Early season injuries were not the biggest problem for bright and breezy CD Tenerife. Jesus Belza made his first senior start on the right, and 21 year old Las Palmas born Alassan added another 13 minutes to his growing tally late in the 0-0 home draw against Levante. Both blended in well, and revelation Luic Williams was like a commanding veteran at the heart of the defence.

However the game was marred by a schoolboy error from the referee after 5 minutes. Sergio Gonzalez had chased the ball into the visitors goal mouth and tucked it over the line but the official referred it to VAR for an offside and then disallowed it for being out of play when it got the final touch.

That would have sapped the spirit of many sides but Tenerife resumed their hunt and showed plenty of creativity against a solid but unspectacular Levante line up. Belza and Waldo worked the flanks well to encourage the spearhead Gallego. Roberto Lopez stoked the fire just behind the big striker, but again it was Alexandre Corredera making the team tick with his vision, hard work, and polished skills.

Gallego has a crisp shot denied by the goalie just into the second half, and his replacement Alassan snatched at a half chance that was covered by the vistors. The loud applause at the end of the home fixture showed that there is plenty of patience for the squad to bind together. Gallego signed a new contract extension to 2025 in the days after the draw, and similar negotiations are ensuring continuity. The biggest crowd so far, 19, 102, underlined that the fans are liking what they are seeing so far.

Not even the stiffling hot heat wave, the dust laden calima hanging in the air or the raised expectation level that had been steadily rising made this such a classic 2-1 home win for CD Tenerife over Burgos. It was the shear quality of home play right across the pitch, the passion of the 18,383 crowd, and a belief that anything is possible that propelled the Santa Cruz side to the top of the Segunda table.

Tenerife had to absorb a little early pressure but with goalie Soriano on top form, that was not a problem. Each game now there´s always another player making their mark on the supporters, Medrano showed his defensive alertness and an eye for a quick break from the left back position. Mo Dauda started again, and even with Angel on the bench, there was plenty of threat every time Tenerife surged forward. Just before half time though it was Soriano´s turn for a cameo role as he made a superb low save from a penalty after Mo Dauda had been sent off following a clash of heads and a second booking.

The only surprise of the game was it took 64 minutes to underline the home superiority. Medrano made a power run into spce on the left and teed the ball up perfectly for Roberto Lopez to leave the goalie high and dry. With home tails up, it took just four minutes to increase the lead after defender Mumo fouled sub Gallego, who cooly converted the spot kick.

Despite a late reply from Curro, it was a convincing victory with stand out performances in several positions. The squad is gelling together and their character has shone through in the last two wins after a heavy away defeat. It´s always a tell tale sign of the feel good factor, when neighbours are watching on from the high vantage point balconies outside the ground. Inside the Heliodoro we were sweating like chickens on a rotisserie but clucking happily.

For those too young to remenber his previous barn storming displays in the CD Tenerife shirt, Angel Rodriguez smashed two goals past Racing Santander. The visitors could not reply to the nostalgic blasts by the 36 year old from La Laguna, earning his team a return to second place in Spain´s Second Division.Coach Garitano also welcomed the re boot of the team after a 3-0 loss at Eibar earlier in the week.

Gallego led the line from the kick off, Alexandre Corredera was back in midfield as the creative spark with Sergio Gonzalez adding a hard edge alongside him. Waldo had the best first half chance for Tenerife, making space before shooting from the edge of the box. The Racing goalie reacted sharply to turn it aside.

Growing in confidence, Roberto Lopez hit his best form and went close with a wide effort in the second half. AS Tenerife pressed, Luismi Cruz made a dart down the right and was fouled in the box by the goalie Ezkieta. Angel looked confident as he strode up to the spot and cracked it past the stopper for a 63 minute lead.

Just a couple of minutes later, the big striker was at it again, latching onto a telling pass from Roberto before rounding the keeper. The legs may be a little older, but a teenagers spirit beats inside the confident veteran.

There were plenty of other helpful contributions from the white shirted winners. Mo Dauda added width and pace after coming off the bench, and goalie Soriano made a rock solid stop in the final minutes to seal a great evening for the 14,773 crowd.

Fuelling the pre match chat with moans about adjusting to the heat of Tenerife, Espanyol were reeled in by a cool, well organised victory from CD Tenerife. Espanyol are widely expected to quickly regain their Primera statuus but there was plenty of ambition and skill from the home ranks before an ecstatic 18,300 crowd.

The visitors tore into Tenerife from the kick off, asking lots of questions. The home side kept calm and soaked up the oncoming waves. Goalie Soriano was on top form, quick to spot danger and race out to make the ball his own. With just 16 minutes on the clock, the Espanyol goalie got himself in a muddle as the ball sat teasingly between his feet. Enric Gallego pounced on his uncertainty and burried the ball in the back of the net.

Tenerife grew in confidence, Waldo was again full of running and ideas, and Alexandre popped up all over the pitch to pose problems for the visitors. In defence there had been some discussion whether to keep faith with rising young centre back Loic Williams, however Amo got the nod and Espanyols breaks floundered on the back four.

