It was a day of celebrations in Santa Cruz, the day of the cross, the anniversary homage to ex player Rommel Fernandez, and mothers day, but the only cards were two more suspension causing bookings as CD Tenerife snatched a late 1-1 draw with Lugo.

Scoring goals has become a problem, Tenerife created an avalanche of chances in the first half but were thwarted by a combination of good goalkeeping by Jose Juan, bad luck, and most of all, sloppy finishing. Lugo had the first pop at goal, Luis Fernandez tried a long looping shot that went out off the bar, then the spotlight fell on Diego Ifran in the home shirt. The ten goal top scorer fired three great chances straight at the keeper, the biggest waste was after a dainty lay off from Maxi. The bubble haired striker also fluffed his best moment when he was a tad slow and the goalie blocked the ball at his feet.

Lugo felt encouraged and launched a dipping free kick, thankfully Dani Hernandez took the sting out of it. Suso ensured the half ended goal less by trying to tuck his effort tight inside the keeper. The visitors had enough about them to cause problems, just after the break a fast raid down the left had to be cleared by Dani’s feet and their best forward Toni curled a long shot just wide. There was some frustration setting in to Tenerife’s play, home wins are a priority in their lowly position, Aitor Sanz cleared the bar from outside the box. Then came a bizarre let off for Tenerife, a loose ball near the goal line was half cleared by Moyano and bounced wide off the startled head of Toni.

Change was needed, Juan Carlos looked poor and made way for Cristo Martin and it briefly perked up the blanquiazuls. Diego did the hard work by chesting down the ball but again his shot ran true to the grateful keepers gloves. Raul Camara went off after a booking and with a view to his suspension next week, Hugo Alvarez came on and slotted into the centre of defence so Albizua could fill the left back role. Albizua has grown on me this season, he is a classy defender and showed his versatility with some strong interventions down the flank.

There was no faulting the 9,697 crowd, they didn’t wilt in the heat and kept up their noisy encouragement. Lugo had their own bizarre let off when a header down from Hector pinged around the goal mouth, clipping Ruiz and the goalie before running out of play. Aitor Sanz added another yellow card to his vast collection and booked his day off next week at Santander. With three minutes left a big Lugo clearance found Alvaro Pena and Ferreiro with just Vitolo to stop them bursting through, the Tenerife midfielders  attempt to halt them wasn’t enough and they played a one two beyond him to draw Dani  as Pena popped the ball in the net. To their credit Tenerife launched another attack and as Maxi went for the ball in the penalty area he was hooked over by Israel and Vitolo stroked home the spot kick for a relieved draw.

It’s all getting a bit tight with CD Tenerife just four points clear of the trap door and six games left, only two at home. I’m hoping for a few wins before we run out of time – and available players.

A 0-0 home draw is not always the best way to impress but lapsed CD Tenerife fans, lured back by ticket deals, were given plenty of encouragement as form team Llagostera were outplayed for most of this game. Both sides had clear chances and had good cause to thank their keepers but Tenerife hit the woodwork twice and squandered some sitters in an entertaining game.

Abdon Prats started his first full game with Diego Ifran consigned to the bench amid worries about his fitness. Dani teased us all with a little juggle of a Pitu shot just after kick off but it was just a blip and the defence was in top form. Up front Maxi was his usual hustle and bustle but couldn’t quite wrap his boot around a soft 20th minute shot. Llagostera have rampaged through the lower divisions and showed a no nonsense style based on a strong defence built around man mountain Alcala, quick breaks, and a willingness to shoot on sight. Former home forward Juanjo got a generous welcome but didn’t really shine, Rios was keen to exploit the left flank but Moyano did a superb job on him.

Vitolo missed the last game because of his fiery temper but it was good to see him back displaying his fiery tackles, he’s a born competitor. When Llagostera did break through Dani was resolute, a strong clearing punch on the half hour made a commanding statement. Abdon Prats is slowly improving and got into good positions only to waste two decent chances, the clearest being a firm header wide. Carlos Ruiz added his effort to thee search for an opener but Sergio Leon gave the visitors the closing attempt of the half, Raul Camara and Dani combined to see off that danger.

