A goal feast was expected but a flat performance left CD Tenerife to come from behind for a 1-1 home draw with lowly Zamora. It was all set up nicely with the visitors carrying the worst defensive record in our section but when did logic mean anything in football.
Chechu’s weak tap in front of a welcoming goal in the second minute set the tone for the game. The midfield was not creating chances and although Aridane battled as always, there were too few scraps for him to feed on, his first effort was parried by Sanchez but there was no follow up. Tenerife had a new look defence, Amado filled in for the injured Tarantino in the centre and Jesus Alvaro slotted in for the suspended Llorente at left back. They had few defensive duties to worry about, Jesus looked comfortable on the ball and went on the attack forcing two defenders to bundle the ball out of play.
Sanchez looked vulnerable in the Zamora goal, a one handed flap saved him and a charge out to rob Chechu also came to his rescue. Something bizarre happened on the half hour mark – some light rain crossed the stadium, the locals thought nothing of it but it left us parched southerners bewildered.
Loro got into a strong position for a header but put it wide and Aridane was pulled up short for offside when a half chance arose. Cristo Martin did his best to force the pace but twice he got clattered to the ground although the ref kept his whistle dry. Goal less at half time the 8,013 crowd had the nagging thought that Zamora might nick a goal. It only took seven minutes for Santos to do the unthinkable, Sergio Aragoneses saved but couldn’t hold the ball and Santos nipped in and slid the ball under him to grab the lead.
Suso came on for Yeray and added some urgency, a nifty cross into the box and Aridane quickly leveled with a header. Tenerife pressed forward but Sanchez found his best form in the visitors goal denying Suso with a one handed stop. Jeremy became the latest new boy for CDT when he replaced Cristo and again it provided a brief boost. Loro was unlucky when Sanchez got a hand to his shot, just enough to take the power off it so a defender could hook it clear.
Guillem Marti was added to the mix as Chechu went off, he looked nippy but didn’t have the power to force his way through the block defence of Zamora. The former Austrian league striker came close but the Zamora keeper just got a foot to the ball to keep it out. Well at least we didn’t get a player sent off the pitch – this week we managed one from the bench. The ref had previously been over to have a word but when he returned he sent Yeray to the dressing room with a straight red – presumably for mouthing off.
It was a stupid way to get sent off, the third red in three games and for Yeray a chance to lose his team place after impressing with some fine performances. Zamora had shut up shop and were very happy to settle for an away draw, thankfully the other top teams failed to win so Tenerife stay top but missed a great chance to pull away from their rivals.