CD EL COTILLO 0 LANZAROTE 1
CD EL COTILLO 0 LANZAROTE 1 , 12th April
U.D. Lanzarote and their travelling band of supporters enjoyed a magical day out in Fuerteventura which was topped off with a superb winner in the 18th minute from a free kick by Marcos Cabrera.
This win puts Lanzarote into joint second position and guarantees a playoff spot with five matches yet to play. The only goal available till the end of the season is to claw back three points to overtake league leaders C.D Mensajero which ensures a Copa Del Rey spot for next season.
Even if Lanzarote were to finish top they would still have to win a home and away tie with a team from the mainland to secure promotion to Segunda B (League 1).
The vibe from the players and fans as we boarded the bus at 7.30am, then onto the ferry was boisterous and all aboard felt as if we were in for a day to remember and how right we all were.
This was never going to be an easy match as the Fuerteventura side were in no way wanting to join our party as inter island rivalry was in full flow.
The home side had slipped down to 15th spot in the league table over recent weeks had the first opportunities going close with a free kick and forcing a good save from the Lanzarote keeper Agoney.
In the 18th minute The Rojillos earned a free kick 25 yards out. Midfielder Marcos Cabrera struck the ball with pace and bend just clearing the heads of the Fuerteventura wall and the ball nestled nicely low into the corner sending the travelling fans into a frenzy.
With the 0-1 lead Lanzarote began to settle and dictated play. In the 26th minute the visitors had a fantastic opportunity to double their lead. Louis Kennedy broke down the left flank and sent in a beauty of a cross, the ball fell to Rosmen but from six yards the teams Captain and top scorer put the ball over the bar. He looked very disappointed with himself but later on in the bar and on the ferry he had seemed too had forgotten all about it.
In the final minute of the first period with Lanzarote looking the much better team a cross whipped in found Kennedy at the far post but even though his header had accuracy it lacked pace as the keeper made a comfortable save.
The second half of this match was an entirely different game. This was 45 plus minutes where the Rojillo defence had to show their worth and the fans nails on their fingertips had all but disappeared.
Lanzarote just could not keep the ball as the Majoreros (Fuerteventurians) fired in wave after wave of attack. Man of the match defender Ángel Gil showed the rest of the team the spirit that was needed to win this game and no player could be faulted for not giving 100%.
Striker Mauri was chasing back and defending with all his might and Rosmen was doing his best trying to hold the ball up front with minimum support available.
In added on time keeper Agoney produced a brilliant one handed save destined for his top corner and this is when we knew it was our day. Finally the Ref blew and the partying began.
It was a 20 minute drive to the village of Villaverde and into a fantastic restaurant for a top class meal.
One did have to feel a little sorry for the restaurants fellow clients as Adolfo Pérez and his red and blue army took over. To be fair most people took it well and the staff were superb.
If you wish to glimpse some of the action, go onto Lanzarote football club on Facebook and some of the celebrations can be seen as well as the goal. A huge thanks to the brilliant Barsto restaurant in Nazaret as winger Toñito won the meal for two which had been donated by them in a draw for all the players involved in the match.
Even a little sunstroke to one of our fans and Gordon trying to take a photo on the ferry and taking a fall and cutting his head couldn’t damper spirits that were shared with players and supporters alike. Gordon argued it was the movement of the sea which led to his fall and it was nothing to do with the vodkas and cokes that he ploughed down all day.
This was a day that all that attended will never forget. If any British person had any doubt how the local fans and players feel about expat support they were completely squashed this day.
Please come and support as there are just three home games remaining for Lanzarote to become champions.
Next week Lanzarote have a very difficult match away in Gran Canaria against playoff chasing Villa Santa Brígida. Previosly in the season this match was the game of the season to date in which both teams shared a point apiece in an amazing 4-4 draw.
GOALS
0-1 min 18 Marcos Cabrera