There was a niggling feeling that Espanyol would step up a gear towards the end but Tenerife didn´t let their guard drop. The Tenerife squad is shaping up well, another youth product, Jesus Belza, got a short debut in extra time to continue the range and versatility of the squad. Now in third place, the Santa Cruz team have more to give and it´s a pleasure to watch them mature.

Armada Sur south based CD Tenerife fan club will always do their best to get supporters to the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez  stadium in the capital of the island. If coaches are full, tickets sold out at ground, or you just want to have a random look at the 23,000 capacity stadium (sorry no inside tours) and club shop, here´s a south to north route guide. If you want match tickets, try official outlets Papelaria Raquel in El Camison, Los Cristianos, or DNI Photo Studio, opposite the police station in Playa de Las Americas , close to Costa Adeje bus station and the slip road up to Siam Park. Open 9.30 am to 2.15 pm.

The green TITSA buses converge on the Costa Adeje (Las Americas) and Los Cristianos bus stations for 55 minute journeys to the Santa Cruz intercambiador three storey travel hub. The 110 bus goes from Costa Adeje but doesn´t stop at Los Cristianos, the 111 serves Costa Adeje but also skips Los Cristianos and takes about 30 minutes longer due to added rural stops, the 112 picks up at Los Cristianos but not Costa Adeje. A one way fare is 9 euros – cash or card when boarding, but an unlimited one day travelcard is just 10 euros, or 50 euros for 7 days movement (plus 2 euros for the plastic card) – you need to buy these in the bus station or from a kiosk before boarding. The card also covers the Santa Cruz to La Laguna tram system.

The tram picks up just outside the Santa Cruz terminal every 10 minutes and costs a standard 1.35 for any trip. The easiest call is the 5th stop of La Paz, turn left, and cross the bridge over the ravine, and left at the small roundabout to reveal the grand facade of the stadium and the nearby club shop a few strides down. If you want to meet up with the Armada Sur, we meet in the small lively plaza just down from the stadium. If its a late night game, the 10.25 and 11.45 are the best bets for a speedy bus back to the south.

Just add crowd for the buzz of a live match, but even empty, you still get a feel of the history and passion of CD Tenerife.

They came in large numbers to show their support, not just for CD Tenerife but also for the bomberos (fire fighters) who had tamed the raging wild fires. The small clutch of Real Zaragoza supporters among the 18,848 crowd left with a 0-1 victory that owed a generous intervention to the ref who tipped the balance with a harsh sending off for home forward Angel, barely 5 minutes after coming on as a late sub. There were still plenty of good indicators though that Tenerife have assembled a talented squad, and with a few days transfer window fine tuning remaining they can feel confident of adding to their opening two victories.

Zaragoza´s huge budget dwarfs the modest finances of CD Tenerife, but Tenerife showed more desire to play good football. The visitors had a negative style but strong first half shots from Waldo and a cross that flashed temptingly across the Real goal mouth, geve encouragement to the white and blues. Home keeper Soriano was alert to smother a long shot after a hurried clearance.

It´s still ealy days for new Santa Cruz coach Asier Garitano so he was still trying new combinations in his line up. By the later part of the second half, after a Jair goal, it was time to shake up the front line. Mo Dauda added width and trickery on the ball while Teto was lively and unlucky to see a shot canon back off the post. Angel came and departed in quick succession after the ref saw malice in a routine tackle. Nine minutes of play were added under the new fair play rulings, an added strain on a baking hot night. Theatrical play is still thriving, but now we seem doomed to see even more of it, as Zaragoza showed in the added spell.

The night was about bigger matters than just football, an auction of limited edition training tops helped to swell the fire fighting fund with a donation of 94,240 euros.

Unbeaten, full of hope, beer, and burgers, all things are possible in that dream land of pre season. The CD Tenerife players had just started taking tentative steps onto scales and hoping any out of term over indulgencies would not show. Meanwhile high up in San Miguel, the Armada Sur fan club were limbering up appetites and voices at Cho Pancho barbecue park.

Sandwiched between heat waves that teased at 40 degrees, it was a misty, low cloud setting that greeted our coach from the south as it cork screwed up steep, tight roads. The advance party had been busy since first light to ensure chilled drinks, a stoked up fire, and a liberal sprinkling of banners. These well maintained picnic zones feature in key spots around Tenerife, with sturdy roads for vehicles, but most of us enjoyed walking the last part to sharpen the anticipation. A party of just graduated young students were celebrating just above our welcoming hollow.

There were good reasons for the Armada Sur to look forward to the new campaign. The appointment of a new coach, generous season ticket prices, the return of some island born players, and five new signings to date, plus a much needed revamp of the Heliodoro stadium facillities.

The pine forest was a fitting setting for our pre season reunion. Armada Sur are entering their 31st season of supporting CD Tenerife, and still welcoming new friends all the time. Some well worn barbecue features had to be observed for our “nearest and dearest” rivals from across the waters. as we raised our beers and gave their mascot the warmest of welcomes on the grill. Bring on the season, more good times in the company of good friends…and hopefully plenty of wins. Vamos Tete!

