Multi coloured wigs, garish dresses, and fantasy figures filled the Heliodoro stadium with joyous song as CD Tenerife beat Elche 1-0 in the Santa Cruz Carnaval game. But top billing of the afternoon went to the mean spirited home defence as they underscored another impressive team performance.

The gradual encroachment of the thick sand and dust calima turned the sky into an oppressive hot dome but it was the 6th placed visitors who looked parched and drained by the end of the game. Former Tenerife scoring legend, Nino, may be 39 now but he led the visiting attack and his wide shot after 7 minutes was a warning that he still has goals in his locker. At the other end of the pitch, and age scale, Dani Gomez, a mere 21, boosted his growing status with his 6th goal of the season. A headed ball down to the young gun was hooked to his right and despatched between goalie and post.

Home coach Baraja has instilled a sense of team responsibility, Dani even came deep to cover for Elche´s few forays forward. Luis Perez and Alex Munoz were keen to turn defence into breakaways, Perez is being courted by several La Liga teams for next season but he was as consistent and focused as ever, he made Cruz look like a novice when he nicked he ball off the forward. Alberto is also attracting envious eyes at a time when he is back to his brilliant best. The central defender was strong and aggressive but without the lapses in concentration that had haunted his early season form. Sipcic, alongside him, has upped his game too as shown with his perfectly timed header to defuse Pepe Milia.

What would Carnaval be without a clown? VAR and the ref filled that role with the worst example so far of man and machine in perfect disharmony. The ref with no clear incident or complaint, checked in with VAR and then gave a free kick way out in midfield with no bearing on any game affecting offence. Dani Gomez started the second half with another close shave at goal and just past the Elche post. Munoz had a half chance after Shaq Moore had made good inroads down the right wing as Nahuel worked he left flank. Joselu´s early goal burst after his January arrival, had been quiet in recent games but he worked hard and was sharp to turn into the box and poke a shot just beyond the post. The tall striker had a penalty shout when Verdu bundled him over but VAR was having a nap.

Javi Munoz and Mazan took over from Joselu and Nahuel for a cautious last ten minutes, and forgotten striker Mierez,got another few minutes run out to encourage his return to favour. There was still time for Dani Gomez to be clattered over when in a promising position. The score held as the home crowd poured out into the night to lubricate their calima dried throats. The revival trundles on and even the awful weather couldn’t obscure that.

Irresistible in attack and resilient in defence, CD Marino surveyed their Tercera division rivals from a three point lead after seeing off Union Puerto Rosario 2-1 in Playa de Las Americas. Chata was the first  player to have a go at goal, his wild blast didn’t trouble David in the home goal. The blues keeper had more of a test from a Juanmi back pass but claimed the ball comfortably.

Precious was making things tick at the heart of the Union midfield, he dug out a dead ball to feed Cebolla whose run floundered against the defensive resolve of Marino. It only took 15 minutes for Marino to take the lead, and it was a text book goal. Nami sped down the right and casually laid the ball across into the path of Santi for an easy slot in. Nami worked his magic again a few minutes later, this time the pass was to Charni who shot straight at the goalie. Ahmed has been a welcome return to the Marino numbers on the left, he can play the flicks and neat lay offs to set others on their way, but also has a keen eye for goal. On the half hour, Ahmed rode a defenders tackle and went on to tease his way past the outstretched goalie to double the lead.

That should have been enough to kill the game but Union came out for the second half with a positive attitude and made Marino work for their points. Precious saw his chance down the left for an unchallenged raid on the home goal and finished well to reduce the arrears. That woke up his team mates, Sandro came close to scoring from a corner but Diego and Saavedra held firm in the centre of defence. Ahmed was always ready to pounce for Marino, this time Paquito cleared the danger. Hector picked up from the visitors defence and aimed at David but the keeper plucked the ball under control.

Cebolla managed a weak header that hardly tickled David’s glove and Marino made a couple of quick swaps with Javi Gonzalez and Zeban forming a new frontal spearhead as Santi and Diego departed. Union tried to claw their way back but Marino have a sterner look this season and know how to close a game down. Paquito did well to repel a late bombardment from Marino, especially in the air, but the points were well already under lock  and key. There was more good news when second placed Tenisca slipped up with a defeat at CD Tenerife B to ensure some space between the blues and second placed Atletico Paso. It’s a test of nerves now to see if Marino can hold off the teams snapping at their heels. Top spot would deliver a shorter play off path when the 18 regional group winners fight for the promotion to Segunda B. Those left behind in the three runner up places face a long drawn out series of games to claim the big move up into the third tier of Spanish football.

Riding the wave of confidence from their improved form, CD Tenerife swept Sporting Gijon aside for a 2-0 half time lead. The down side of the epic Kings Cup battles was physical and mental tiredness, leading to Gijon´s 83 rd minute peg back before a tense 2-1 home victory.