Abdon showed his worth as a provider early after the break, he fed the ball to Maxi but he didn’t find the target. Modest beginnings and a surge of promotions has brought Llagostera many admirers but they tarnished that image with some farcical theatricals. Samuel deserved a gold medal for artistic impression when he squirmed and rolled like a speared pig after Suso brushed past him. Tenerife were going all out for a goal, Suso did a sweet lay off to the overlapping Moyano, a sharp defender just about snuffed it out. Cristo Martin replaced the subdued Juan Carlos, Llagostera put a free kick high and wide, and Suso made stopper Rene scramble to clear his close range prod.

The 10,475 crowd were urging the ball to hit the back of the net, Aitor Sanz could only find the roof of the net with his in swinging corner as the game ticked away. Diego Ifran took over from Maxi and Aridane lumbered on for Abdon, Diego looked fairly sharp and gave the visiting defence plenty to worry about as he shot at the keeper and forced a couple of corners. Goalie Rene joined the over acting club, dropping with a sudden leg injury and he really milked his spell in the spotlight. Back at the action Diego blasted the ball against the crossbar, Llagostera broke ending with a weak shot from Alcala straight at Dani, and Carlos Ruiz leapt to power a header at the bar. Five minutes added time gave renewed hope but it wasn’t to be and the draw was well received by the sun drenched stadium. The gap from the relegation zone is now six points, there’s more work to do in the eight remaining games and shooting practice will be high on the training agenda.

After gorging on the chocolate shell of the first half CD Tenerife had a touch of indigestion after a weaker second half saw them share the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Real Zaragoza. The visitors looked a good football side but their cynical fouls and a poor referee allowed them to grind out a draw despite ending with 10 men.

Dani Hernandez was barely back from international duty with Venezuela and didn’t look his usual sharp self but there was plenty to admire from Tenerife. They took hold of the game once William Jose had posted a first minute warning with a low shot to tickle Dani’s gloves. After that it was almost one way traffic, Cristo Martin was on good form and Vitolo ensured the midfield had plenty of bite. Suso conjured up a magic pass to Cristo that opened up the Zaragoza defence but his shot wasn’t enough to trouble keeper Alcolea.

Tenerife’s opener was a beauty, Aitor Sanz took a corner and floated the ball over the keepers outstretched hands so it hung in the air at the far post. Maxi is a real predator these days and was well placed to add a delicate header that hardly ruffled his crowning glory. The home defence was in a mean mode, especially Raul Camara who back tracked like a whippet and tackled like a rotweiller. Cristo went close again, this time slipping his shot across the goal before Zaragoza ended the half as they started it, with a shot that inched wide of the target.

Coach Ranko Popovic must have lived up to his porn star name during the break by delivering an X certificate lashing to Zaragoza, they came out mean and nasty. Mario set the tone by upending Maxi and picked up a booking, the ref was already missing several other blatant chops. The visitors pushed forward, Cabrera fired a shot in that Dani Hernandez should have grabbed but he punched instead and the ball came out to Vallejo to score from an offside position. It was a cruel blow but Tenerife had to get on with the job. Juan Carlos replaced Cristo, his first touch was a long range effort that just cleared the bar.

Diego Ifran was having a quiet game and picking up a booking that will sideline him next match didn’t help his frame of mind. Mario continued his wild ways but made one lunge too many when he fouled Juan Carlos and was shown a red card, the resulting free kick was wasted. With the man advantage Tenerife swapped Diego for Aridane to push for a winner, he was soon joined by Abdon Prats with Moyano making way. The changes didn’t bring the breakthrough, Zaragoza held tight and stopped Tenerife players by the crudest means as the ref got worse.

Albizua had a half chance, Abdon Prats was marginally too slow to run through onto a good ball and time was ticking down. A draw was still a good result against the promotion chasers, especially after they fluffed a relatively easy injury time opening. Tenerife were far from happy with the ref and Vitolo let rip at him in the tunnel, his loose lip earning him a red card and a place in the stands with Diego at Alaves next game.

