Even the city that never sleeps might have stifled a yawn as CD Tenerife were the slightly better of two poor sides. Grinding out the 1-o win over Mirandes was encouragement enough for the colourful costumed, all singing, all dancing 12,419 crowd to celebrate the New York themed Carnaval that packed out the Tenerife capital city.
Tenerife started brightest with a shot across the goal face, but home goalie Soriano was soon earning his pay at the other end with a superb tip over that was bound for the top corner of the net. It wasn´t quite coming together for Tenerife, coach Ramis made two good changes at half time, adding the close control and vision of Alexandre for local youngster Teto. The first season forward has bags of enthusiasm and skill but still lacks strength and power and needs to beef up.Big front man Elady also arrived for Jose Angel Jurado.
Mirandes showed little ambition but produced a low shot from the edge of the box, Soriano showed he is the master of saves on the ground as well as in the air. A draw looked to be looming after 79 minutes until Vicente fouled Nacho in the box. The ref blew for a home penalty and waved a red card for the newly arrived Vicente. Hearts sank among the crowd as it was referred to VAR, but after several raw verdicts in recent games, the card was reduced to yellow and the spot kick was kept and duly converted by Borja Garces.
Not a classic win for such a special day, but very welcome. Tenerife are reportedly considering a contact extension for coach Ramis, although he has idicated that he will not make any decision before the dust settles on the campaign. Mo Dauda got his usal meagre 20 minute run out, and the two late January window signings Kike Salas and Riza Durmisi sat out a third game hoping for their debuts. There´s always a bit of head scratching after a Tenerife game, and there´s plenty of twists and turns left to see if Tenerife can edge into the promotion play offs from their 10th place at the end of this game.
Buffeted by icy showers, swirling mist and fog, the almond blossom still shone through. After dropping 10 degrees between Los Cristianos and the Tenerife west town of Santiago del Teide, it was good to see petals as perky as ever for the annual 10 km walk.
Between strong gusts and bright sunshine, it was clear to see that even two weeks into the month long pilgrimage, there were none of the carpets of dislodged leaves blooms around the tree trunks. A good harvest clung on as new buds slowly unfolded.
The splashes of rain dripped slowly off the hearts of the tree fastened blooms. Nature was showing patience and resilience, hundreds of walkers throng the sturdy, well managed paths during the festival, but numbers were only in dozens on this mid week mixed bag of weather.
It´s not all window dressing, large amounts of almonds are harvested across Tenerife, and from 28 January to 26 February, 18 bars in the municipality of Santiago del Teide, add almond influenced drinks and snacks to their menus.There are three walking routes of differing distances, the Tourist Information office in the church plaza of Santiago del Teide has full details of the Almendro en Flor paths, or you can check online. The longest route passes through the Chinyero shrine to the 1909 volcanic eruption of Mount Teide, that was stopped in its tracks when the statue of the Virgen was placed in its path – and hailed as a miracle.
I had hoped to repeat previous sights of the snow covered peak of Teide, but the wispy clouds ganged up on me as I entered the solidified lava field section of the walk. I was well layered up and lagged for warmth and had good gripping footwear for climbs and plunges along the paths. The finish of the long version takes a steep dive down into and then back up out of Arguayo, a small village with a very limited bus service back down to the main town.
A taxi from one of the few village bars is a good idea. I had done the walk many times including the tyarmac road up and out of Arguayo before it spirals down to Santiago del Teide but a cold rain lashed me this time as I descended. The 460 Titsa bus from Icod was an hour overdue (again) when myself and several other walkers, fresh from exploring the area, caught a Titsa bus down to Los Gigantes. I used this to link me to a bus on to Los Cristianos. Almond blossom walks still send my senses into overdrive. I guess I am just nuts about this versatile and tasty natural treat.
Whisper it quietly, but after 8 undefeated games and 7 points in the last three matches, CD Tenerife lay 9th in the Segunda Division.
Fifth placed Albacete Balompie were a good bench mark, comfortable on the ball and quick to pounce on any stray passes, they brought the best out of home keeper Soriano in the opening 10 minutes. Borja Garces continued his upturn in form, his skills made room for Gallego, and a clumsy foul allowed the big forward to stroke home his penalty after 13 minutes.
As expected, Tenerife sat back as Albacete woke up and looked threatening. Alvaro Rodriguez just cleared the home cross bar with a timely reminder that it wasn´t going to be a stroll. Maybe wearing the pink shirts in honour of World Cancer Day, or the monsoon rain that swept across the ground helped to focus the attention of the Santa Cruz side.
Tenerife had a solid look in midfield with Jurado in a holding role, and Jose Leon was solid in the heart of the home defence, covering for the suspended Sipcic. A rushed wide shot was the pick of the Albacete second half offerings, as CD Tenerife held their nerve and their advantage to the finish.
Tenerife only added two new recruits in the January transfer window, neither defence based arrival played a part in this game. Samuel Shasoua was missing again with injury, and Teto only made a fleeting appearance from the bench before the final whistle. Another suspension after an Aitor Sanz booking will also deplete the squad next game but Ramis often runs with a tight nucleus of players. Another ticket promotion produced a 15,000 plus crowd. Full marks to those in the uncovered upper stands who hung on as they took a soaking from the lashing rain.
