Hands up anyone who thought the newly arrived Aridane was a waste of space. Hang on I can’t count that many, and yes I have both hands up, but with a regular starting slot Aridane has improved steadily and this 3-1 home win over Badalona was his finest hour. Apart from a anxious spell when the visitors pulled back to 2-1 behind, this was a near perfect afternoon in an atmosphere harking back to the glory days of promotion to the Primera.

Both main strikers Aridane and Perona played a fine unselfish team game. Quique Medina sprung a few more pre match surprises bringing Tarantino and Sergio Rodriguez back into the defence in place of Medina and Cristobal and they did a decent job. Zazo must have thought his wonder goal in the 1-1 away draw a week earlier would cement his starting place but Victor Bravo was preferred and rewarded the coach’s faith with a powerful opening goal after 36 minutes. Perona pounced on a loose ball, started to head for goal but realising his path was blocked he layed the ball off to Bravo whose long range smash left the goalie groping at air.

It was an inspiring day to be a chicharrero, the stadium was decked out in blue and white bunting and as CD Tenerife took to the pitch an avalanche of tifo and toilet rolls produced a blue and white snow storm. It certainly gave the team a flying start, Perona was through on goal after 11 minutes, he beat the defence and took the ball wide before shooting, somehow the keeper scrambled back to clear his line. At the other end a fierce shot at Sergio was easily smothered but a booking for Tarantino left him flirting with a 4th dismissal of the season and Pablo Sicilia had to be replaced with Medina after a clash of heads left him with blurrred vision. Perona could have had at least a couple of goals had it not been for the woodwork but a half time lead was what we had hoped for.

The second half opened in style, Chechu floated in a corner and Aridane glanced the ball into the net with a commanding header. The party mood cranked up a few notches, angelic voices were in full cry, bodies were bouncing up and down, and we even had cheer leaders adding a touch of glamour as they raced around the pitch side barriers – maybe some of the wrong smoke had got up my nostrils cos I even thought I saw Super Mario smile! Fair play to Badalona, they refused to give up and pulled a goal back from a corner, the ball broke to Ceballos, time and the defence froze and he lashed the ball into the net. The away goals rule meant an equaliser would have been enough to win the tie for Badalona so they pressed forward. Sergio made vital saves from Garcia and Robles before Aridane showed how good he can be. The big forward took the ball down the left and beyond the defence, kept it in play at the byline and slotted it back to the on rushing Chechu to make it 3-1. It was a magnificent goal and the players piled on Aridane to celebrate.

The 13,379 crowd could sense victory and the wave rippled around the stadium – long time since we have seen that. Kike Lopez had a chance to increase the lead, he guided the ball past the keeper at close range but also just wide of the post. Badalona were a spent force now, Tenerife counted down the minutes and the final whistle was celebrated by players, fans, and even a few up on the flat balconies high above the stadium. Another hurdle jumped but now it’s away (3 June) and home (10 June) with Linense from just outside Gibraltar. The quest continues.