LANZAROTE 1 CD SANTA ÚRSULA 1, 25th August 2019,

LANZAROTE   1   CD SANTA ÚRSULA   1,   25^th August 2019,  

Unión Deportiva Lanzarote began the season with a disappointing home draw in a match where they had plenty of opportunities to claim all three points.

Lanzarote walked onto the pitch wearing yellow shirts with words of support to their sister island of Gran Canaria that have been inundated with a series of savage fires.

The game took a little while to find its feet and it was that man Miguel Gómez who led the way.

In the 27^th minute Lanzarote´s probably best new signing of the season Miguel Gopar battled to win the ball in midfield then had the vision to thread a ball through to Miguel, with one deft touch last season’s player of the year set the ball onto his left foot and curled the ball from the edge of the box wide of the keeper and into the top left hand corner to give his side a 1-0 advantage.

Five minutes later and another new boy 20 year old Alex Fuentes stripped his defender down the left flank and pulled the ball back to the penalty spot, Nico González did everything right with a powerful low shot but the keeper Juanje who was to be heavily involved in this match did superbly saving with his right foot when a goal looked certain.

Lanzarote looked much the better side and with Miguel Gómez tantalizing the crowd with his incredible footwork most thought as the teams went into the break it would only be a matter of time until the Rojillos extend their lead.

The most controversial part of the match happened on the hour mark. A lovely chipped ball from Nico sent Miguel Gómez through the centre, it was clear to see from everyone in the stadium that he touched the ball past the keeper and then was completely taken out. The home crowd was in shock as the official waived away the penalty appeals.

There was no question that this was a penalty and a red card but also for good measure the keeper looked behind then walked back knowing exactly where Miguel was then stamped on him, again the officials missed this.

This may sound like sour grapes but I rarely ever criticize referees and have the utmost respect for their job that they do.

Nevertheless the Rojillos were 1-0 up and looking good. In the 66^th minute Rosmen flicked the ball onto the path of Miguel and from 30 yards he let rip with a wonder dipping volley but the Santa Úrsula keeper pulled off a terrific one handed save in the top right hand corner.

Still Lanzarote surged forward looking for the breathing space of that second goal. In the 72^nd minute Josito did so well getting his head to the ball in front of the defender on the left wing, he looked up and squared the ball into the path of Nico González but the Argentinian from eight yards and with just the keeper in front of him sliced his shot wide of the right hand post.

With all these missed chances and decisions going against the Rojillos it was almost inevitable that they would pay the price.

In the 85^th minute the Tenerife side pumped the ball forward and some disastrous defending allowed Sub Joel to pass the ball home into an empty net to make the score 1-1 to gift the visitors a point.

It wouldn’t have been the result that new Mister Jero Santana was looking for though overall it was a good performance with Miguel excelling but a very good showing for new boys Miguel Gopar (number 5) and striker Alex Fuentes (number 8).

Next week Lanzarote travel and face SD Tenisca. The La Palma side will be looking to tighten their defence as they were murdered in their opening match against newly promoted Fuerteventura side UD Gran Tarajal 5-0.

            GOALS

•          1-0 min 27 Miguel Gómez

           1-1 min 85 Joel