There were few highlights in a shocker of a game as CD Marino salvaged a home 1-1 draw against bottom placed, 10 man CD Laguna. The electronic scoreboard wasn’t working for the first half, it must have sensed the oncoming display of high balls and speculative long shots that had the meagre crowd wishing they could put their clocks forward a few hours early.

After the midweek cup game the forward line had a more familiar look with Nestor Trujillo and Balduino back in the blue shirts. Laguna had the first break and Marino were thankful for Mendy hooking the ball away from their goal. Pablo forced a home corner that came to nothing and early sub Kevin Castro made some inroads down the right flank but too often the ball was just hoofed hopefully up into the night sky. Airam saw a long shot clear the Laguna bar while at the other end Alberto was never really tested between the sticks.

Things got marginally better after the tedious first half, Javi Marchena pushed forward and delivered an inviting ball across the goalmouth but there were no blue shirts waiting to cash in. It wasn’t pretty to watch, the silence was broken several times by the frustrated slap of Marino coach Sosa Espinel’s hand on his dug out. The unthinkable happened after 58 minutes when Laguna had a rare attack and found the home defence napping, Kirian strolled though to score.

Finally Marino woke up and tried a more direct approach, Balduino nearly capitalized when Laguna keeper Edwin missed the ball. The visitors were now pinned down and the equalizer came from a slick move as Eslava chipped in the ball from the left of the box for Balduino to sneak in and beat the goalie for his 19th goal of the season. Marchena tried his luck with a rasping shot and Nestor tucked the ball in the goal but had already been called offside. The ref tried to encourage Marino by showing a red card to Airan, and the Laguna physio, with 10 mintes left, Balduino couldn’t get enough power on his free kick and saw the keeper save low down.

The blues defence tried to support the attack as they searched for a winner, Mendy rose for a powerful header but it missed the target. Lamine arrived from the bench in the final minute as a last throw of the dice. With the whistle poised at the refs lips there was a final shot at redemption for Marino as Javi Marchena had a clear sight at goal steaming in down the left. The shot was wild and so wide it nearly hit a ferry out at sea, that just about summed up Marino’s form on the night. Mensajero won the next day and jumped to the top of the group with Marino a point behind in second spot.
There were few highlights in a shocker of a game as CD Marino salvaged a home 1-1 draw against bottom placed, 10 man CD Laguna. The electronic scoreboard wasn’t working for the first half, it must have sensed the oncoming display of high balls and speculative long shots that had the meagre crowd wishing they could put their clocks forward a few hours early.
After the midweek cup game the forward line had a more familiar look with Nestor Trujillo and Balduino back in the blue shirts. Laguna had the first break and Marino were thankful for Mendy hooking the ball away from their goal. Pablo forced a home corner that came to nothing and early sub Kevin Castro made some inroads down the right flank but too often the ball was just hoofed hopefully up into the night sky. Airam saw a long shot clear the Laguna bar while at the other end Alberto was never really tested between the sticks.

Things got marginally better after the tedious first half, Javi Marchena pushed forward and delivered an inviting ball across the goalmouth but there were no blue shirts waiting to cash in. It wasn’t pretty to watch, the silence was broken several times by the frustrated slap of Marino coach Sosa Espinel’s hand on his dug out. The unthinkable happened after 58 minutes when Laguna had a rare attack and found the home defence napping, Kirian strolled though to score.

Finally Marino woke up and tried a more direct approach, Balduino nearly capitalized when Laguna keeper Edwin missed the ball. The visitors were now pinned down and the equalizer came from a slick move as Eslava chipped in the ball from the left of the box for Balduino to sneak in and beat the goalie for his 19th goal of the season. Marchena tried his luck with a rasping shot and Nestor tucked the ball in the goal but had already been called offside. The ref tried to encourage Marino by showing a red card to Airan, and the Laguna physio, with 10 mintes left, Balduino couldn’t get enough power on his free kick and saw the keeper save low down.

