LANZAROTE 1 ATLÉTICO UNIÓN DE GUÍMAR 1, 20th October 2019,

LANZAROTE   1   ATLÉTICO UNIÓN DE GUÍMAR   1,   20^th October 2019,   

A month ago the Rojillos were just celebrating their second win on the bounce and briefly going top, then in the next four games they only managed to pick up four points and now find themselves mid table.

Lanzarote have the joint best defensive record in the league alongside leaders CD Marino and have just lost once this season. What is frustrating for manager Jero Santana and all Rojillo fans is the inability to finish off sides when they have dominated the match which has led to six draws.

There was a great atmosphere at the match despite the first drops of rain that we have seen in months and Lanzarote began with a spring in their step.

With both Rosmen and Ayoze Pérez on the bench it was Miguel Gómez who was the proud man to be captaining his side. In just the second minute it was Miguel who is celebrating the news that he will be a father in five months that forced the keeper into a top save from the edge of the box.

In the 26^th minute some good work from Nico González earned his side a corner. He took the corner and Juanma flicked on at the near post leaving defender Omar to stab the ball home from six yards at the far post.

The Tenerife side hadn’t offered much but on the half hour a swerving bullet of a free kick forced keeper Leo into an excellent flying one handed save to concede just a corner.

Two minutes later and a Lanzarote free kick from the left was nodded on to striker Rami, he instinctively put out his foot and guided the ball into the bottom left hand corner, unfortunately he was marginally offside and the goal was annulled.

In the 35^th minute a perfect cross from Miguel Gómez found Omar but from eight yards and with a free chance at goal the defender headed over the crossbar.

The side beginning and ending the day second from bottom came close in the 40^th minute when striker Zeben cut inside a fired a low drive forcing Leo into another good save.

In the 43rd minute it looked as though Lanzarote´s afternoon would be a walk in the park, the Guímar captain Nata brought down Rami and was given his second yellow card, his team looked doomed having to play the rest of the match with only ten men.

Just before the break Rojillos striker Aday López struck a low free kick from 20 yards but the keeper saved well at his right hand post.

Lanzarote didn’t really stretch their opponents in the second half and the longer the game went on the visitors felt that they were always going to get another opportunity.

In the 63^rd minute the Rojillos most dangerous player Miguel Gómez was replaced with 19 year old Aythami. Instantly the teenager was causing havoc and if there is a positive to take from this match is that this local lad is an extremely good prospect.

Only a minute after coming on he teased and beat defenders on the left then cut in between the two centre backs and was simply sandwiched and brought down, unfortunately the official didn’t see it that way despite a good view and waived play on.

Midway through the second half Lanzarote should have got that killer second goal when the ball fell to Aythami after a goal mouth scramble but from eight yards his thunderbolt smashed against the left hand post and the Tenerife side were still in the match.

In the 75^th minute again it was Aythami  who was released through the centre and just had the keeper to beat. The winger perhaps struck a fraction too early as the goalkeeper stood tall till the last then managed to palm the ball away to safety.

The Tenerife side began to feel the edginess of the Lanzarote team and in the 78^th minute the Rojillos paid the price. Striker Zeben fired in a low precise strike from the edge of the box and even with Leo at full stretch the power of his effort flew into the bottom right hand corner and the score was level at 1-1.

Things could have got worse because in the second minute of stoppage time striker Amorín rushed a shot from eight yards with just Leo to beat and saw the ball fly high over the crossbar to the relief of the whole Lanzarote team.

There is no doubt that the Rojillos have a very good squad and I am sure most people will have confidence in better results but if they are to make the top four they must win these kind of matches. At present Lanzarote are in 10^th spot and four points from a playoff finish.

Next Sunday Lanzarote travel to Tenerife and will play 16^th placed side Club Atlético Tacoronte.

         GOALS

         1-0 min 26 Omar

         1-1 min 78 Zeben