Ian Lane reports from Arrecife as UD Lanzarote continue to fight against relegation. The battle heats up, as only 3 points seperate six teams battling the drop.LANZAROTE 2 TENERIFE B 2
The Rojillos fight back from 1-2 down with 10 men to draw level in the final minute of play with a penalty converted by Lanzarote´s top scorer Rubén Rodriguez.
The opening stages of the game did not flow well with the Referee stopping and starting the game with unnecessary free kicks being awarded to both sides. The Conejeros (locals) then began to start enjoying the majority of the ball and in the 9th minute the home side took the lead. A free kick swung into the six yard box from Rubén was chased by Carlitos, without touching the ball his run deceived both defence and goalkeeper and the ball ended up in the bottom left hand corner giving Lanzarote a fortunate 1-0 lead.
The Rojillos were now looking to increase their lead. In the 25th minute an inch perfect through ball from Jotha found Carlitos but the striker got the ball stuck under his feet and he was crowded out of the way by a host of Tenerife defenders. A minute later and a 20 yard effort from left back Juachi looked destined for the top left hand corner but the Tenerife keeper acrobatically dived and brilliantly saved with his right hand and only conceded a corner kick.
The Tenerife manager was not happy with what he was seeing and on the half hour he ordered two of his subs Airam the leagues top scorer, and ex- Rojillo Oscar Martin to warm up. This seemed to do the trick as the Primera Liga´s B side gradually edged back into the game and went into the half time break trailing by a single goal.
One minute into the second half and Tenerife made the move of the match by introducing the ex Lanzarote favourite Oscar Martin and the leagues top scorer with 24 goals Airam. Oscar Martin immediately was causing problems flying down the right wing leaving the Lanzarote defence in pieces.
In the 54th minute the away side was level. Inevitably a break down the right wing by Oscar Martin caused havoc which the local fans have been familiar with over the last three years. His powerful cross was only palmed away by the Lanzarote keeper Vilches and the rebound fell to Airam, his strike was blocked inside the six yard box but first to react was midfielder Jonay who clipped the ball over Vilches and into the roof of the net.
With the score at 1-1 the Tenerife side looked dangerous in every attack and the lighting pace from either flank was causing mayhem in a tiring Lanzarote defence. In the 67th minute Jonay broke down the left and raced in between two Rojillo defenders but keeper Vilches read the danger and beat the midfielder to the ball clearing the danger by hoofing the ball up field.
Five minutes later and a clever through ball from Tenerife midfielder Juan Ramón was met by an equally clever run from danger man Airam. The striker coolly went round the Lanzarote keeper and fired the away side 1-2 in front from a narrow angle notching up his 25th for the season, nine goals clear from the second placed top marksman in the league.
Three minutes later and a shot from Airam was well saved by the feet of the Lanzarote keeper. The Rojillos had no choice but to put bodies forward which would leave the Conejeros open to the counter attack.
In the 80th minute a cross from winger Toñito was controlled well by Rubén, he beat the right back leaving himself with a free strike at goal but his tame effort fell into the arms of the Tenerife keeper.
In the 84th minute Lanzarote centre back Faruk was unlucky to be shown his second yellow card for a high foot and if Lanzarote were going to save themselves it was going to be with 10 men.
In the final minute the ball was launched into the Tenerife box, Carlitos controlled the ball and was unfairly pushed in the back and fell to the ground albeit in spectacular fashion. The Ref was instantly convinced and awarded Lanzarote a life saving penalty kick.
Rubén stepped up and planted the ball into the bottom left hand corner notching up his 10th strike this season and earning his side a valuable point and more importantly keeping the distance between the two sides to only two points rather than five.
Lanzarote drop a place and are now third from bottom. Next week Lanzarote will travel to Badajoz and face Cerro Reyes who look comfortable in 13th place but are still only three points ahead of Lanzarote. This emphasizes how close things are in the relegation zone with only three points separating six teams.
No comments:
Post a Comment