LANZAROTE 1 S.D. TENISCA 0, 16th March 2019

LANZAROTE   1   S.D. TENISCA   0,   16th March 2019,

The Rojillos closed the gap to a playoff finish from three points ,down to one point over the weekend courtesy of a second half goal from Captain Rosmen.

The La Palma side have been a good team over the past few seasons but now find themselves occupying the last relegation position and are fighting for their lives to stay in the Tercera Division.

The crowd was less than normal as the game had been changed to the Saturday to accommodate flights from the visitors and with Costa Teguise Carnival beginning later that afternoon along with St Patricks Day festivities warming up in Puerto Del Carmen it was a noticeable difference in gate takings.

Nevertheless 300 or so fans were welcomed with wonderful blue skies and temperatures easily into their mid 20´s.

It was clear from the start that Tenisca would have been delighted with a point so once again the Rojillos had to break through a parked bus.

The first sight of goal was in the 8th minute when a terrific free kick hit at pace from Enrique Castaño was inches away from Rosmen stroking home.

Rosmen coming close early on.

As the game progressed so did Lanzarote´s dominance but chances were few and far between as the La Palma defence stood firm.

The best opportunity to break the deadlock in the first half occurred in the 37th minute. A cross from Argentine Nico González found Rosmen and the veteran Lanzarote striker so deadly in these situations powered in a header but the keeper produced an outstanding save to tip the ball over for a corner.

The Rojillos knew that nothing other than a win against one of the weaker teams in the league would suffice especially as next Sunday they faced their second consecutive home match and need to capitalize on home games.

The Lanzarote manager had a hidden card up his sleeve and in the 55th minute he showed that card in the name of Miguel Gómez.

Before the match Miguel Gómez with a couple of young fans.

Miguel had been out for a while with an ankle injury but returned last week for a 25 minute run out in Lanzarote´s superb 0-4 away win.

The Lanzarote winger can change a game in seconds, he runs at defenders terrifying them and that’s exactly what he did. Before the clock had turned to 56 minutes Miguel received a ball floated over to the right wing nodded the ball in front, beat two defenders and blasted in a low hard cross, an effort was blocked on the goal line but Rosmen was on hand to force the ball home and earn his side a priceless 1-0 lead.

Miguel doing what he does best, leaving defenders for dead.

The visitors had to come out of their shell to earn anything from the match and with just two minutes remaining on the clock won themselves a free kick on the edge of the box. The ball cleared the wall but fortunately keeper Agoney was well positioned to comfortably make a two handed save.

Defender Josito had been brought on to bolster up the defence which meant that Brad had a more attacking roll. The 23 year old Englishman found himself with his back to goal on the edge of the 18 yard box, some neat footwork allowed him to tee up Nico González to have a free strike at goal from 10 yards but the striker took his eye off the ball and miscued his effort badly.

Players showing their appreciation to the fans.

The referee for some unknown reason allowed eight minutes of added on time and as there was no injuries it was a surprise so much time was given. Nevertheless the Rojillos ran out comfortable winners and remain in 5th spot and now just one point behind both Santa Úrsula and Villa Santa Brígida.

What happened to health and safety? Who cares as cook José strips off his top to celebrate.

Next Sunday 24th March at 12 noon Lanzarote are once again at home and face 7th placed side Las Palmas C.

Many of Lanzarote´s fans have a soft spot for Fuerteventura team CD El Cotillo mainly because we love our day trip over there. A month and a half ago they looked dead and buried and doomed for relegation with 13 points between them and safety.

Hopefully our friends CD El Cotillo will avoid the drop.

Whilst our Fuerteventura friends are still bottom they have gone on a great run and are unbeaten in seven games having taken 15 points en route and are now just four points from safety.

Let’s hope they achieve mission impossible though on the 7th April Lanzarote play them at home.

GOALS

1-0 min 55 Rosmen