The blues defence tried to support the attack as they searched for a winner, Mendy rose for a powerful header but it missed the target. Lamine arrived from the bench in the final minute as a last throw of the dice. With the whistle poised at the refs lips there was a final shot at redemption for Marino as Javi Marchena had a clear sight at goal steaming in down the left. The shot was wild and so wide it nearly hit a ferry out at sea, that just about summed up Marino’s form on the night. Mensajero won the next day and jumped to the top of the group with Marino a point behind in second spot.

It was a very different line up for CD Marino in their Copa Heliodoro semi final first leg 1-1 home draw with Mensajero. Injuries robbed them of Sergio Aragoneses and Jonathan Sesma, while top scorer Balduino missed out through work for this mid week afternoon clash. Youngsters Jose Carlos, Djavan, and Alberto got the call up and the other Alberto continued his return in goal.

The missing experience looked like being costly against the big guns of the La Palma visitors grabbed a lead after 8 minutes. They broke down the left and a pass from Rayco found 14 goal Dani Lopez with space to tuck the ball in the net. Strike partner Yeray, no slouch with 18 goals to his name, had already warmed Alberto’s gloves and the pair looked ready to reap havoc but Marino showed fantastic defensive qualities from a tight midfield that restricted Mensajero’s creative play to a back four fortress with Mendy and Aridani outstanding in the centre. Just after the goal a three pronged assault threatened to expose Marino but Mendy coolly tidied up to stop the danger.

Captain Amado was doing a fine job in front of the defence and was full of confidence to come back and retrieve the ball before threading his way past Mensajero players as he turned the tide. Aridani found time to support the Marino forwards and wasn’t far off target when he smashed a shot at the reds goal. Pablo is always good for a darting run from right back and he helped to pin back Mensajero, Marino were now enjoying the best of the play. A Pablo cross tempted Djavan but he couldn’t quite get the killer touch to the ball. New boy Alberto nearly got a spectacular equalizer just before the break when he unleashed an overhead bicycle kick from outside the area.

Marino continued to keep a strong hold on the game in the second half but were very aware of the need to at least level the game. Airam replaced Alberto and added his power to the hunt for an opening. Javi Marchena pushed forward more from left back and the chances started to come, Mensajero were just hanging on. In a gamble Nestor was added in place of Amado and he went close to scoring a couple of times. Home goalie Alberto didn’t have much to do but showed his alertness when he claimed the ball cleanly after a red forward sneaked in behind the home defence. Javi Marchena had two powerful strikes repelled by the Mensajero defence and from a corner Nestor put pressure on the away keeper.

Eslava was the next blue sub, he filled a defensive role to allow Aridani to support the search for a goal. With 15 minutes left another Marino raid saw the ball come out to Airam whose well aimed header made the scores level. Ideally another goal was needed for the return leg but it just wouldn’t come, Airam had one last chance in injury time but after shaking off his marker his final touch deserted him. So it ended all square but Marino will be confident that with some missing first teamers back for the 15 April away leg they can book a place in the Santa Cruz final.

Slap and tickle, bangers and mash, drunk and disorderly – all great double acts but my favourite of the moment is Diego and Maxi. There was a goal each for them as CD Tenerife saw off Osasuna 2-1 in Santa Cruz to make it six games without defeat.

Much was made pre game of the return of former scoring hero Nino but he was kept quiet by solid home defending. A few weeks ago we couldn’t score for love nor money (I think we only tried one of those incentives) but now it’s so different. Diego Ifran has found his sharpness in front of goal and Maxi Perez was amazing again, covering so much ground in front of goal and fighting for every ball. A wide effort from Sisi after 6 minutes showed Osasuna couldn’t be taken lightly but despite a regular threat from Cedrick down the left they looked blunt at close range.

Diego made good ground at the visitors far post only to see their goalie Riesgo tighten the angle well to squeeze him out. Suso and Moyano combined to open them up again but couldn’t find the net. Merino had a good chance for Osasuna but found that home keeper Dani is just as accomplished with his boots as with his gloves, he got a foot back to ball that seemed sure to beat him on the blindside. Let’s not forget Suso’s contribution to the forward revival, he is back to his hungry best and on the half hour cut in from the right but couldn’t get enough power on his shot.

