Confidence is oozing through the CD Tenerife squad this season, yesterdays 1-0 away win at Nastic (pic – home v Nastic) came from a magnificent all round performance, with sub Angel netting with his first touch of the ball. It’s good to see now that if a couple of players are below par, others raise their game and drive the team on.

From the kick off, Tenerife were all over their hosts, the defence was tight, Hector made another of his telling interceptions early on to clear a rare attack, and Kome and Hens were constantly probing from midfield. The Camaroon midfielder, Kome,  had the best chance, forcing a good save from the home keeper after a determined run.  The half ended with the far from busy, Aragoneses, making a full length flying save to ensure a blank first half.

Tenerife kept up the pressure in the second half and with Alfaro and Nino, not quite at their brilliant best, coach Oltra swapped Alfaro for Angel with immediate effect. Kome went on another run, took the ball wide, and floated in a hanging cross, Angel rose above a group of defenders to head the ball into the net with his tracksuit still warm on the touchline.

The referee tried to throw a spanner in the works, giving Ricardo a harsh second booking for handball, that reduced tenerife to 10 players, but they tightened their grip and defended strongly to repel Nastic. Aragoneses made another finger tip save late on, and even an agonising 4 minutes of injury time couldn’t shake Tenerife from their second place in the Spanish Second Division.

That’s 4 valuable points from 2 away games on the trot and the prospect of 2 home games in a row. Transfer window signing, Mikel Alonso, brother of Liverpools Xabi, wasn’t even on the bench, he will have to fight his way into the midfield. This was only the first game of the second half of the season, so we will just enjoy the games as they come – but you can’t blame us for thinking this might be the big promotion season.Â