LANZAROTE 2 CD SANTA ÚRSULA 5, 13th April 2017,

LANZAROTE   2   CD SANTA ÚRSULA   5,    13th April 2017,   

The Rojillos hopes of reaching the playoffs for the third consecutive season are all but mathematically over. This horrific home defeat to the second from bottom side confirmed this on a beautiful sunny afternoon in Arrecife.

CD Santa Úrsula starting XI

CD Santa Úrsula starting XI

Ten points separate Lanzarote from the fourth and final playoff spot with just four games remaining. What must have deflated the Rojillos was that prior to the match they knew that Ibarra had won 2-0 the previous night so even a win would have only reduced the difference to seven points.

Captain Rosmen leading his side out with many mascots

Captain Rosmen leading his side out with many mascots

Lanzarote did not begin the game well with passing going astray and this must have given their opponents confidence.

The Tenerife side are fighting for their lives and were doomed for relegation less than two months ago but being unbeaten in their last seven outings whilst collecting fourteen points have given them real hope of survival. They are now third from bottom and just a point from safety.

The visitors would have been happy with their start to the match but in the 15th minute they were truly delighted. A low shot by the troublesome number seven Jorge beat keeper Alejandro to send the Chicharreros  (Tenerefians) 0-1 up.

One of many of the celebrations for the visitors

One of many of the celebrations for the visitors

Striker Jorge then had another good opportunity to double his sides score five minutes later. With just the keeper to beat but at a narrow angle the Tenerife front man struck a vicious drive from 12 yards but his effort went narrowly over the crossbar.

Lanzarote now began to wake up and in the 22nd minute a wonderful move involving Rosmen who released Borja down the left wing, his excellent cross along the six yard box was met by striker Jonathan Quintero but his touch from sliding in was not strong enough and agonizingly the ball rolled past the right hand post for a goal kick.

The ball just missing my daughter and our photographer Jessica

The ball just missing my daughter and our photographer Jessica

In the 33rd minute the lively Ayoze Pérez pinged a great pass in from the right for Rosmen and as the Lanzarote captain controlled superbly on his chest whilst turning in the air beating his defender he was pulled back which resulted in a free kick two yards outside of the box.

Quintero fired low which found its way through the wall, the Santa Úrsula keeper did well to get a foot on the ball but the clearance fell to Raúl and the Rojillos midfielder blasted the ball home from eight yards to pull Lanzarote level at 1-1.

Raúl firing home to level at 1-1

Raúl firing home to level at 1-1

With the confidence given from the goal Lanzarote improved on their passing and looked the better of the two teams going into the break.

That confidence the Rojillos had was torn apart in the opening 17 minutes of the second half. In second minute of the restart striker Pedro broke through the Lanzarote defence and fired under Alejandro to restore their lead at 1-2.

Football the international language with British, German and local kids having a kick about

Football the international language with British, German and local kids having a kick about

In the space of four minutes the visitors scored two goals, firstly in the 58th minute when the impressive Jorge netted his second and then a corner on the left was met with a thundering header from centre back Miguel and Lanzarote found themselves 1-4 down.

Instantly manager Adolfo Pérez brought on his two strikers sitting on the bench Natanael and Javi Melian and two minutes later Lanzarote earned themselves a free kick on the edge of the box. From the left Toñito curled in a free kick into the top right hand corner to gives his side and supporters a glimmer of hope.

No hiding from The Hide out bar owners in Puerto del Carmen

No hiding from The Hide out bar owners in Puerto del Carmen

In the 77th minute good work from Toñito beating a defender down the right wing, he then managed to pull the ball back for Quintero who struck a goal bound effort but the defender launched himself and managed to block the strike to only concede a corner.

Antonio not slowing down in the heat

Antonio not slowing down in the heat

That effort really needed to go in as the Lanzarote players began to tire badly in the scorching heat. Four minutes from time Santa Úrsula became the second side to score five goals against Lanzarote in their own backyard when sub Mujica finished off a counter attack to make the final score 1-5.

Pretty much sums it up

The body language pretty much sums it up

Horrible it may be but the good thing about football is that there is always next season. The only other club who can realistically snatch fourth spot is Lanzarote´s other team on the island U.S. Yaiza. They trail a playoff finish by seven points but have two games in hand.

Lanzarote can still have a big say that who will finish in fourth as next week they play the team currently in that position UD Ibarra and the second from last game of the season Yaiza will be home in the big Derby match versus Lanzarote.

GOALS

0-1 min 15 Jorge

1-1 min 35 Raúl

1-2 min 47 Pedro

1-3 min 58 Jorge

1-4 min 62 Miguel

2-4 min 64 Toñito

2-5 min 86 Mujica