Ian Lane puts down his Walnut Whips and reports from Arrecife as Lanzaroe see a glimmer of hope through the Volcanic Ash. If anyone is reading this and stranded in Lanzarote, Ian's number is 079.........LANZAROTE 2 GIMNÁSTICA 1
19th April 2010
U.D. Lanzarote fight back from a goal down and win the game with two goals in the final ten minutes which will give the Rojillos hope for the remaining three matches.
The game began with a good tempo but it wasn’t till the 13th minute for the first threat at goal. Jonathon Torres cleverly set up strike par partner Carlitos for a clear shot at goal from five yards, he shot with venom but a defender lunged in at the last moment and deflected his effort away for a corner.
Four minutes later and Raúl Torres powered in a 30 yard strike but the Gimnástica keeper saved the shot low down at the left hand post.
The first chance of the match for the side from the top north of Spain was to prove costly for the Rojillos. A free kick from 20 yards had been awarded. A training ground set play fooled the Rojillos. Two players ran to take the free kick resulting in pretend confusion; a moment later midfielder Cushi beautifully curled the ball around the wall with his left foot into the bottom left hand corner beating the outstretched Vilches to give his side a 0-1 advantage.
Familiar territory for the Rojillos as most the games they have won this season have had to be done after falling behind. For the remainder of the half the Rojillos regrouped and did not allow Gimnástica Torrelavega any access to goal.
With the ship steadied the Conejeros (locals) came out for the second half as if their lives depended on victory. Within 20 seconds of the restart Maikel Padrón saw his 20 yard effort fly inches past the post.
In the 49th minute Lanzarote keeper Vilches saved well with his feet following a corner and five minutes later Gimnástica had anther chance to extend their lead when midfielder Siro broke through and found himself with just Vilches to beat. The Lanzarote number stood tall till the last second and saved brilliantly with his feet.
The Rojillos then took control. In the 57th minute Vladi broke through the centre and released Rúben Rodriguez who in turn instantly found Jonathon Torres. His first time strike was saved well by keeper Iván Crespo then the rebound fell to Vladi but the Lanzarote Captain fired narrowly over.
Two minutes later and Sub Ayoze Pérez blasted a shot in from the right hand corner of the penalty area but his violent strike was met with the strong right hand of keeper Crespo and away to safety.
Just after the hour mark and manager Carmelo Hernández introduced the temperamental but sometimes brilliant Toñito. The Lanzarote gaffer has kept faith with his often criticized winger despite three red cards and countless yellow cards he has picked up this season. What a good decision it turned out to be as the 24 year old turned out to be in inspiring form.
Five minutes later and good work from Toñito led to Vladi combining with a quick thinking Torres for a one two. The Lanzarote Captain struck the ball hard and low from eight yards but his shot was superbly saved and pushed onto the post. The rebound fell to Vladi but again the keeper bravely saved at his near post. With the keeper in such outstanding form and Lanzarote´s luck resembling that of an airline company there seemed to be no way through for the Rojillos.
In the 72nd minute the ever alert Torres struck a shot come cross that went inches past the far right hand post and the boot of Ayoze Pérez. Eight minutes on and Crespo saved low at his right from a Carlitos shot.
The pressure Lanzarote mounted finally paid dividends in the 82nd minute. Left back Juachi fired in belter from 25 yards which swerved and deceived the keeper who could only get a hand to it as it rocketed into the roof of the net.
The Rojillos were now firmly in control and only two minutes from the first goal came the second. A ball passed to Torres in the centre of the pitch was perfectly flicked onto to Toñito galloping down the left. The winger raced on and committed the keeper then unselfishly fed the ball across goal to fellow Sub Ayoze Pérez for a tap in from six yards and amazingly the Rojillos were in front 2-1.
Vladi came close in stoppage time for a third which was again set up by man of the match Torres but the keeper pulled off another great one handed save but it wasn’t to matter as the ref blew for full time.
Is this a stay of execution? Most of the other sides in relegation danger picked up points leaving the Rojillos still bottom and six points and goal difference from safety. The realistic objective is the play off spot with a third division side which is an achievable three point climb with three games remaining.
Next week Lanzarote will be travelling to the Extremadura region of Spain pending the volcano crisis where they will face a critical match against second from bottom Villanovense.
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