What a great time of season to hit top form, CD Marino followed up last weeks 0-1 win at leaders Granadilla with a spirited home comeback to see off third placed Mensajero 2-1. A subtle change has taken place in the team over the season and the newer players are making it hard for the old guard to keep a shirt.

Opening exchanges were pretty even, Airam and Lamine had half chances, the first running into a knot of defenders and the second shooting high and wide. The La Palma visitors looked a good side, well organized, big, strong and ready to exploit any weaknesses. Pulido was drifting in from his right back slot and Yeray took advantage of the space in the home defence.

Juanda was a bit slow for Mensajero when through on goal, he got a touch to the ball but it trickled slowly and Alberto was able to collect it. Murci is the goal machine for Marino, he turned brilliantly in the box and put the ball in the visitors net only to see it ruled out. Alberto did well coming to grab the ball at the edge of his area but going forward much of Marino’s play seemed hit and hope. Yosimar saw his rocket shot go wide and the half ended all square.

Marino were the better side from the start in the second half, Murci thought he was through but Hernandez was strong in defence and denied him. Mensajero suffered a setback after 54 minutes when Alfredo was sent off for a second booking, from the free kick Luis did well to punch away a Marino shot.

Facundo Valiente came on for Yosimar and added another striking option for the blues, Pablo could have grabbed the lead, his shot was a bit soft and drifted wide. It should have got easier for Marino but Mensajero shocked them with 15 minutes gone, Muda pounced from a corner to put them ahead. It put some urgency into Marino and they snapped back with Pablo heading in a goal from a floating right cross. It was all Marino now, youngster Fran Alonso came on and what a good player he looked, he couldn’t quite convert a set up from Murci and followed up with a header that just missed the target.

Lamine opened up Mensajero with a deep cross and sub Balduino showed great control to loop it into the top corner of the goal. The minutes were ticking away and the home victory looked assured, Alonso made fools of two defenders with his close control and was eager to take players on down both wings. It’s looking good for Marino, up to third place, this weekend they travel to Puerto de la Cruz to play Union Vera.

Over on the mainland CD Tenerife paid the price for poor finishing, mainly from Ayoze as Barcelona B took a 2-0 win. Aridane was still injured and joined on the treatment table by Borja, there was a debut for new signing Edgar who looked useful on the left wing. A Denis free kick after 25 minutes and a Nieto goal in the second half sealed the score. This Saturday it’s Zaragoza at home at 5pm, and a chance to see a few of the new players.