The Dorada was flowing, the barbecue was sizzling and our host Antonio of Suters Bar even got a 50th birthday mention on TV Canarias football coverage. CD Tenerife joined in the party mood with a bright start at Real Jaen but a dramatic last minute penalty gave the home side a 1-0 win to dent Tenerife’s automatic promotion hopes.
Diego Rivas finally made his debut in goal and had a solid game until the last minute when he came out to close down Jozabed, he made the slightest touch, but a touch none the less, and the Jaen player hit the floor and won a penalty. It wasn’t the best of performances by Tenerife, they made plenty of chances in the first half but couldn’t convert them and in the second half they seemed content to accept a draw. Former Santa Cruz favorite Kitoko looked out of place at left back for Jaen as he had in the early season match up, the injured Suso could have ripped him apart.
Ayoze posed plenty of threats, he beat the defence only to be squeezed aside for a corner and later skinned Kitoko to set up Rivero but his shot went wide. Aitor Sanz had the clearest chance but his fierce shot was turned aside by the home keeper. Edgar was having a quiet game although his rising shot came close to sneaking in the top corner of the goal. Jaen started to come into the game forcing Rivas to make some decisive interventions, the best from Jona who spurned a headed chance just before the break.
It was a slightly subdued Tenerife that came out for the second half, Real Jaen pushed up and made Rivas work hard between the sticks, another former CDT player Oscar Rico was looking lively, he tested Rivas with a curling strike just before Ros came on for Ricardo. Chechu replaced Edgar and nearly made the breakthrough with his shot cum cross but still the home threat persisted, Jona’s header looked dangerous and needed a good high take from Rivas to stop it. The last gamble by Tenerife was to introduce Loro for Rivero but it didn’t produce the spark needed.
A draw was starting to look like a fine result as the game fizzled out but the ref blew straight away when Jozabed went down and pointed to the spot. Jona could have done the decent thing and missed but his aim was true and nicked the points. At least the damage was minimal due to rivals results but the booking situation is still prickly, Bruno got a yellow and misses the Girona home game and Ricardo joined Ayoze Perez, and Edgar one booking away from a suspension. The big prize is still up for grabs with six league games to go.