Six open play goals, extra time, a penalty shoot out, and two players sent off. But those dramatic ingredients were just tasters of the sumptuous feast of football as CD Tenerife´s Copa Del Rey dream ended in glorious failure, losing 2-4 to Athletic Bilbao on penalties after a 3-3 draw.  Bilbao goalie, Herrerin floored Shaq Moore as he jumped for a high ball just five minutes into the game, and a late VAR call ensured a red card for him and a penalty for his replacement Ezkieta to face. Joselu slotted the ball past the new keeper and ignited the 17,484 crowd that included a good sprinkling of Basque fans mixed with the home supporters.

It was already brewing into a great celebration of the good things in football, and Bilbao striker Inaki Williams received wide spread applause and the chanting of his name during the ninth minute from the home fans as a show of disgust at his racial abuse from Espanyol fans in his last game. The young striker was one of the jewels in the star studded line up from the La Liga team and showed his goal touch after 17 minutes from a Yuri raid down the left. Home coach Ruben Baraja has cultivated a growing resilience among the Tenerife players, it shone brightly just a few minutes later. Elliot found a burst of speed and cut in wide behind two defenders before setting up Joselu to restore the lead.

Even a player short, Bilbao looked a class outfit, they seemed to have more time on the ball, better options, and a willingness to spread the play quickly. Ortola had to make a couple of good saves to guide Tenerife to the break, and he carried on after the restart by tipping another chance aside. A little confusion between a Milla back pass and Javi Alonso´s stretch to intercept the ball, left the door ajar and Inaki didn´t need a written invite to pick out the back of the net to square the scores. It was all finely poised and the atmosphere in the stadium was red hot as the home fans turned up the volume. Extra time was looming, not an ideal situation with vital league games ahead and several key players injured, but the magic of the night swept the players along with it.

So 15 minutes each way was the next hurdle. Dani Gomez was brought on for Undabarrena, a positive attacking swap to show Tenerife´s ambition. Play got more frantic as nerves frayed, Dani got brought down by some sturdy tackles but shrugged them off and continued to battle. Carlos Ruiz got an unwelcome second sending off in consecutive games when his loose tackle on Inaki earned a second booking. The continued threat of Dani Gomez brought its reward, Leicue chopped him down in the box and the ref pointed to the penalty spot. The 21 year old showed nerves of steel to convert the kick with just five minutes to hang on for a momentous victory.

There was more drama to squeeze out. A loose ball outside the home box was crashed in to the Tenerife net by Yuri and the agonising remaining three minutes ebbed away to usher in the dreaded five penalties each ordeal. Bilbao led the way and the alternate shots were finished with precision until Joselu put the ball over the bar. After Vilalibre netted, the pressure was all on Shaq Moore who missed. It was a cruel end but the Heliodoro was bouncing with pride and praise. Tenerife gained so much from their performance and will look to use it as a springboard to continue their improvement and rise away from any relegation threat.

Talk about a slow burner. There were wholesale changes to the regular line ups of CD Tenerife and Real Valladolid and it showed in a half pace first half, but the home side grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck after the break to win this Copa del Rey (Kings Cup) tie 2-1. The Tenerife starting line up was particularly baffling with full back Shaq Moore wandering in a midfield no mans land and surplus defenders Sipcic and Isma Lopez could have put a card in a newsagents window to get a new club, their play was so poor. Ortola started back in goal and was relieved that Sandro hit his early strike straight into his body. Javi Alonso ha a let off when he miss timed a defensive tackle and it was all far from a feast of football. It was a different story in the second half as both sides warmed to their task.

Elliot was getting some good home crosses in, new signing Joselu showed that he would be a real asset up front with his heading ability. Sandro made the break through though with a shot that was only part saved by Ortola, he showed nifty footwork to tuck the loose ball in the goal.  Lopez got adventurous and unleashed a shot that just missed the Valladolid post as belief spread through the home side. Just after the hour, Elliot launched another teasing cross and Joselu rose between the markers to head the ball down and past the goalie. That raised everybody spirits and the arrival of sub Dani Lopez for Joselu cranked up the forward momentum. The 20 year old strikers first chance came when he latched onto a deep pass but couldn´t squeeze it the right side of the post.

