LANZAROTE   2   CD MARINO   0

The Rojillos secure their first league win of the season in a hard fought match played in intense heat and move up four places and into 9^th spot.

Lanzarote began the better of the two sides and in the 14^th minute good work by Traoré released striker Di Renzo, the tall Argentinean beat a defender but from the edge of the box he fired over the crossbar.

Five minutes later and the impressive new left back Manuel Cedenilla struck from 18 yards but his effort went narrowly wide. The 24 year old played in the junior ranks of Real Madrid and has even made an appearance in Spain’s Segunda A (Second Tier) with AD Alcorcon. He seems to have settled in very quickly and looks to be a great find.

The Tenerife side slowly got into the pace of the match and began sharing the possession equally though failed to worry the Lanzarote defence.

In the 41^st minute a dangerous free kick from Cedenilla caused mayhem in the Tenerife defence. Quickest to react was Traoré who managed to get a strike on the ball in the six yard box but the keeper did superbly saving with his right foot.

Moments later and the visitors came close to taking the lead. A strike from the edge of the area by midfielder Efrén forced Rojillos keeper Alejandro into a full stretch save to only concede a corner.

The second half couldn’t have begun any better for the majority of the 450 supporters in Arrecife. The hard working Di Renzo chased down what seemed a hopeless cause and forced the defender into a rushed back pass, Rodrigo read the situation intercepted the ball, rounded the keeper and coolly slotted home to give his side a 1-0 lead within 24 seconds of the restart.

Lanzarote went looking for that second goal to give them breathing space. Di Renzo once again came close but in the 58^th minute a training ground move proved fruitful. Cedenilla looked as though he was going to whip in a corner with his left foot but instead played it to the edge of the area. Meca arrived on the blind side and fired in a powerful controlled strike that flew into the top right corner to give Lanzarote a deserved 2-0 lead.

The Rojillos defence were last season’s meanest in the league but in their opening two games of this campaign had looked shaky and had conceded four goals. For the remainder of this match they never looked like conceding which I am sure will add to the delight of their manager Mateo García.

It really was a great atmosphere. Thanks to all the fans that turned up in such soaring heat and a special thanks to the Trifulka fan club along with many of the Las Calas Rojillo fans who helped orchestrate the atmosphere.

I spoke to many tourists after the match and it was so nice to hear how much they enjoyed it and will now come to matches on their next holidays.

Next week Lanzarote travel to the island of La Palma to face one of the big favourites to win this league, CD Mensajero. They are unbeaten in their opening three matches and only goal difference denies them claiming top spot.

GOALS

1-0 min 46 Rodrigo

2-0 min 58 Meca