Life is good on the other side of the tracks – especially on a Sunday morning. In this case I was surveying the vast spread of the Sunday street market in Santa Cruz, as it spread its arts, crafts, and collectables up a few port waves upwards to the La Recova market in the main crossroads where the new meets the old. Filtering up to La Recova full time market, I soon found myself in the company of wine gods, and two floors of refreshing food and drink.
Outside La Recova, the sculpted fishermen pushed their boat out under the arc entrance from the two floor, sun kissed all week shopping experience. La Recova has been a popular focal point since 1943, and always has something new to offer, alongside its proud history of show casing local food and drink. Bachus, the Roman god of wine was represented by three spirits that floated around the centre like they had just stepped out of a history book.
I was tempted by liquid refreshment of a sweet nature, as sugarcane was being crushed in a shredder before the healthy juices were served in chilled glasses. A notice proclaimed that the squeezed juice could encourage eternal youth – it might need a few gallons to turn back my clock. For something a bit more main stream, there is a very nice bar downstairs on the lower level. Promotions change through the year but you will find the market open dailñy from 7am to 2 pm.
Reality came crashing into CD Tenerife´s youth propelled revival as a harsh sending off saw a 2-0 leads turn into a 2-3 loss. Real Zaragoza are widely regarded as a certainty for promotion but Tenerife were all over them from the off. This weeks latest recruit from the youth ranks was Aaron Martin from La Orotava. The post had already denied the youngster, but just 11 minutes into the game, Aaron pulled the defence aside before burying the ball past the visiting keeper.
The home stroll became a balancing act after 23 minutes when a straight red was brandished at Sergio Gonzalez after he rose to meet a high ball in competition with a Zaragoza player. Both players were going for the deflected ball, but the yellow shirted visitor made a meal of it as he crashed to the ground, and the refs snap decision offered hope to Zaragoza. Five minutes into the second half, David Rodriguez exploited a gap at the post as the goalie dived, a two goal lead should have been untouchable but Zaragoza kept pressing and Bazdar exploited a soft part clearance from Salvi had pulled a goal back early in the half, they tapped into their experience and depth.
Tenerife were caught in two minds as to defend or push forward to kill the revival. Mental toughness and self belief can make a big difference, qualities that home coach Pepe Mel will be trying to instill in his young squad. Zaragoza pulled level on 78 minutes from a spill from Salvi. With just a couple of minutes remaining, Zaragoza pressed again and grabbed all three points. It leaves Tenerife at the bottom of the Segunda table with the danger of a gap opening above them. It´s gonna be another gruelling week on the training ground but youth is still the big hope, and Pepe Mel will fire his troops up for Granada away in a weeks time.