UD Lanzarote’s incredible achievements in the Copa del Rey continued once again as they fought the leaders of Segunda A (championship) Racing Santander to the final whistle on October 29th, finally going down to a 3-4 defeat in a dramatic evening in Tías. Ian lane reports.
Real Racing Club de Santander has been widely praised by the Spanish media on how they are playing their style of football. They’ve won all of their seven away matches, opening an incredible eight-point gap at the top of the league, and are destined for Spain´s Golden league.
Fifth-tier Lanzarote proudly fielded nine local lads in their starting eleven, every one of them with the full understanding of their club’s record in Spain´s most famous cup competition. Previous wins against Athletic Bilbao, CD Tenerife, RCD Mallorca and narrow defeats against Real Madrid, Sevilla and Atlético Madrid are wired into the memory of every Lanzarote fan.
As expected, the second tier club zipped the ball around with pace and accuracy leaving the Rojillos with some frantic defending. Lanzarote gradually started to win possession and began to look comfortable but Racing hit them with two quality goals in the 32nd and 39th minute. Winger Ale Fuentes, who was about to have a memorable night, got Lanzarote back into the game, narrowing the deficit to 1-2 at half time.
Early in the second half Lanzarote had a goal disallowed for a dubious offside call and moments later penalty claims were waived away from the official when Captain Ayoze Pérez went down on a challenge in which the defender did not touch the ball. Racing stepped up a gear and two goals in two minutes saw Lanzarote trailing 1-4.
The Rojillos had no intention of giving up as Ale Fuentes nodded home in the 78th minute to make it 2-4 then a brilliant attack saw the local lad thunder in a strike in the 80th minute to secure his hat trick and pile the pressure on the Segunda A club with the score now at 3-4.
Lanzarote threw everything they had at their illustrious rivals and every supporter was out of their seat willing in that fourth goal to take it to extra time and make it a grandstand finish but unfortunately the red and blue heroes could not find that fourth goal.
The Rojillos had slipped in the league but three wins on the bounce have put them up to fourth spot and only three points off league leaders UD Las Palmas B.
For more info go to www.lanzarotefootball.com, Lanzarote Football Club on Facebook, email info@mercancialanzarote.com or call Ian on 649 963 943.
FORTHCOMING HOME FIXTURES
(normally it is Sunday at 12 noon but please check)
DEC 1ST LANZAROTE V UD SAN FERNANDO
DEC 22ND LANZAROTE V CD MENSAJERO (CHECK DATE AND TIME)
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