LANZAROTE 2 C.D. BUZANADA 0, 21st October 2018,

LANZAROTE   2   C.D. BUZANADA   0,   21st October 2018,

The Rojillos dedicated this victory to their former player Maykel Padrón. At just 34 years of age the midfielder was taken from us.

His wife, children, family and friends joined the management of the club on the pitch in a beautiful tribute to the former Rojillos player.

Thoughts with Maykel Padrón and his family and friends.

It was so fitting that both goals were scored by the veterans of the side. Not only are they both captains Rosmen and Ayoze Pérez but also former colleagues and great friends. Both players celebrated their goals with the family of Maykel.

The mother of Maykel Padrón going through what no parent should ever have to do.

U.D. Lanzarote played in their third strip pink and white at home for the first time in honour of International Day of the Fight Against Breast Cancer.

The Rojillos (The Reds) or for today Las Rosas (The Pinkies) began the game the stronger side but it was the Tenerife outfit that had the first clear cut chance. A mix up in the defence led to striker Gerardo with a free shot on goal from 12 yards.

This was the player that almost single handily ended the Rojillos 43 home match unbeaten run a couple of seasons back when he banged in four goals in his side’s 1-5 win. Lanzarote Keeper Agoney stood tall to his blistering effort and saved with a strong hand and only conceded a corner.

Lanzarote´s midfield of Ayoze Pérez, Alberto Escudero and Juanma began getting to grips with the game and created chances. Alex Yunes worked tirelessly throughout the match and in the 27th minute he brought down a long ball on the run ever so well but his strike was saved by the keeper’s feet from ten yards.

Miguel Gómez had come off the bench in the 22nd minute due to an injury to right back Pedro Viera. Miguel who is never shy on taking on an opponent cut inside from the right in the 36th minute and let rip a thunderous strike from the edge of the box. The keeper did well to fist away his effort but Ayoze Pérez´s reaction was brilliant as he instinctively nodded the ball home from 6 yards to send his side 1-0 up.

Ayoze then ran to the bench to collect a shirt and handed it to our ball boy who in turn gave it to the mother of Maykel.

Scorer Ayoze Pérez about to give the mother of Maykel a shirt dedicated to his memory.

Thankfully the officials saw common sense throughout the game and let the tributes continue.

The Rojillos controlled possession for the remainder of the half but couldn’t force any openings and went into the break with that slender lead.

Antonio struggling to show his delight after winning the ladies beauty products in the half time raffle.

The visitors came out for the second half with a positive attitude despite starting the day in the bottom three. In the 62nd minute danger man Gerardo looked as though he had turned his defender on the penalty spot and just as he was about to pull the trigger Javi Morales recovered and timed his intervention perfectly clearing the danger.

Only three minutes later Gerardo was through the centre again and his powerful low strike on the edge of the area was superbly saved by the Rojillos keeper.

Rojillos keeper Agoney with two excellent saves.

A superb run from Alex Yunes deep in his own half in the 80th minute was only ended with a desperate challenge from ten yards out. The ball fell to Alex Cruz at the far post and he fired in a volley but the keeper at full stretch finger tipped the ball away for a corner.

Five minutes later on the right sub Jordi was inches wide as he blasted an effort across the face of the goal from a narrow angle.

In the 91st minute Brad who had been pushed into midfield burst through the centre and the confidence restored British boy fed his captain on the right and Rosmen made no mistake hammering the ball into the far corner to secure a 2-0 win.

Rosmen putting the game to bed.

The Lanzarote veteran who had played with Maykel for many seasons then ran over to the memorial banner and kissed the photo of his good friend. Emotion was at its highest in a wonderful ending to a day where the UD Lanzarote management and fans all stood together paying homage to a man that was taken from us ever so early.

The Rojillos have moved up to 11th spot and even though over recent weeks results have not been good they find themselves only four points from the playoff positions and just a further point from league leaders UD Tamaraceite.

This game meant more than just the three points.

Lanzarote now have two away games on the bounce with La Palma side SD Tenisca first up followed a week later to 6th placed side Las Palmas C and are next due at home on the 11th of November.

Around 10 months ago the Channel 4 program “A Place In The Sun” contacted me to meet football fans Ray and Sue who were looking for a property in Costa Teguise.

Presenter Ben Hillman joined us at the Lanzarote football stadium and spoke to the three of us. I have been informed that the program will be aired on Channel 4 this Wednesday 24th Oct at 4pm.

Left to right: Ray, Ian, Ben and Sue.

Unfortunately I will be off the island for a few days and even though the Puerto Del Carmen Friday morning market will be on, I or Lanzarote football club will not be there though the stall will be open for the Sunday Teguise market as normal.

I will not be able to update this page until Friday 2nd of November so for up-to-date info look on Facebook Lanzarote Football Club.

GOALS

  • 1-0 min 36 Ayoze Pérez
  • 2-0 min 90+1 Rosmen