Sol y Futbol: Champions, but still more games to win until promotion.

Ian joined in the celebrations but yet still had time to post his report - a star. Come on Lanzarote

LANZAROTE 3 C.D. VERA 1


U.D. Lanzarote are Champions of the Third division (fourth tier) following a comfortable home win and with the help of our good friends in Tenerife that beat Las Palmas B the Rojillos win the league title by a point.

The day began with Las Palmas B league leaders by two points but still needing a win away in Tenerife against 14th placed side C.D. Laguna. There was no way any Tenerife side even with nothing to play for would help their Canarian neighbours in any sporting contest so the Rojillos knew that if they did their job then all was up for grabs.

The Rojillos looked nervous in the opening stages and the visitors enjoyed the majority of possession but lacked ideas further up field.

In the 18th minute the Rojillos early nervousness all but ended when they were awarded a penalty following a push on striker Rosman. Rubén Rodriguez hit low towards the right hand post and even though the keeper got a hand to the ball the pace of the spot kick was too much and Lanzarote were 1-0 up.

The visitor’s best moment of the half came in the 34th minute; a goal bound shot inside the area by defender Aaron was blocked by a Lanzarote defender with a goal saving lunge.

Three minutes before the interval and Lanzarote put themselves in a commanding position. January signing Pedro controlled the ball inside the area and toe pocked his shot under the advancing keeper sending the Rojillos in for their half time cuppa with a 2-0 advantage.

Lanzarote came out for the second period with the determination to end the match as a contest as quickly as possible. Five minutes in and Pedro fed fellow striker Rosman but from 12 yards the Rojillos leading scorer blasted high and over.

The blistering heat was taking its toll on both sides and the game lacked a little penetration and errors for both sides were inevitable.

With 20 minutes remaining an error in the Rojillo defence allowed striker Yonny to squeeze between the two Lanzarote centre backs and fire home, putting his side within touching distance at 2-1.

If the local fans thought they might be in for a nervous ending Toñito eased the tension by restoring the two goal advantage two minutes after conceding. The Lanzarote winger fired in a beauty from 15 yards low and powerful beating the outstretched keeper and in to the left hand corner.

For the remainder of the match the Rojillos held possession and with the visitors having to chase the game in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees this proved to be an impossible task.

Lanzarote had now done what they had set out to do by beating the opposition so it was just an anxious few minutes to confirm that Laguna had beaten Las Palmas B and Lanzarote to be announced as Champions of the Third Division. With that confirmed the celebrations began.

As automatic promotion for sides below the second tier of football in Spain does not exist Lanzarote are still two games off an immediate return to Segunda B (league1).

On Monday evening the draw will take place to see which mainland club the Rojillos will face. The first play off will be Sunday coming and the return leg is a week later. When the time and date are announced I will update the page.

Whichever club wins will be promoted and the losers will still have another chance by joining the three remaining clubs who finished in the play off positions with one space available for promotion. In reality this means that there could still be another six matches remaining before the players can enjoy their summer holidays.

Whatever does happen this has been a fantastic season for Lanzarote by already qualifying for the Copa Del Rey and finishing as Champions. The Canary Isles has produced some quality players of late, David Silva (Man City) from Gran Canaria and Pedro (Barcelona) from Tenerife to name but a few. Many of Las Palmas first team are foreigners as are Tenerife whereas 90 per cent of Lanzarote´s squad are born and bred Conejeros (locals) so hats off to the Rojillos for finishing above both of their second teams.

An extra spur for the Rojillos is knowing that the relegation of Tenerife from Segunda A (Championship) will produce a memorable derby match should promotion be achieved.

GOALS

1-0min 18 Rubén Rodríguez (penalty)
2-0min 42 Pedro
2-1 min 70 Yonny
3-1 min 72 Toñito

NEWS UPDATE

Lanzarote´s next home game is the first leg of the play off final for promotion to Segunda B (league1) in Arrecife on Sunday 22nd May versus Burgos CF at (time to be confirmed)