing as was his close control. He whizzed past the defender and planted the ball low under the oncoming keeper to draw his side level at one apiece.

In the 39^th minute everyone in the ground thought that Lanzarote had taken the lead. A great ball into the six yard box found centre back Luciano. The Argentine made great contact but from just five yards he could only agonizingly blast the ball over the crossbar.

Only two minutes into the second half and Alex Yunes did give Lanzarote a 1-2 lead when he finished off a flick on by Rosmen.

The hosts held their belief and in the 52^nd minute Kevin Mendoza scored his and his teams second to level matters at 2-2.

In a thrilling match only three minutes later and the tide once again turned in favour of the Rojillos when Alex Yunes showed what a good striker he is when he instinctively fired home to give Lanzarote a 2-3 advantage.

In the 66^th minute there was huge controversy as the referee ordered a spot kick for Unión Viera when a challenge from Rosmen was adjudged to have been a foul.

The Lanzarote captain had his eyes on the ball when the players collided but the official to his credit was just metres away and immediately pointed to the spot. Defender Xiraxi made no mistake sending Agoney the wrong way to level at 3-3.

The Lanzarote defence was carved open again five minutes later when a deep cross from the left found midfielder Héctor Ortega on the far post and his controlled header into the far post did not give Agoney a hope and the Gran Canarians were in front 4-3.

Substitute Nico González looked lively but unfortunately it was him and Alex Yunes only tuned in to the same wavelength as their teammates stuttered and could not break down the defence for a fourth time.

Nevertheless it was an extremely entertaining game played on a gorgeous sunny day in Las Palmas and the Rojillos are still fourth.

This Sunday the 7^th of April at 12 noon Lanzarote are home and face bottom club CD El Cotillo.

The Fuerteventura side were dead and buried a couple of months ago but after having taken 17 points in their last nine matches are now only five points from safety with seven matches remaining.

Points for both sides will be vital and Lanzarote will very much welcome the return of the suspended Javi Morales and the exceptional playmaker Enrique Castaño who should be fit after an ankle injury.

It was sad news last Tuesday to hear about the passing of Rojillo fan Mick Barber. Mick lived in Bolton and loved watching Lanzarote play whilst on his holidays. Condolences to his daughter Nicki who lives on the island and all Micks friends and family back in Bolton. R.I.P.