LANZAROTE 1 CLUB ATLÉTICO GRANADILLA 0
LANZAROTE 1 CLUB ATLÉTICO GRANADILLA 0
31st August 2014
A super start in their first home game for the Rojillos (The Reds), a solitary goal early in the second half against last season’s champions by the lively Colombian Mauri earnt the Rojillos their first maximum points.
Lanzarote began the match at a good pace and after just two minutes a good cross from Rosmen was agonizingly inches away from the boot of Mauri and Kennedy.
The hosts dominated the early exchanges and it wasn’t until the 20th minute that the Tenerife side imposed their first threat of danger, a good solo run by Josimar was abruptly ended when Rojillos defender Raúl slid in to claim the ball as the striker was about to unleash.
In the 37th minute the temperamental super Lanzarote winger again showed his dark side as he got involved in a brawl and was shown the red card, fortunately for Lanzarote the visitors also had a player sent off during the handbags at ten paces.
If it had been difficult to play in the intense heat at the start of play now both teams had to play the rest of the match with just ten men apiece whilst the heat was peaking in the mid 30´s.
Just before the break 18 year old Brad Cockerill had his first strike, the ball fell to him at an awkward height but the British boy wrapped his foot as far as he could around the ball but from ten yards out he could only watch as his effort shaved the bar and flew off for a goal kick.
With the game goalless at half time the fans seemed to be pleased with the new look Lanzarote side loaded with youth as they bantered at the bar and with me at the Lanzarote Megastore. Many of the local Lanzarote fans were not at the game as traditionally with the Spanish they are away on their holidays during August.
Two minutes into the second half and a wonder pass from the other British lad Louis Kennedy split the two central defenders, Mauri let the ball run and as both goalkeeper and a defender committed the impressive Colombian neatly dinked the ball into the bottom left hand corner to give Lanzarote a deserved 1-0 lead.
The Tenerife side attempted to respond but with Lanzarote sitting back in numbers and counter attacking the visitors lacked ideas in the scorching heat.
Late on a fast breakaway man of the match Mauri beat a couple of players then put a superb ball across field to Kennedy, the Brit latched on to it well and cut inside then struck a shot come cross but the 20 year old could only watch in vain as his effort missed both the right hand post by inches and the right boot of Mauri.
The Rojillos held on quite comfortably at the end to claim their first win of the season and move up to 6th spot albeit with the league only two games old.
Even though the league is in its infancy it is great to see the youth coming through and playing with passion. With this Colombian who at times looked out of place in this league with a higher standard being more appropriate Lanzarote fans should be optimistic.
Don’t forget season tickets are always available from me from the Teguise Sunday market or the Puerto Del Carmen Friday market (from 10am until early afternoon) 50 Adults, Pensioners 30 Euros and all children 15 years or under are admitted free of charge.
Lanzarote travel to Gran Canaria next week and face UD Telde who are on three points.
GOALS
1-0 min 47 Mauri
