There’s an old saying about keeping your head when all around you lose theirs. CD Marino brought it to mind as they killed off Mensajero with two classy late goals after four players were sent off following a skirmish involving both sets of players .
The 86th minute flash point didn’t change the balance of the game, Marino had already dominated, particularly in the second half, and could have built a commanding lead. The La Palma visitors are always in the promotion mix, and played their usual style of fast breaks down the flanks with big front man Victor the main weapon in front of goal. Kevin Castro tested Kilian in the Mensajero goal with an early cross that was a bit to close to the keeper. Vianney was a danger down the reds left side with full back Azael overlapping. Brandon was taking no chances in the Marino goal, when Victor was racing in for a loose ball the home keeper rushed out and cleared the danger with a strong, decisive kick.
Ahmed nearly unlocked the Mensajero defence with a neat lay off but Javi Gonzalez couldn´t quite connect to put in a shot. Javi was a real handful all afternoon, he breached the defence but fired directly at Kilian. Mensajero were a strong side but found their match in a hard working Marino team, and when the visitors looked to spring through for a shot, they again found Brandon alert and ready to dispatch the ball far upfield. Marino were taking more control as the game went on, Samuel stormed through from the left back slot but his effort was high and wide. A cheeky chip from Jony towards the end of the first half fell just a bit short for Gaizka, and Ahmed created space for Jony to put over the bar just before the break.
Just seconds after the restart, Javi pounced on a loose ball and raced past the Mensajero goalie as he side footed the ball beyond his reach for a 1-0 lead. Omar tried to hit back with a break down the right but Brandon was waiting with a clean take. Marino put the pressure on and lay siege to the visitors goal, Javi could have made a hat trick as he continually beat the defence but was foiled by Kilian. Even a double substitution by Mensajero had little effect, Samuel put in a teasing cross which Kilian caught at the second attempt. Ahmed was also unlucky not to get a better reward for his determined run through the Mensajero defence. Mylan came on for Javi with 15 minutes left and after a clash of heads with Kai, he followed up with a run across Kilian´s path as the ball ran out of play. Oscar chipped in with a few comments and the game was suddenly sizzling.
Brandon snapped up a deflected shot at the other end of the pitch but the action switched to the dug outs when Marino coach Zeben Hernandez reacted to a push by Oscar. Players swarmed around the sideline as the officials tried to calm things down, it all got quite heated and once order was restored the ref sent off Juanmi and coach Zeben for Marino, and Vianney and Oscar from the Mensajero players. Marino kept their composure and Ahmed spotted his chance, winning the ball and walking it into the visitors net.
It was a crushing blow to Mensajero and Mylan went one better as he weaved his way past two defenders and the goalie before adding a third home goal. Mensajero ended the game far from happy with the ref but credit to both teams for ensuring hand shakes were exchanged between both sets of players. Marino now sit just 3 points outside the promotion play off zone where Mensajero hold 2nd spot, the teams may well meet again at the end of the season.