Valladolid´s goalie had to be replaced after picking up an injury, his replacement had plenty to keep him busy. Dani Gomez was a real livewire as always, his enthusiasm rubbed off on his team mates and the 8,408 crowd. The cold night air and the glare of the floodlights promised a little bit of magic to come, and it did. Into the final five minutes and the charge was on, Dani was just short of reach to poke a squirming ball past the struggling goalie but the next surge was more fruitful. Sandro had a mixed night for the visitors but his lingering memory will be of his clumsy push on free flowing Dani Gomez that brought a penalty. From the moment the striker put the ball on the spot his determination was clear and he sent the keeper the wrong way to claim the lead and hurdled the boards to milk the fans applause.

The final few minutes were full of celebration, cup success has been elusive in recent seasons so the outpouring of joy went on after the ref had signalled the end of the game. Two home wins on the trot is not to be sniffed at, with the derby at Las Palmas and a possible La Liga giant at home a few days later in the next cup round, the smiles are back among the CD Tenerife fans.

Shackled, blunted, and generally frustrated. Even 18 goal Stuani didn´t get a look in for visiting Girona as CD Tenerife gave a 1-o defensive master class. It took just eight minutes for fit again Nahuel to storm down the left, beat two markers, and side foot the winning goal. The unlucky striker didn´t have time to celebrate as he pulled up injured and had to be replaced. That adversity merely toughened CD Tenerife´s resolve.

Former Middlesbrough striker Stuani soon got the message as Alberto expertly blocked his progress. Back to his inspired best, Alberto and central partner Carlos Ruiz formed a formidable barrier for the Girona team. Luis Perez polished up his own skills as well with four text book interventions in the first half, it was stirring stuff for the 9,454 crowd. Girona arrived with big money backing and big ideas but they counted for nothing against the hard work and pride of their hosts. Surging left back Mojica was a danger with his tricky runs but even he was overwhelmed by the brick wall in front of him.

Diamanka had the only clear Girona chance of the first half, heading wide  from a long threaded pass. Borja Garcia was confident with a turn and shot 10 minutes after the break but Dani Hernandez got his body behind it for a solid save, one of many he contributed to the game. Jozabed saw the big pink goalies gloves swallow his later attempt, Dani  has been enjoying a second lease of life after getting his starting role back. There was no shortage of effort from the home attack either. Dani Gomez led the line with endless running and a nose for a half chance. Coach Baraja arrived in December pledging to make Tenerife hard to beat, his replacement of forward Jorge with holding midfielder Undabarrena underlined that commitment. As the game neared its end, Elliot had a close effort and Dani punched away a desperate Girona attempt. The Tenerife players euphoric reaction to the final whistle showed their pride in a job well done and hopefully a turning point in the season.

Make no mistake, CD Marino are the real deal this season. Playing their home game at Buzanada, the blues oozed confidence and that combined with hard work and flexible tactics ensured a 2-1 victory over CD Tenerife B. The Santa Cruz visitors had the best of the early play as Youssef put a shot wide, and Borja looped a chance over the bar.

Marino are very good at absorbing pressure to take the sting out of their opponents, it proved to be the case again as the defence stood firm. Most of Tenerife´s attacks were down their left to Faridi but it became predictable and encouraged the blues to spread their own play. Ahmed has been a welcome return to  Marino, he was on top form out wide on the left, it took a well timed tackle by Pedro to cut off his determined run at goal. The busy forward was soon troubling the visitors again but blasted the ball wide.

At the other end Saavedra was cool and calm to shield the ball to safety when Borja threatened. Otano was getting more to do in goal for Tenerife, he was strong in the air and cut out a couple of good chances. Just after the half hour, Marino took the lead with a superb piece of skill from Nami, he cut inside from the left, went across two defenders, and unleashed a fierce shot into the back of the net.  Javi was strong and powerful leading the attack and went close with a rushed shot. Faridi closed the half with a free kick that was cleared by the home defence.