Suso wasn’t about to be put off and surged through again, his sweet looping shot over the defence had their keeper flapping, he patted the ball down and Diego was on hand to fire it in the net for a 1-0 lead. The torrential rain got worse and in the break a few of us started to build an ark, thankfully it wasn’t needed so we could concentrate on enjoying the second half. The Uruguayan pair teamed up with Diego setting up Maxi whose shot flew across the face of the goal. These are troubled times on and of the pitch for Osasuna and they had little enthusiasm for the fight, even Cedrick fizzled out.

A second goal was needed, Cristo Martin, on for Juan Carlos, grabbed his chance to impress by putting in a strong run followed by a delightful cross from the left which Maxi met with a well timed header. The game looked over but a late penalty gave Osasuna some faint hope, Nino went down in the box after a tackle from sub Cristo Diaz, the spot kick was a soft decision and Nekounam stroked the ball into the net. The ref found four minutes of added time from somewhere but it made no difference, the only bad aspect of the latest win was the poor 7,308 crowd, they missed another well drilled, professional performance from CD Tenerife.

Team form has been a little brittle lately for CD Marino but striker Balduino is having his best season in the blue shirt and took his tally to 18 goals to fend off their determined 10 man opponents Santa Brigida with a 3-2 home win.

The visitors from Gran Canaria were more direct and always looking to test Sergio Aragoneses while Marino always wanted one more pass before letting rip. Just seven minutes into the game Santa Brigida broke and with some good passing got the ball through to Trujillo who skillfully juggled the ball to beat the advancing Sergio. Winger Javi Marchena was playing at left back and his speed going forward was starting to pressure the yellows, a second trip on Javi resulted in a free kick that wasn’t far shy of the bar.

Marino could have succumbed again when Alvarez flashed a shot across the face of the home goal but this was answered with a quick break that released Nestor, goalie Raul managed to take the ball off him and winded him at the same time. It had the makings of a well matched thriller but the balance changed after 18 minutes when Raul clattered Airam to the ground and got sent off. With no back up keeper on their bench, Fermin was volunteered to go between the sticks and there was a tense wait as the sub donned the shirt and gloves. Balduino wasn’t ruffled and stepped up to beat the replacement to tie it at 1-1.

Javi continued his good work after the break forcing a hasty defensive clearance and setting up Nestor for a half chance that the rookie goalie took well. Marino couldn’t make their man advantage count and never really put the second keeper under pressure, Santa Brigida were still game and Trujillo drew a full stretch stop from Sergio. Marino went close as Nestor’s diving header caught the ball a little low and sent it over the bar. The referee seemed a bit clueless at times, during one Marino attack there were two balls in the penalty area and when a visiting player loudly pointed out the obvious the ref booked him for dissent.

Kevin Castro came on for Barrios on the hour and inspired a speedy attack that found Balduino in the thick of the action and ready to head his team back into the lead. The attacking instinct was still strong in Santa Brigida and with another surge forward they got a penalty after Aridani was adjudged to have handled the ball. Carreno converted the kick to keep all options open for the closing 25 minutes. Defender and captain Aridani tried to redeem himself with a wild long shot and Kevin needed another inch on his leg to reach a tempting cross in front of goal.

There was only one man who could seal the win for Marino and that was Balduino, in the final minutes he was in the right place again to head another fine goal for his hat trick and his team’s salvation. With the win assured the blues managed another couple of late efforts, Nestor looped a shot high, and a Santa Brigida defender made a strong clearance just in front of his net. Once again it should have been much easier but the points keep piling up and Marino still sit two points clear at the top of group 12 of the Tercera division.

