Sol y Futbol: Lanzarote poor performances continue

Ian reports from Arrecife, on a match where Lanzarote should have gained maximun points.

LANZAROTE   2   CD SAN PEDRO MÁRTIR   3

The worst possible outcome that could have happened on Sunday would have been for Lanzarote to lose and lowly San Isidro to at least grab a point. This is exactly what happened and the Rojillos are now in the bottom three and a mighty eight points adrift of a playoff spot after only six games.

For the third home match in a row the Rojillos fell behind within one and a half minutes. Not only does that put the Conejeros (locals) on the back foot it also means the game plan has been thrown out of the window seconds after the referee blows his whistle to start the match.

After just 90 seconds a terrible back pass by defender Taja was intercepted by striker Julio, he immediately fed team mate Rubén Pulido who gratefully accepted the gift by just tapping the ball home into the vacant net giving his side a shock 0-1 advantage.

After regaining their composure Lanzarote began playing some of the best football of the match. A ball crossed in from the right found Vladi on the far post, the ball was high but the midfielder shaped his body well and wrapped his foot around the ball but his bullet of a shot unfortunately hit the body of the San Pedro goalkeeper and was cleared.

In the space of four minutes the Rojillos reversed the score line. In the 27^th minute Alex Yunes fired in to level the scores and in the 31^st minute a wonderfully worked goal which ended in winger Toñito supplying a deadly low and powerful cross along the six yard box which found Rosmen who stroked the ball home to give the Rojillos a 2-1 lead.

Lanzarote were now well on top but in the 34^th minute the game was to take another turn as Vladi received a straight red for retaliation. It may have seemed harsh but raising your hands in today’s game attracts immediate attention to the Ref.

The Rojillos were still on top and should have added another just before half time with Rosmen failing to convert a good chance. As the half came to an end Lanzarote manager must have been pulling out what little hair he has left as he had to change his tactics for a second time.

The Gran Canarian side came out for the second half smelling blood and had the Lanzarote defence at full stretch. In the 63^rd minute and with the Rojillo defence already working overtime a neat chip to the far post found striker Rubén Pulido who comfortably nodded home his and his sides second of the match to level the score at 2-2.

The game really opened up and was hugely entertaining with both sides sensing victory. In the 85^th  minute Toñito was put through down the left and at full pace shrugged off the defender and as the keeper came out the Lanzarote winger went for the chip and at full stretch the Gran Canarian keeper made a terrific one handed save.

It was still anyone’s game and in the 93^rd minute what seemed a foul on Jotha in midfield was not given and San Pedro were on the counter attack. Midfielder Toba flew down the right wing and pulled the ball back for the oncoming Rubén Pulido who made no mistake blasting home from six yards to win the game and claim the match ball with a hat trick.

Incredibly Lanzarote came straight back and seconds after the visitors going in front sub Juancar picked the ball up in midfield and beat a couple of defenders and hit a belter from 20 yards, as the crowd rose to their feet the ball hit the underside of the bar and bounced high back off the goal line, first to react was Miguel Yunes who had to wait momentarily for the ball to come back down but then superbly headed goal bound only to see the goalkeeper react brilliantly tipping the ball over the bar for a corner.

As the corner was floated in the Lanzarote goalkeeper ventured forward and got his head on the ball but the San Pedro defenders cleared the danger and held on to claim all three points.

It may have been disappointing but the crowd will have no complaints for entertainment value but after the opening day win Lanzarote have only picked up 2 points out of a possible 15 which leaves them third from bottom claiming the final relegation spot.

Next Sunday the Rojillos travel to Gran Canaria to play Unión Viera who have only tasted defeat once this season.

GOALS
0-1   min 2  Rubén Pulido
1-1   min 27 Alex Yunes
1-2   min 31 Rosmen
2-2 min 63 Rubén Pulido
2-3 min 93 Rubén Pulido