Tenerife tried to up their tempo after the break, a long shot was cleared well with a two fisted punch from goalie David. Play switched to the other end as Ahmed brought an equally impressive tip over save from Otono. Adri tried to catch Marino off guard but was thwarted by an alert David who raced out to block him. The visitors 13 goal top scorer, Brian Martin was only sub but was brought on to try to get them back into the game. It worked well, he met a hanging cross from Borja with a firm header and the game was all square. Faridi nearly grabbed the lead with a low shot, and Adri headed over but Marino came back strongly.

Roy made a great run down the right and fired in a tempting cross, Saavedra ghosted in from outside the box and buried the ball past Otono with a powerful header to restore the lead. That seemed to kill off the Tenerife threat, Marino were well on top for the closing 10 minutes, Samuel put a shot just wide and sub Prince crashed in a long shot that wasn´t far off target. There was some desperate defending from Tenerife to prevent further damage, Bamba was fouled twice in the space of five yards as he headed down the right flank. The final whistle marked another big step forward for Marino who returned to the top of their Tercera Division group and kept on course for the promotion play offs.

Leaving a U Boat conning tower and a string of Nazi bodies, Secret Intelligence Service agent Scott Rutherford has moved on from the thrilling conclusion of The Tenerife Alternative, the explosive debut thriller fom Cranley Harding. The smooth agent and his bosses soon discovered links to a limpet mine attack on HMS Worcester in Gibraltar´s Royal Navy dock yards, and swung into action.

It´s 1935, Germany, Spain, and post Easter Uprising Ireland are in a state of flux as cut throat mercenaries, acting in their names but serving their own interests as Europe heads towards war. If you haven´t sampled Scott Rutherford´s fierce determination and resourceful drive in The Tenerife Alternative, prepare to be impressed by his actions and the words of Glasgow born but Southport settled author, Cranley Harding. Scott´s world is based on historical fact but with a few tweaks of dramatic licence, this hero is old school and doesn´t take many prisoners. Constantly adapting to conditions in the field, Scott even learns to moderate his view of the fairer sex after working with a half French and totally beautiful comrade, Yvonne Recoule who shows a tough edge that matched his own.

Scott´s enemies have revenge on their minds which adds to the thrilling ride across many borders with twists and turns that will keep you enthralled. The Gibraltar Incident is available from Amazon in paperback or Kindle version or you can contact Cranley direct for a copy. If you are in Tenerife, both books are available at Libreria Barbara in Paseo Pablos Abril in Los Cristianos. Don´t be too despondent when you turn the final page, Cranley let slip the word “trilogy” when I discussed the latest adventure with him.

Heavy on build up but light on shooting, CD Marino fell behind to UD Las Palmas C. A more direct second half approach and positive substitutes brought their rewards with a last gasp injury time 2-1 home win to regain top spot in their Tercera Group.

Zeben Buades found visiting goalie Ale´s safe hands with an early strike. Diego made room for an acute angle shot that cleared the bar, but they were limited after that by a solid back four. Too many times Marino moves broke down as they passed the ball around rather than take a pop at the goal. The yellows from Gran Canaria began to get more adventurous, Luis unleashed a swerving shot from a deep position which wasn´t far off target. A few minutes later their enterprise paid off, as Ian caught the home defence cold with a powerful strike to take the lead.

Luis speculated again, putting the ball wide, and Pipo forced a good save from David in the home goal. Charni pushed up more from midfield to spice up the blues play, and Niki opened Las Palmas up with his runs down the right. Marino were causing Las Palmas more problems now, A Diego cross from the right fell perfectly for Santi but his header flew over the bar. There was still danger from the visitors, Diego was though before Saavedra tidied up with a back header to David.

Marino looked sharper after the break, Ahmed tried to lock onto a cross pass but it was too high to meet with a header. A double change on the hour saw Marino add Bamba and Javi Gonzalez for Santi and Zeben. The changes gave Marino more punch and they forced a series of corners. The leveller came when a speedy run and cross was powered into the goal from the head of Nami. With Ahmed, Nami, and Javi Gonzalez taking turns to be the target man, the Las Palmas defence struggled to shackle them. Javi warmed the keepers gloves with a crisp shot, and Ahmed teed up the ball before firing wide.

