Sol y Futbol: Rojillos Still Without Away Win

SOL y FUTBOL Ian Lane reports

LEGANÉS 2 LANZAROTE 1

U.D. Lanzarote once again fail to increase on their solitary point picked up on their travels this season despite a gutsy performance in Madrid.

The Rojillos began the game well. A long pass from Rúben Rodriguez was neatly controlled by Toñito, the winger then beat his marker but his shot fell straight into the arms of the Leganés goalkeeper Raúl Moreno.

The Madrid side then began to use both wingers on either flank which opened the defence of the Rojillos. In the 10th minute ex Rojillo Anibal Zurdo fired in a shot from the edge of the area and Rojillos keeper did well fisting away to safety.

Minutes later and Lanzarote had a great shout for a penalty. Striker Rosmen controlled the ball inside the box and a Leganés defender handled but unfortunately the official was unsighted and waved play on.

In the 23rd minute the home side was in front. Following a series of poor clearances defender Faruk tracked Carlos Martinez and the midfielder seemed to slip. The Ref surprised all the players and the 1500 crowd by ordering a spot kick. The midfielder rose from the deck and converted the penalty to send his side into a 1-0 lead.

The Rojillos heads did not drop as has happened in previous matches and began to enjoy the majority of the ball. In the 26th minute Toñito broke down the left wing but again his strike was too weak to test the Leganés keeper.

Five minutes later and the Rojillos deservedly drew level. A corner from the left was swung in and the Madrid defence seemed reluctant to clear, the ball fell kindly to striker Echedey who made no mistake blasting in his first goal for Lanzarote.

Moments later and the Rojillos could have been 2-1 down. A long ball was hoisted deep into Lanzarote territory and Lanzarote keeper Floro hesitated for a moment which allowed midfielder Juli to reach the ball first, he succeeded in chipping over the advanced keeper but fortunately for the Rojillos his effort also cleared the bar sparing the blushes of Lanzarote´s number one as the score line remained at stalemate one apiece going into the break.

Man of the match Carlos Martinez looked the most influential for Leganés. On the hour mark a good strike from distance by the danger man flew just wide. Five minutes on and the same player centered a cross to team mate Gustavo Miguel but his effort was easily saved by Floro.

The Madrid team enjoyed the majority of possession without causing much threat but in the 75th minute Carlos Martinez crossed in from the right and the ball was headed into the far post by Sub Quini leaving Floro flat footed and with no chance of saving the well angled header and Lanzarote found themselves 2-1 down.

A few minutes later a superb run by José Manuel flying threw various defenders ended with the winger crashing down inside the box. The Ref ignored the pleas of all of the Lanzarote players for a penalty as Leganés drew a sigh of relief.

With two minutes left on the clock the home side was reduced to ten men as striker Iván Zarandona received his second yellow card. From the resulting free kick the ball was passed short for Ayoze Pérez who struck the ball with venom only to see his effort fly inches wide as did Lanzarote´s chances of getting anything from the game.

Next Sunday Lanzarote play their most attractive game of the season against the B team of Real Madrid in Arrecife at 11am. The all whites have been struggling recently and have only won once in their last nine outings and this always seems to be an encounter which produces goals.

Guadalajara remain top following a 1-3 away win and Alcorcon spurred on by their demolition of Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey move up into fourth position occupying the final play off spot after a 0-1 away win against Tenerife B.