Alberto shielded the ball well and back to Dani Hernandez as Vazquez waited for early scraps. Dani Gomez and Joselu as an attacking pair promised much but it was centre back Sipcic who delivered an eighth minute lead with a powerful header through the midst of the visitors defence. The improving Serbian used his head again, this time at the other end soon after to clear a dangerous shot. Djurdjevic had an ambitious overhead bicycle kick with his back to goal but it trickled wide of the post. Alberto, back to his best form, denied Vazquez with a well timed header and Tenerife looked in control.

Injuries have blighted Tenerife´s season and it happened again when Dani Hernandez fell to the floor in agony after taking a goal kick. Treatment got him to his feet briefly but he was clearly in distress and had to go off , later diagnosis said an injured abductor muscle and at least five weeks side lined. Ortola took over between the sticks and a second goal in injury time put some welcome distance between the teams. Dani Gomez made the run into the box, Gijon half cleared and Joselu struck the rebound for his fourth goal in four games since arriving from Real Oviedo. Djurdjevic powered a header at Ortola to open the second half, the replacement keeper was equal to it and gathered the ball with ease.

Good interplay between Dani Gomez and Joselu hinted at a blossoming partnership but Dani fired straight at the goalie. Nahuel sliced a shot over the bar and Ortola made the goalies union proud with a smart save under pressure. Coach Baraja could see his players batteries running down and opted to sit back on the lead by bringing on Undabarrena for Joselu. As the home pace slackened, Luis Perez showed some speed down the flank and dropped in a tempting cross that the Gijon keeper plucked out of the air. Alex Muñoz for Nahuel was another safety move but it didn´t prevent a Pablo Perez goal as he slipped in between Alberto and Sipcic and finished smartly.

Tenerife did enough to play out the final seven minutes to keep them just above the relegation zone. The next few hours added to the upbeat mood as the club rejected a 2.5 million euro Girona offer for Luis Milla. The January transfer window was a positive one for Tenerife, Joselu has settled into scoring form, Daniel Lasure from Zaragoza had a steady home debut at left back, and late arrival midfielder Javi Muñoz from Alaves, and centre back Lluis Lopez from Espanyol are waiting in the wings. Trimming the wage bill, the club farmed out top earning shot shy strikers Malbasic (to Cadiz) and Naranjo to Lanaraca of Cyprus.

Overcoming a 10 th minute SD Tenisca goal, CD Marino surged back for a 3-1 win to move three points clear at the top of their Tercera Division group. In the process they leapt two teams from the island of La Palma, as Atletico Paso had joined the level points summit with a win the previous evening. It could be an omen, a prophecy, or simply a fitting reward for another strong team performance in Playa de Las Americas.

The large inter island following of Tenisca fans vented their anger at the referees decisions, but their team should have built on a well struck Agoney goal after 19 goal top scorer, Dani Gomez, showed his play making side by winning the ball with his back to goal before passing. Marino are good at reeling teams in and started to find their shape and purpose. Roy picked out Nicki who set up a Nami shot that the visiting defence covered. Jorge Gomez threatened for Tenisca but Lopez was being closely shadowed by Diego.

As Roy got more involved, Marino started to pressure the white shirted visitors. Ahmed was drifting in from the left and Nami got the better of Cardenas to force a couple of corners that came to nothing. Agoney slipped his chains and let fly a good shot that David controlled at the second grab. It was a good open game as the teams tested each other. The swirling wind that had blown the subs dugouts over pre game, made high crosses difficult to predict and Oli made some important interventions for the blues. Ahmed managed a few wide strikes but Marino needed to put more direct pressure on goalie Garate.

The half ended in frustration for Tenisca as Chus fouled  Samuel with a high trip, his booking was quickly doubled up to a second yellow and he was off, his team mates and supporters were incensed but the decision stood. That put the pressure on Tenisca, Cardenas served them well with some tight, calm defending. Charni should have done better with his wide shot but there was better to come as after good work from Ahmed, Charni was fouled in the box and Javi Gonzalez  scored from a penalty to put Marino level. Jorge Gomez went close to answering with a shot past the Marino post but just three minutes later Ahmed got the goal his efforts deserved and Marino were in front.

Oli did well to bottle up Gomez as Tenisca sought a way back, a corner made little impact on the Marino defence and Roy went close again at the other end. Home sub Michael was making good headway down the left and left Cabezola trailing behind as he rounded him but couldn´t produce a telling shot. A third goal was needed to ensure a home victory, sub Santi Ramirez obliged in the 76th minute , latching onto a ball in from the left. Tenisca´s mood was not helped when the ref denied a penalty appeal for an Oli tackle on Gomez in the box. The La Palma side staged a late rally, Dani Lopez missed a good chance after Agoney and Cabezola cut loose but it was too late and Marino were delighted to claim the three valuable points.