Diverging destinations dominated CD Tenerife´s last home game of the 2022 – 2023 season. Coach Ramis is moving on after 123 games in charge, and 39 year old Carlos Ruiz ended his 10 year devotion to the heart of the Tenerife defence. A hard fought 2-1 home win over Burgos CF was a fitting send off, as Waldo and Mo Dauda showed glimpses of what could come next season. No longer a regular starter, the number 14 turned back the clock with a trade mark display of confidence and pride, and in the 14th minute the crowds prolonged ovation rung out.

Both teams were destined to finish just outside the promotion play off zone, even if they won both remaining games, but there was still business to be seen to. Burgos found home goalie Soriano alert during early breaks, but the role of party pooper went to Gaspar Campos who gave defender Mellot the slip after 40 minutes and grabbed the lead. There will be many summer changes at the Heliodoro, Mo Dauda has mainly had a late sub role, partly due to injuries, but taking over from Borjs Grces after 62 minutes, he pressed his claims for a bigger role next season.

Fast and strong, Mo squirmed and wriggled his way past the visiting defence and was unlucky to see his cclose up shot cleared. Coming back for more, the loan striker showed quick thinking to pounce on the ball at the post to level the game. The players showed they were keen to deliver the perfect result for their departing friends, Mo was in the mix again, allowing Waldo to cat another impressive game with an injury time strike. Despite drawn out deliberations from VAR, the goal stood despite claims of a hand ball bt Sergio Gonzalez. The final whistle saw Ramis hoisted into the air, and Carlos engulfed by appreciative players of both sides. The applause rained down from all sides of the ground as Carlos headed for the home goal for more cascades of thanks and admiration.

LAST ACT – A 1-1 draw at Real Zaragoza, at the end of the week, rounded off the season. Ex CDT player Mollejo pounced on a rare slip by goalie Soriano for a first half lead but Mo Dauda did it again with a superb injury time leveller from an acute angle past a defender and the goalie. CD Tenerife finished in 10th place in the Segunda and a few days later confirmed Asier Garitano as new coach. The players report back for pre season on 5 July, no rest for the club management though as strengthening the squad begins.

Promotion hot shots Levante UD froze in the Santa Cruz spotlight as all the action came from the hosts. As Gerard Butler filmed his latest  movie just down the road, CD Tenerife shook off their negative tag for their own all action show, and were unlucky not to create a bigger margin than their 1-0 win.

The home defence made telling contributions to the early pressure with right back Mellot and confident loan centre back Kike Salas pushing forward. Belief grew for the white shirts as the red and blues struggled to keep up with the home pace. Gallego dragged a shot wide and Mellot blasted a shot wide of the other post. It was looking surprisingly one sided for Tenerife.

After the break, Alexandre tested the Levante goalie before Gallego grabbed a 53rd minute lead with a powerful header from a Nacho cross, the forwards 11 th strike of the season. Brazilian forward Wesley, a former Aston Villa player, showed a little resistance but Tenerife always looked comfortable.

Both teams made wholesale late changes, Alex Munoz got a mixed reception on his return to the Heliodoro in an away shirt, while Tenerife gave more playing time to fringe players. Mo Dauda shone in a free central strikers role that allowed him to show off his delicate lay offs. Pressure is a big leveller, Levante were cowering below their promotion task, but Tenerife were unshackled with the faint relegation threat evaporated. Just three league games remain, a new coach waits in the wings, young players have been promised more opportunities, and the feel good factor is seeping back in.

No glorious ride into the sunset. More like a slow plod to mid table mediocrity for CD Tenerife. The visit of CD Leganes ended in a 1-0 win with hands making more impact than feet. Home coach Ramis had confirmed he would not be renewing his contract for the remaining five games and it added to the feeling of nothing to play for.

A Leganes hand ball foiled an early home raid, after the usual lengthy VAR discussion, Gallego stepped up to convert the penalty after 10 minutes. It was the 10th goal for the stocky forward, his previous strikes had already confirmed a contractual further year at the club. Some fans have been critical of Gallego, but there is a lack of team mates vying for his top scorer title, one of many areas that await the attention of the next coach.

Neither side showed much urgency but Karrikaburo came closest to levelling the score. Rearing down on home stopper Soriano, the striker was shepherded to a wide acute position in a superb master class of the goalies art. It was good to see Ramis giving second half run outs to Mo Dauda and briefly to Javi Alonso, both have something to offer the squad. Teto could have made the biggest impact, he clipped the crossbar soon after taking to the pitch.

It was a typical late season game from two teams in no mand land between promotion and relegation and hardly ruffled the feathers of the 11,000 crowd. Names of a new coach and incoming players are pinging around at the moment but just as important is to fight of overtures to the current best players. Waldo and Nacho are two of the more recent signings that have grown into their roles but the front line definately needs some new blood.