Ian Lane reports as The Rojillos fall at Conquense. The lack of Sun on their backs proved to make things difficult as their good run of late came to end.CONQUENSE 2 LANZAROTE 0
22nd February 2010
A goal in each half put an end to Lanzarote´s great run of form. Without Captain Vladimir, striker Jonathon Torres and midfield maestro Rubén Rodriguez as well as longer term injuries of strikers Rosmen and Ian Robinson the journey 200 kilometres from Madrid was always going to be a difficult task.
The Rojillos are not good travelers. Lanzarote´s daytime temperatures rarely fall below 20 degrees, so to be greeted on a cold Sunday morning with rain and a howling gale with pockets of snow dotted around the pitch did not particularly suit the Conejeros.
Enough excuses. Since the January transfer wheeling and dealing Lanzarote now have a squad capable of living in Spain’s third tier of football. They were simply outplayed by a side pushing for promotion, and indeed with this win Conquense have moved within one place and one point from the play offs.
From the first minute the home side took control of the match and the Lanzarote goalkeeper Vilches knew he was in for a busy morning. In the seventh minute Lanzarote´s defence frailties rose to the surface once more. A corner swung in from the left bobbled around the six yard box and the Rojillos had three opportunities to clear the ball but Conquense didn’t hang around for the fourth, as midfielder Cubillo blasted home from close range to put his side at ease with an early 1-0 lead.
In the 33rd minute Vilches saved brilliantly with his feet preventing striker Gato doubling his sides lead with a strike from eight yards. Vilches came to the rescue again just before half time with another great save from centre forward Oscar Silva when the Conquense striker found himself with just the keeper to beat.
Lanzarote came out for the second half with a completely different attitude and Conquense were forced to retreat. Defender Juachi put through new boy Raul Torres but his good strike was well saved by the local keeper Martinez.
On the hour mark striker Carlitos header inches over and a few minutes later defender Moncho found himself with a free header from a corner but his powerful effort fell straight into the keepers arms.
The recalled winger Toñito had a good shout for a penalty waved away midway through the second half and in the 83rd minute the home side eased their worries with the all important second goal. Good combination play from the forwards gave Martins a clear strike and with just the Lanzarote keeper to beat the centre forward comfortably gave his side a 2-0 lead.
That goal completely deflated the spirits of the Rojillos and with seven minutes remaining there was no way back against a side who on average concede a goal a game.
On the positive side fellow relegation strugglers did not fair any better. Lanzarote still remain second from bottom but are still only a point from safety. The next few weeks will prove decisive as the Rojillos will be up against a host of teams in and around relegation trouble. First up is a home game against Cacereño who lie in 14th position three points above Lanzarote with 30 points. If any other incentive is needed then the 5-0 thrashing Lanzarote suffered to the hands of Cacereño in the first round of games should be sufficient.
The good news is that Vladi, Jonathon Torres and Rubén Rodriguez all look set to return and if all play well then Cacereño will be in for a tough day.
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