Football is a game of emotions, CD Marino thought they had experienced them all this season but their nerves were shredded to the final whistle as they closed the relegation trap door with a 1-0 home win over Union Sur Yaiza. Javi Marchena will have hazy memories of the victory as he was felled by the full force of the ball in the face at close quarters with just 15 minutes to play. Dizzy and in pain he needed treatment on the pitch but in time added for that stoppage Quintana crashed the ball into the Lanzarote team’s net to ensure survival.
With two games to play and a slender two points above the drop zone CD Marino were in attacking mood but they had to on guard for Yaiza breakaways, a goal conceded would have left a mountain to climb. Coly unleashed the first home attempt on goal but it rose over the crossbar. Kevin Castro at right back robbed the ball from Rami when the green shirted forward threatened and pushed the ball upfield. Hammad is one of the later arrivals to the Marino team, he’s made steady improvement and this was to be his best game in the home shirt, he worked tirelessly and tested the Yaiza defence twice in the first ten minutes.
Javi Marchena forced a corner as Marino turned up the pressure, the ball came out to Coly, his sliced shot wasn’t far off target. There was a warning at the other end as Yunes turned smartly to let fly with a shot that lacked direction. Adan was always a handful for the visitors defence, he beat two defenders before they managed to head the ball clear. Full back Javi of Yaiza tried his luck with a run that finished with his shot tickling the home post. It was pretty tense, Marino looked the better side but needed a goal to underline the fact. Coach Constantno shuffled his pack, replaced Alberto with Quintana, and Connor moved to right back to let Kevin Castro return to his former forward role.
The urgency was clear in Marino’s game, a deep free kick saw Marco Cicovic leave his goal area to launch the ball to the eager front runners. Josito closed the first half by floating in a hanging cross but there was no Marino head to meet it. Hammad thought he had made the breakthrough just into the second half, his shot pinged back off the bar with the keeper beaten. Coly nearly made a goal from nothing, his brave low diving header caught the Yaiza defence off guard but went the wrong side of the post. Pablo came on for Josito, his size added a new threat to the Marino attack and Coly tried his luck again with another crisp shot.
The injury to Javi Marchena cranked the tension up a few more notches, he was helped off the pitch as Cristo joined the game. Time was ticking away, signals from the bench kept the players aware that the team just below them, San Jose, were drawing 1-1, if both games were tied it would leave Marino sweating on a difficult away game at title hopefuls Las Palmas B. Quintana shrugged off a defender for a near miss, Cristo was causing plenty of problems to Yaiza’s right back but still the goal wouldn’t come. Moving into the extra minutes Kevin Castro was fouled, the free kick sparked a last big push and as the ball flew loose and Quintana struck the blow that finally saw off Yaiza. As the final whistle blew players fell to the pitch, tears flowed, and the celebrations started.
It was a nervous final home game but Marino showed great character and team spirit, survival meant so much to this young squad, many had grown up at the club, earning their way up through the age levels. There’s plenty to build on, the spirit is good and the passion for the badge is strong. Before the game the clubs other teams were presented to the crowd, the senior team is the aim for all of them and next year they will compete again in the Tercera Division of Spanish football.