Recent signing Oli made a run from his central defensive position to meet a corner with his head but didn´t manage to hit the target. The final home change brought  Michael from the bench to patrol the left wing as Ahmed departed. Pipo managed a forced slice at the Marino goal but David wasn´t troubled. The subs were giving Marino plenty of fresh ideas but the yellows Sebas wasn´t long arrived on the pitch when his full on tackle on Michael left him worse off and he needed carrying off the pitch for treatment.

One last big push was needed by Marino and that was what they gave. With the Las Palmas goal mouth crowded a corner from Samuel sailed over and Michael got a head to it, a deflection off the yellows Josemi made sure the goalie couldn´t stop it and the Marino players piled on each other to celebrate their win. Now a point clear at the head of the table, the second half of the season should give Marino a good shot at the promotion play offs.

Battered and on the ropes, CD Tenerife had good reason to feel apprehensive about 2020 but a vintage display from 34 year old captain Suso and a home start goal for 18 year old Jorge Padilla led the gloom busting in a 4-2 win over Albacete Balompie. Injuries forced changes on coach Ruben Baraja and produced a sprightly start. Luis Milla stung the Albacete goalies hands after a good build up Nadal added a finger tip stop to partly stop a long drive, Dani Gomez flicked the loose ball to the buzzing 18 year old forward Jorge and his cool, clinical finish produced a 10th minute lead.

Albacete´s  Azamourm blasted a shot over the home bar and Carlos Ruiz robbed Fuster with a crunching tackle. Dani Hernandez, back in goal for the injured Ortola, had already looked at ease when guiding a roque Albacete shot wide off his post. Tenerife looked confident and comfortable on the ball, Milla was back to something like his best form and Jorge and 20 year old Elliot Gomez were banging the drum for the clubs youth policy. Milla showed great vision to pick out Dani Gomez with a fine pass, Nadal had to be alert to stop his shot.

Before the game Suso had received an award for completing 300 games in a Tenerife shirt, the total would have been much higher but he had a few years away from his home club, including a year in Fuerteventura where a 7 year old Jorge was just starting out. The captain continued to defy the march of time with another passionate performance highlighted by his powerful run to leave defender Benito in his wake before burying the ball for a 2-0 lead just before the break. Suso had more sparkle to add less than ten minutes into the second half, deep down the right wing he delivered the perfect ball that took out two defenders and found the feet of Dani Gomez to stretch the lead. The skipper nearly worked his magic again when he took the ball into the post and was only denied by Nadal.

Albacete were a poor side but managed a brief fightback. A corner found the head of Rey Manaj who scored despite the attention of several markers. Then a few minutes later old defensive worries returned when Ojedo nipped in front of Carlos Ruiz to tap in a second goal. Tenerife shuffled the pack and brought on the defensive Undabarrena for Jorge, closely followed by Shaq Moore on the right for Suso, both departed to deserved ovations. Alex Muñoz pushed forward from defence to show his attacking qualities, a neat interchange with Dani Gomez didn´t quite work but helped to put the pressure back on the visitors. Javi Alonso was the last home sub replacing Elliot, Javi is another of the rich crop of home grown talent and in just a couple of months has become a fixture in the senior squad.

A big finish would have capped an encouraging return to for Tenerife and they delivered it via an individual pearl from Muñoz who made a swerving run from deep and unleashed a shot worthy of an experienced striker to make it 4-2. It seemed everyone wanted to get in on the act, Undabarrena is known more for his defensive qualities but let rip with a fierce blast that Nadal had to look lively to grab. The victory was a relief after the recent free fall of results and was achieved without injured key players like Ortola, Bermejo and Borja. The January transfer window is going to be a key ingredient to Tenerife climbing away from the drop zone so it was noticeable that Narnanjo, Mierez, Sipcic, Lopez, Dos Santos, and Malbasic didn´t see any action, at least a couple of them should be leaving in the next few weeks.