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.