Ian Lane reports from Arrecife as UD Lanzarote drop to the bottom of the league. 5 points from safety, 5 games left. Come on Lads, anyone travelling to Lanzarote in the next month go along and support the team.LANZAROTE 1 LEGANÉS 2
12th April 2010
A strike in either half by ex Rojillo favourite Anibal Zurdo sends the Conejeros (locals) to the foot of the table, five points from safety with only five matches remaining.
U.D. Lanzarote began the match looking positive and up and ready for a battle. The game plan for Rojillos manager Carmelo Hernández went up in smoke in just under six minutes.
On their first attack the Madrid side punished the Rojillos without mercy. Great wing play from man of the match Chupe who set up team mate Valleros. The midfielders strike was blocked and a host of players challenged for the rebound but quickest to react was Anibal and sent his side 0-1 in front from close range.
The Rojillos were stunned but continued to play open attacking football though failed in the final third. Equally Leganés went in search of a second goal and had a penalty appeal turned down in the closing minutes of the half with the Ref opting for a free kick on the edge of the box.
Lanzarote came out for the second half with the same enthusiasm as they had shown in the opening minutes of the first. Almost instantly this positive frame of mind paid dividends.
A superb free kick by defender Juachi sailed into the top right hand corner from 25 yards leveling the score at one apiece. The home side was egged on by a vociferous crowd and felt as though a winner was inevitable.
In the 51st minute Raúl Torres and five minutes later Jonathon Torres had good efforts saved by the Leganés keeper.
Both sides were desperate for three points for two entirely different reasons, Leganés for promotion and cup qualification and Lanzarote for survival in Spain’s bronze league.
As the game entered the final third both sides bypassed the midfield as the long ball became the preferred option. This may sound ugly football but the intensity of the match and the openness of the game was enjoyed by all the fans.
Jonathon Torres was again denied twice in the space of three minutes by the Madrid keeper Raúl Moreno as the Rojillos dug deep, desperate for a goal.
In the 81st minute disaster struck. The Lanzarote back four was comfortably in possession of the ball and with no apparent danger a mix up in defence gifted Anibal the ball with just the Rojillos keeper Vilches to beat. The Lanzarote faithful knew the quality that this striker possesses after his two seasons sporting a Rojillos shirt. The Madrid born player made no mistake with his left foot and with his 14th strike of the season put his side back in the lead at 1-2.
In a vital week for the Rojillos, they face Real Madrid Castilla (the reserve team of the moxt famous club in the world) away from home on Wednesday night, before facing Gimnástica de Torrelavega near Santander at the weekend. Some points are definitely needed for the team to avoid finishing bottom yet alone dropping into the fourth tiet or spanish football.
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