U.D.LANZAROTE 0-1 U.S.YAIZA

LANZAROTE   0   U.S. YAIZA   1,    11^th December 2016,   

The islands biggest derby match took place on a stunning hot December afternoon and a defensive error early in the first half proved to be the difference between the two teams.

The visitors got off to a better start and in just the third minute striker Miguel Yunes forced a good save by Rojillos keeper Agoney from a powerful eight yard strike.

In the 10^th minute Lanzarote left back Raúl let rip from all of 40 yards and even though his effort packed a punch the Yaiza keeper Ruymán made a comfortable save.

Less than a minute later a poor back pass by centre back Acai was read by Alex Yunes who then side stepped the keeper and stroked the ball home to give his side the early lead they craved.

Yaiza who are having a tremendous season up to date and sitting in fourth position in the league table looked comfortable on the ball and closed down their opponents as soon they had lost possession,  whereas Lanzarote  in the opening half hour were finding it difficult to create anything from midfield let alone giving their strikers a sniff of goal.

Ayoze Pérez, Borja and Toñito all had strikes at goal but these were from distance and rarely tested the keeper. As the half progressed Lanzarote did see a lot more of the ball and began to string passes together but still went into the half time break 0-1 down.

Rojillos manager Adolfo Pérez took off defender Fran Gil in the interval replacing him with captain and returning from injury striker Rosmen. Seconds into the second half and Rojillos forward Quintero had a fantastic opportunity to level the score. From the edge of the area he struck but his shot came off the keeper and back to him, his second strike was saved low by the Yaiza number one.

As Lanzarote pressed it left them vulnerable at the back and an excellent cross on the hour from the right found Alex Yunes on the penalty spot. With just the keeper to beat his toe poke seemed to be going past Agoney but a late hand rescued the situation as the Lanzarote goalkeeper once again proved his worth.

A minute later and Rojillos winger Toñito fired in a beautiful dipping cross and striker Quintero guided the ball across the goal but saw his effort go inches over the crossbar.

A further three minutes on and another cross from Toñito again found Quintero but the ending was the same with the ball clearing the bar.

In the 69^th minute the visitors appealed for a penalty when allegedly the ball struck defender Acai but the referee waived away the protests and Lanzarote continued to search for an equaliser.

The Yaiza players did all they could to waste precious time and were constantly going down injured and always it seems as far as possible away from their bench so the man with the sponge took an age before he could sprinkle some water on his player. Unfortunately players do this in all teams but it is such a shame the official does not allow play to continue as I am sure players would make miraculous recoveries.

Rosmen had a volley blocked from eight yards which was certain to test the keeper and in the 73^rd minute an out swinging corner from midfielder Borja was pinpointed towards the penalty spot, Raúl timed his run to perfection and climbed well but still saw his bullet of a header fly inches over the bar.

In the second minute of added on time a cross from the right wing by sub Pulido was met with a powerfully guided header by Quintero from eight yards but the Yaiza keeper produced a brilliant diving save ensuring all three points and bragging rights go to our southern friends.

Yaiza have been in outstanding form of late producing five wins and a draw in their last six matches, this has pushed them up to third spot and it’s just goal difference preventing them being second. Meanwhile the Rojillos will have to look a long way up the league table as they remain in tenth position but are ten points behind Yaiza and eight points away from the all important playoffs.

Rojillos manager Adolfo Pérez is under pressure after this poor start to the season but we should remember he is the man who is responsible for Lanzarote being in the playoffs for the last two seasons and also he is the manager for the Rojillos who went unbeaten on home soil for 43 games.

Adolfo has done so much more for the club other than the technical side of things. He was the driving force behind the clubs first ever club annual bringing in all important revenue for the club as well as arranging our annual beach training session with the fans. Saying all that and as we all know with football people have short memories and it does not take long before daggers are raised.

GOALS

0-1 min 11 Alex Yunes