Sol y Futbol: Lanzarote Earn Point Against League Leaders

Sol y Footballs Ian Lane reports from Arrecife, as the league leaders are held to a draw. Mr Lane endured soaring temperatures to bring SportTrades Report news.

LANZAROTE 1 ALCORCÓN 1

1st February 2010

U.D. Lanzarote fought back from a goal down against the league leaders and giant killers of Real Madrid in the Cup to earn a valuable point in a highly charged and entertaining encounter on a hot Sunday morning in Arrecife.

The Conejeros (locals) began the match looking the more offensive of the two teams. In the 6th minute neat footwork from Rubén Rodriguez set up striker Rosmen. The tall centre forward struck the ball well from eight yards but his shot rose a foot too high over the bar.

Strikes from Rubén Rodriguez and a long distance effort from Jotha came close but a shot from midfielder Cascón for the visitors came closest, hitting the woodwork.

The Rojillos (reds) held the majority of possession and the build up play was excellent with new signing Carlitos being a constant annoyance to the Madrid side’s defence. The Amarillos (yellows) big threat came on the counter attack. In the 29th minute the visitors broke quick which led to them receiving a free kick on the edge of the Lanzarote box. Striker Ernesto sweetly curled the ball wide of the outstretched arm of the Lanzarote keeper Vilches and into the top right hand corner giving the visitors a 0-1 lead.

Only a couple of minutes later and Alcorcón should have been two up. A ball launched through the centre saw keeper Vilches race off his line only for Cascón to beat him to the chase. The midfielder chipped the advanced keeper but centre back Faruk read the script and beat the midfielder to what would have been an easy tap in and cleared the danger.

The Lanzarote keeper made another good save moments before the break from Ernesto and the Rojillos went into the half time break a goal down but definitely still in the game.

The Rojillos looked sharp after the break and their first opportunity came after only two minutes. Rosmen controlled the ball on the edge of the area and immediately struck a fierce drive, the Madrid keeper Juanma could only parry the ball but there was no one following up for the tap in.

Ten minutes into the second half and Rojillos manager Carmelo Hernández introduced crowd favourite Jonathon Torres. Seconds after coming on and the striker almost had an instant impact. A goal bound overhead kick from six yards was brilliantly saved from Juanma. The return fell to the head of Rosmen who could only nod the ball onto the bar and over.

Lanzarote were now rampant as Alcorcón seemed happy to sit behind the ball and hit Lanzarote on the counter. Torres again came close and then in the 72nd minute the Rojillos got their just reward. A free kick from the identical position that Alcorcón scored from was set up by Rojillos midfielder Jotha. The ex Real Madrid star blasted the ball low and hard which found its way through the wall and beat the keeper sending the Conejeros level at 1-1.

In the 79th minute Carlitos had a wonderful chance to mark his debut with a goal. A clever cross from Rosmen found the striker in the six yard box but he looked surprised to have received the ball and fluffed his header wide.

Amidst the red attack the league leaders looked deadly on the break. In the 87th minute a header from sub Iñigo López was brilliantly saved from Vilches but the rebound fell kindly to his team mate Mario Sanchez, who, from point blank range blasted the ball for a certain goal only to strike the Lanzarote keeper straight in the face and miraculously away to safety.

Both teams went in search of a winner and in the 92nd minute the Alcorcón midfield robbed possession from Lanzarote and sub Bravo had a clear run on the Lanzarote goal. Lanzarote sub Ian Robinson who had only been on the pitch three minutes had dropped off anticipating the danger. What a good decision that was! The Barnsley boy sprinted diagonally across the pitch and his timely challenge pushed the ball wide restricting the angle of the shot. The strike was pushed wide by the Lanzarote keeper ensuring a point in an outstanding match.

The point was not enough for Lanzarote to move off the bottom as fellow relegation candidates also picked up points. The Rojillos remain four points away from safety and next week will travel to the Spanish capital for a tough match against the B team of Atlético Madrid who occupy fourth position which is the final play off spot.