Sol y Futbol: Lanzarote draw at Vera

Thankfully Lanzarote managed to get a game this week. Ian Lane reports on UD Lanzarote's draw in Tenerife.

C.D. VERA   0   LANZAROTE   0

Whilst a draw away in Tenerife against the side that pipped Lanzarote to the last playoff position last season may seem reasonable, the Rojillos (The Reds) are desperate for that feeling of a win which they have only experienced once this season and that was on the opening day.

The home side began the better knowing that their opponents have the knack of conceding early and after only three minutes should have gone in front. Defender Donato found striker Samu free in the centre of the Lanzarote box, his rushed effort narrowly whisked past the upright to the relief of the fragile Lanzarote defence.

The Rojillos soon found their footing and in the eighth minute Lanzarote´s most dangerous player this season Miguel Yunes fired a shot come cross which narrowly missed the target.

Lanzarote began to dominate but just couldn’t convert possession into goals with Toñito guilty of a poor miss firing over the bar with just the Tenerife keeper to beat.

Undoubtedly the best chance of the first half fell to the home side. Striker Samu latched onto a cross from Larsson and instantly fired in a shot which had the Lanzarote goalkeeper beaten but he saw his effort hit the bar and away to safety ensuring the teams went into the half time break with the score goalless.

As the second half began both sides seemed intent in not being defeated as the primary objective. The Rojillos dominated possession but created little whilst the home side relied on counter attacks.

The game sprang into life in the 89^th minute. A free kick on the edge of the box for C.D. Vera was well saved by the Lanzarote keeper but as the ball fell loose the Tenerife side and fans strongly appealed for a penalty for an infringement on midfielder Juanqui. The Ref waved away the appeals and with the home side feeling aggrieved Pedrito picked up his second yellow card for dissent.

Moments later and the home side were reduced to nine men as sub Alex went in on a rash challenge on Rosmen and immediately was sent packing. With seconds remaining the Rojillos didn’t have the time to capitalise against the nine men so the game remained scoreless.

The point lifts Lanzarote out of the drop zone and up one position to 17^th in the league table. Next Sunday Lanzarote host Tenerife side U.D. Ibarra. The newcomers to the league have adapted well and are just two points from the playoffs following four wins in their last six outings. Kick off time will be confirmed later in the week, Please check.