Happy New year to all followers of Sol y Futbol, life has returned to normal on the island, football is back. Ian Lane posts the first report of the year.
LANZAROTE 2 LAS PALMAS B 2
Ten man Rojillos let slip a two goal advantage with the visitor’s levelling the match in the 89th minute. Nevertheless the Rojillos extend their unbeaten run to eight games but have slipped to mid table and are now five points from the play offs.
The Rojillos got off to a flying start dominating the opening stages. Javi Betancort came close in the eighth minute only to see his strike deflected away to safety.
In the 12th minute the Rojillos took the lead from a corner with a header from David Dorta. His team mates were quick to congratulate the Tenerife defender after speculation that he was about to follow goalkeeper Santi Lampón and leave the club in the January transfer window.
The Gran Canarian side restored the balance of possession but it was the Conejeros (locals) who looked the more dangerous of the two sides. On the half hour and in the space of two minutes winger Toñito created two good opportunities for team mates Gustavo García and Ayoze but both were unable to complete the good work created from Toñito.
In the 38th minute the course of the game began to favour the yellow and blues of Las Palmas when Sixto was harshly awarded his second yellow card of the day and the Rojillos were forced to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Two minutes before half time and Lanzarote had a marvellous opportunity to double their lead. A deadly cross from the by-line across the six yard box by Ayoze found defender Ángel Gil on the far post but somehow from three yards the defender missed the target and only managed to fire his shot into the side netting with the goalkeeper caught in no man’s land.
It was hard to notice that the Rojillos were a man short as they pressed forward in search of the second goal cushion though the score remained 1-0 at the break in favour of the Conejeros.
The visitors were fired up at the beginning of the second half but the league´s best defence stood firm and in the 58th minute Lanzarote caught their opponents on the break which allowed Ayoze a free strike at goal from inside the box but his effort sailed high and over towards the scorching sun.
In the 65th minute Lanzarote deservedly went 2-0 up from a 25 yard strike by Jotha which eased the tension among the fans. This tension returned only three minutes later when striker Omar struck an absolute beauty from a free kick just outside the box reducing the deficit to 2-1.
This goal gave the visitors a major boost and Lanzarote were forced to defend in numbers. In the 89th minute Lanzarote keeper failed to deal with a corner and the ball hit defender Adrián on the thigh and trickled over the goal line to give Las Palmas B a share of the spoils.
The Rojillos weren’t finished yet as they desperately went in search of the full three points. As Lanzarote launched the ball deep into their opponent’s territory late in stoppage time Rosmen connected firmly with a header only to see the ball bounce off the bar for the umpteenth time this season for the tall striker.
The game may have ended as a draw but even the Las Palmas coach stated in the post match press conference that his side were fortunate to travel back to Gran Canaria with a point.
Lanzarote should be boosted by this performance which possibly was the best game they have played this season. Next week the Rojillos travel to La Palma to play 16th placed side U.D. Tijarafe.
GOALS
1-0min 12 David Dorta
2-0min 65 Jotha
2-1min 68 Omar
2-2min 89 Adrián (own goal)
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