LANZAROTE 5 UD LAS ZOCAS 1, 6th May 2018,

LANZAROTE 5 UD LAS ZOCAS 1, 6^th May 2018,

The Rojillos booked themselves a playoff spot for the right to compete to reach Spain’s third league (Segunda B) following this wonderful display against ninth placed side Las Zocas.

Needing just a point in their remaining two matches Lanzarote made no mistake about it after producing a five star master class performance. The Rojillos will be able to rest one or two players for next week’s final league match in Tenerife before the intensity of the playoffs begins.

Prior to kick off the Madrina (Mother) of Lanzarote Nina and British fan Jacci Doherty presenter the Player of the Season award to our inspirational Captain, Ayoze Pérez.

Left to right, Juani Gil (Club Director) Jacci Doherty (fan), Nina, Ayoze Pérez and vice President Paulino presenting the Player of the Season award to Ayoze.

The first opportunity came in just the third minute when the lively Alex Cruz swept in a terrific low cross but Rosmen at full stretch could only get enough on the ball for it to hit the outside of the post and away for a goal kick.

The Tenerife side that had been victorious the week previous in a 5-4 thriller of a match began to get joint custody of the game but were offering very little in the final third of the pitch.

In the 25^th minute Ayoze Pérez swung in a cross from the right and by all accounts and means the ball should have been the keepers but when the towering frame of Rosmen is in full flight it is a terrifying prospect for any keeper, Rosmen fairly put in a challenge and won the ball but his header came off the top of the crossbar and away to safety as the goalkeeper crashed to the surface.

The Big Man was not going to denied for long and three minutes later a free kick from the right taken by Enrique Castaño found Rosmen, with the keeper misjudging the flight and ending up in no man’s land the 37 year old nodded home to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Lanzarote striker Rosmen in breathtaking form.

In the 37^th minute good work from Alex Cruz combining with Rosmen allowed the Rojillos striker a free crack at goal from 12 yards. Rosmen planted the ball low into the bottom right hand corner for his and his side’s second goal.

Lanzarote now looked as if they were going to score in every attack and only two minutes later Alex Cruz tried to place a shot from six yards into the only space available, the top right hand corner, unfortunately he leaned back a little too much and his effort flew over the bar nevertheless his side went into the half time break 2-0 to the good.

Alex Cruz firing over on this occasion but he was not to be denied.

The Rojillos came out for the second period and killed the game stone dead in the opening five minutes. In the 47^th minute Javi Betancort sent Borja through the middle and the player that came second in Player of the Season comfortably fired past the Tenerife keeper to extend his sides lead to 3-0.

Borja with the third goal.

Three minutes later and Alex Cruz underlined his team’s superiority when his strike from the edge of the area flew low into the bottom left hand corner to give Lanzarote a commanding 4-0 advantage.

Immediately with the job done Rojillos manager Maxi Barrera took off Rosmen to keep him fresh with the playoffs in mind. I doubt if he will be involved in next week’s league match away in Tenerife.

After only returning to the club late January he has scored 12 times and has been instrumental in his team’s success. He needs to be wrapped up in cotton wool, in fact I think I know a few of Lanzarote´s female fans who would love to do the wrapping.

The intensity of the game began to drop, though in the 77^th minute Borja committed the keeper and then squared the ball to sub Fede Manzi who fired home from six yards to make it 5-0.

Fede Manzi firing home to make it 5-0

Lanzarote switched off a little and in the 81^st minute the visitors capitalized on this when defender Erik overlapped down the right wing and toe poked the ball into the far right hand corner giving keeper Sasha no chance.

Rojillos keeper Sasha at full stretch but unable to prevent a consolation goal

After next Sundays final league match the draw for the playoffs will take place the following Wednesday 16^th May with possibly Lanzarote being at home on Sunday 20^th May but this is NOT confirmed. As soon as the draw has been done I will confirm.

Lanzarote´s other team in this league Yaiza left it late with a 91^st minute goal to win 1-0 and finish in ninth spot, they have also become the first club to finish their league season in this division. Haria took another beating, this time away 4-1 to CD Buzanada and have only 90 minutes left in this division before they are relegated.

GOALS