LANZAROTE 3 VECINDARIO 1Ian Lane reports from Arrecife, as Lanzarote start the New Year with a bang.
4th January 2010
Lanzarote got off to a terrific start to the New Year with an excellent performance against the Gran Canarian side Vecindario. This will put the Rojillos in a positive frame of mind for the battle that lies ahead. Two penalties from Rubén Rodriguez and a first strike for Englishman Ian Robinson gave Lanzarote a vital three points.
The Rojillos looked on form from the start. In the ninth minute Toñito put through the overlapping right back Kamara who fired in a shot but the keeper just got a hand to the ball and pushed it wide for a corner.
Rojillos Manager Carmelo Hernández has already broken his New Year resolution about not conceding first. In the 27th minute and against the run of play Vecindario broke with winger Jony who squared the ball to ex Rojillo Yeray Ortega. One of the home crowds past favourites simply passed the ball into the empty net and yet again Lanzarote were 0-1 down.
Heads did not drop and within two minutes all hell broke loose. Always at the centre of things was winger Toñito. His strike hit the post but the ball was then handled on the line and as the Referee ordered a penalty for the Rojillos. The linesman then waved his flag and to the surprise of everyone awarded an offside decision against Toñito.
Nevertheless the Rojillos were not to be denied. In the 35th Lanzarote were awarded a penalty for a shove on Toñito. Rubén Rodriguez who has undeniably the sweetest left foot on the island blasted the ball home to level the scores at one apiece.
Just after half time Ayoze Pérez replaced Sixto and Captain Vladimir moved into the centre to give the Rojillos more width. A tactic from the Rojillos Mister, (gaffer) that was to prove dividends.
Five minutes into the second half and Rosmen hit the bar when he was one on one with the Vecindario keeper, moments later and Ayoze Pérez found himself in a similar situation but the ball just ran away from him and the opportunity went begging.
As the game past the hour mark there was clearly only one team searching for the win and that was the red and blue of Lanzarote. Jotha came close from a long range effort in the 63rd minute and four minutes later a beautiful curling shot from Toñito was brilliantly saved by the Gran Canarian keeper Javi Ortega.
In the 75th minute and with the Barnsley boy Robbo, only being on the park for five minutes, he pretended to volley a shot but just touched the ball in front of himself which left the defender flat footed and was clearly brought down by his opponent. Rubén Rodriguez converted the resulting penalty and Lanzarote were 2-1 up.
Eight minutes from time and the game was wrapped up. A long throw from Kamara was flicked on by striker Rosmen and coming in just wide of the penalty spot was Robbo who volleyed into the top right corner to make the score 3-1. All of the Rojillos team, bench and management joined in celebrating the hard working and popular Englishman. The Barnsley boy has this ability to come off the bench and create an extra stride for his team mates with his positive play as well as terrifying defenders with his incredible pace. He certainly proved the difference in this match winning a penalty and scoring a goal all within 20 minutes.
With the first round of games now complete Lanzarote are still bottom and seven points from safety. Lanzarote travel to Gran Canaria next week to face league leaders Universidad. In the opening match of the season Lanzarote beat Universidad 2-1 but since then the Gran Canarian side have been in scintillating form and beat Real Oviedo 3-0 Sunday which was their third win on the bounce.
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