Sol y Futbol: Oviedo Defeat Relegates Gutsy Rojillos

Lanzarote ended their 9 year stay in Spain's third tier of football. Ian Lane reports from Arrecife on the final home game of the season. We will be with Ian through the off season, as UD Lanzarote prepare to compete against regional teams for 2010/2011 season. SportTrades Sol y Futbol will continue to follow the progress of Lanzarote and hopefully, through your support, cheer on a swift return to this league. If you are visiting Lanzarote over the summer, please pop along to Teguise Market (Sundays) visit Ian and Anna's stall to buy merchandise and chat about the club. We will be back next week with a report on the final game of the season and will have frequent updates throughout the summer.

LANZAROTE 0 REAL OVIEDO 2

3rd May 2010

It’s all over. After nine consecutive seasons in Spain’s third flight of football Unión Deportiva Lanzarote has been relegated and will be playing football next season against fellow Canarian teams.

Eleven seasons ago the Rojillos made their debut in Segunda B (league 1) but were relegated the same season. The following year they returned as Tercera division (third Division) champions and embarked on an incredible journey both in the Copa del Rey and the league.

In 2003-04 season a young talented extraordinary Lanzarote side won the league but still failed in promotion to Segunda A (championship) because of the Spanish play off system which includes the leagues winners only gaining promotion through a play off.

During those years the Conejeros (locals) enjoyed seeing their island compete and beat some of the Primera Liga´s finest teams. Wins against Tenerife, Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao were some of the highlights of a five year dream as well as narrow losses to Sevilla, Getafe and a late Fernando Torres strike for Atlético Madrid.

The biggest game Lanzarote ever played was in the 2001-02 campaign against Giants of football Real Madrid. After going a goal down from Guti the Rojillos rallied and equalized before the break with current club captain Oscar Vladimir obliging with a dream goal. Zidane and Figo turned on the class in the second period and Madrid ran out 1-3 winners.

Lanzarote will be heading back to the third division with a hat full of memories of success, which has also been their demise. Competing against Spain’s elite has come at great expense and for the past two seasons the existence of U.D. Lanzarote has been in serious threat and was only resolved hours before deadline.

Fittingly it was ex Primera Liga side Real Oviedo that dealt the final blow. After 13 seasons in the Primera Liga the Asturias side fell into a cash freefall and found themselves in the third division. Winning the third division via the play offs last season in front of a thirty thousand crowd was the stepping stone the club needed.

This season they are guaranteed second place with this win against Lanzarote and will be competing for promotion for a second successive season.

Once again the Rojillos seemed to be playing well only for the away side to draw first blood. In the 29th minute striker Mario Prieto blasted in a 25 yard belter that flew past keeper Vilches with the ball nestling into the top left hand corner.

Five minutes later and Toñito saw his effort from 10 yards fly inches over the upright as did Vladi moments later from an identical position.

During the entire second half the Rojillos gave their heart and soul with Toñito and Jonathon Torres orchestrating the pressure.

In the 73rd minute a great one two with Carlitos and Toñito saw himself with just the keeper to beat but the Oviedo keeper Serrano who concedes on average less than one goal a game saved at the winger’s feet. Another good effort from Torres produced a brilliant finger tip save from Serrano and Lanzarote´s hopes began to fade.

In the second minute of injury time the leagues third top scorer Manu Busto nailed the coffin shut with a classy individual finish following a counter attack.

The final game of the season is away versus Vecindario with neither side with anything to play for. The Gran Canarian side is sitting comfortable in 11th place and even if Lanzarote win they will finish the season bottom.