LANZAROTE   0   CD VERA   1

The Rojillos face a difficult final three matches to ensure their safety in the Tercera Division following this defeat to a relegation rival.

It is easy to see why many Lanzarote fans are enormously disappointed with how the second half of this season is turning out. Before the Christmas break Lanzarote were in fourth spot and consolidated that position on their return in the New Year with a fine 1-0 win versus UD Las Palmas C on the 17^th January.

Defensively Lanzarote were and still are the best in the league but the problem was and is scoring goals. The club along with Sporting Director Sosa Espinel and Manager Mateo García brought in Strikers Di Renzo and Traoré during the January transfer window to play alongside the spectacular 19 year old Brazilian Alyson. There were few complaints.

Unfortunately a catalogue of injuries ensued and not once has the club been able to play those three strikers together. Both Alyson and Traoré picked up injuries and have only played a matter of minutes since January. Midfielder Thioub and Rodrigo along with several other players also joined the expanding list of injuries.

The club had no choice but to bring in players from the juniors and also the B team. It is a huge jump in category and in the 3-1 away defeat versus CD Unión Puerto on the 23^rd March three players made their debut with a fourth already on the pitch whose debut was the week previous.

One should not look for excuses but any person with any knowledge of football will understand that the men in charge of team selection have not had a choice of selecting a team. They have had to choose any player that is fit and in some cases unfit as there have been no other options.

At this moment in time with the club inches away from relegation bickering is not what is required, that can be done after the final match. What is needed is unity and for every supporter of UD Lanzarote to be positive and together support their side in their moment of need. Is anything else going to help?

The Rojillos went into this match sitting in 8^th spot and knew that a win would put them back in contention for a playoff position. The match began well with Lanzarote pressing the Tenerife side. In the 7^th minute Keita burst down the right wing and squared the ball to striker Di Renzo, the Argentinean slid in and was an inch away of connecting to give his side an early lead.

In the 17^th minute midfielder Miguel Gopar had a wonderful opportunity to give Lanzarote the lead when he capitalized on a defensive error but from the edge of the box his strike was saved by the foot of the keeper.

In the 36^th minute Di Renzo chased a long ball and then held his hamstring. He tried to continue but it was hopeless and he had to be replaced. Moments later CD Vera won a corner and compounded the misery to Lanzarote when it was headed home by Adrían Plaza and completely against the run of play the visitors found themselves with a 0-1 lead to take into the break.

The Tenerife side now had something to hold onto. They had begun the day third from bottom but now had the opportunity to move out of the bottom four and begin their journey to safety.

Lanzarote completely dominated the second period but on three occasions the woodwork prevented them from levelling the match. In the 52^nd minute Captain Ayoze Pérez saw his 25 yard free kick come thundering back of crossbar. Ten minutes later and centre back Matheus also headed against the crossbar from a cross by Pacheco.

Ayoze Pérez has had to fill in positions for injured players over the past few weeks and has played as a defender, midfielder and now as a striker. In the 75^th minute he was again denied by the woodwork when his powerful header hit the underside of the crossbar from an Adrián Machín cross and was cleared.

The visitors did not have one effort on goal in the second period but held on valiantly to lift themselves out of the automatic relegation positions up to 13^th just one position and one point behind Lanzarote.

Even though Lanzarote are in 12^th spot, two positions and two points away from the bottom four automatic relegation positions this does not put them out of danger. Possibly five Canarian teams could be relegated from the division above meaning that the Rojillos may have to finish in 10^th spot to ensure safety.

Next Sunday Lanzarote travel to Tenerife and face CD Buzanada who are level on points as Lanzarote but are one position in front of them. It is needleless to say how important this match is to both sides.

GOALS

0-1 min 38 Adrián Plaza