Lightning does strike twice, when it has curly hair and answers to the name of Maxi. The born again CD Tenerife forward executed an almost carbon copy of his goal at Las Palmas to see off CD Leganes 1-0 in a calima shrouded Santa Cruz. The win was a further triumph for new coach Raul Agne, faced with late selection problems he produced a winning formula.
Suspended Moyano meant a switch to right back for Camara with Albizua moving to the left after planned replacement Victor picked up a training knock. Hugo Alvarez partnered Carlos Ruiz in the centre and we all shuffled along a few places on the terracing just to feel part of it. There was a different look up front as well with Juan Carlos trying the right and Suso exploring the left wing, all this left Maxi with a central striking role just ahead of Diego Ifran, and he reveled in it.

Chuli, a Janaury target for Tenerife, had a speculative long shot in the first minute but Dani Hernandez is a formidable keeper to beat and started another impressive game with an easy take. The Suso switch worked well, there was plenty of encouragement down that side and Tenerife pinned Leganes down with a series of corners, Suso shot just wide from the last of the flurry. After a close call from Diego, Juan Carlos slipped a measured pass to cut out tree defenders and set up Maxi who pounced pulling the ball wide and rounding the keeper in style.

Maybe Tenerife eased off a little in the second half but a double substitution for the visitors ten minutes in gave them a boost and they were always willing to take a pop at goal when their chances arose. Juan Carlos departed for Cristo Martin and Suso was back on familiar ground on the right, he flashed a shot across the Leganes goal which Serantes did well to deflect away with an outstretched hand.

Eraso for Leganes sent a cross field ball to Velasco who let rip, his shot eluded Dani and pinged back off the post before being cleared. Raul Camara was alert to head a dangerous ball away just in front of the goal but Dani was inspired in goal. The home keeper greets high balls with more relish than a female giraffe and he produced a stunning late save arching his back to reach a shot that threatened to go in just under the bar.

Guarrotxena got a welcome run out for the last ten minutes in place of Suso, more options are opening up to the coach each week and it’s good to see him getting something extra out of the lesser used players. We should still have wary eyes on the relegation zone but there is belief among the fans again, Santa Cruz may have been a weather induced blur but the 9,504 left the game with a clearer vision of the last third of the season.

Two goals from open play in a 2-0 home win over Real Valladolid made for a joyous farewell to the Santa Cruz Carnaval – and raised hoped for the Canarian derby in pio land next Sunday. New coach Raul Agne must take a lot of credit for his tactical changes, including dropping out of form striker Aridane.

The shape of the team looked better, Juan Carlos Real started up front and interchanged well with captain Suso and that inspired their team mates to be more adventurous. Aitor Sanz tested goalie Varas in the first five minutes but Valladolid built well and looked a class side. Pereira, their small but nippy forward had plenty of tricks but proved to be the Carnaval clown. An outrageous penalty seeking dive earned him a booking and just two minutes later he was guilty of a blatant late trip that left the ref with no choice but to send him off with just half an hour gone.

Valladolid had to change their style and tighten their already mean defence, it made for an interesting contest as Tenerife were playing much more open football. Aitor Sanz picked up a booking to rule him out of the derby clash but he and Vitolo controlled the midfield to give a solid springboard for Diego Ifran. All level at half time with an upbeat feel among the 9.112 crowd, Tenerife came back out with a win on their minds. Suso was able to cut inside more thanks to Juan Carlos and his rasping shot wasn’t wide by much. Valladolid managed a few efforts but Dani was consistent as ever in goal and made his takes look easy.

The opening goal came from a flowing attack, Cristo Martin threaded through a gift of a pass for Suso to run onto in the centre and he latched onto it and slipped it past the keeper. It’s been good to see Agne continue to promote the rising young players, he brought on Victor Garcia on 80 minutes and he almost scored from his first touch, his run ended with a blast over the bar. The 20 year old was fast out of the blocks again when Diego Ifran laid the ball into his path, the finish was clinical and full of confidence. Quite a contrast for Sporting Director Serrano, his January signing Abdon Prats hasn’t been trusted with even a few minutes of action but Victor has burst through since the B team management signed him in the summer.

The Heliodoro was rocking again, the downtown bars were licking their lips at the increased trade, and most importantly CD Tenerife moved out of the relegation zone. The only sour note was the Sanz booking but defender Jorge and goalie Carlos should be fit for the short sea crossing to ensure competiton for a starting place.