Last seasons 2-0 home win over Xerez was the best game of the season, but times have changed for both promoted sides. Xerez arrived with a tight 5 man defence and no appetite to play football, while Tenerife huffed and puffed but again lacked firepower, the eventual 1-0 win was not pretty but the points were very welcome.
The players ran out to a sea of white, blue and yellow, part of the 45th anniversary of the Canarian Independence flag, and for the first half Tenerife were the only side in it. Changes in defence saw Manolo and Sicillia resume their central partnership with Bellvis and Nunez filling the full back slots. The defence had little to test them as Xerez sat back and tried to block the midfield. Roman went close after 5 minutes and Nino spurned a clearer opportunity near the half hour mark.
Everyone was willing Nino to hit the net and revive his form, his team mates were clearly aware of his desperate need for a goal and tried to set him up but too often the final touch was a bit slow in coming. CDT showed some good build up play with Kome and Roman sparking in midfield but Xerez were a tough nut to crack. The second half was pretty dire, Tenerife lost their way and their passing became sloppy, coach Oltra tried to pep them up and the introduction of Omar after 61 minutes, and Angel just after, gave them some new life.
The goal came from a move down the left, Bellvis started it off feeding Omar out wide, he flashed in a cross and Alfaro was there to meet it with his head, the crowd cheers were as much of relief as joy. Tenerife held on against their poor visitors to seal victory in front of a slightly dissapointing 17,754 crowd.
It’s a busy week ahead, Monday is awards night in Madrid, Oltra, Bertran, Ricardo, Alfaro and Nino are all in the frame at the LFP (players union) presentations for last season. Nino has to be extra versatile as at a seperate venue across Madrid he will receive his Pichichi award for Segunda top goal scorer. Then on Wednesday night, it’s the away leg of the Copa del Rey against Celta Vigo.