At times frustrating, always entertaining, but ultimately a fair draw as CD Tenerife shared the home spoils 1-1 with Sporting Gijon B. After losing 3-2 in the away fixture and with Mr Reliable Inigo Ros suspended this was no time to ease off in the promotion hunt but Tenerife seemed to be already looking ahead to the play offs.

The big decision was who would replace Ros, coach Cervera went for Fran Ochoa but he proved to be a bit lightweight to fill such impressive boots and with Chechu having another poor game the midfield lacked bite and ideas. Moyano and Tarantino both made good defensive clearances early on as confident Sporting tested them out. Jairo looked a quality player for the visitors and easily knocked Moyano off the ball to create danger. Raul Llorente was in adventurous mood from the left back slot and combined well with Cristo Martin after 18 minutes to set up Aridane, the striker saw his first shot blocked but followed up to grab a home lead.

Jairo was full of threat and it took a strong body block from Sergio Aragoneses to deny him a clear shot. On the half hour Sergio got his fingers to a high effort that rattled off the bar. Guerrero blasted a shot wide but was back a few minutes later to head in from a corner and level the game. Ayoze could have closed the half by restoring the lead but his shot hit the bar.

Suso started the second half in place of Fran Ochoa and was his usual busy self, running at the Sporting defence. Aridane had the goal in his sights only to be denied by a solid intervention from Julio but Tenerife were struggling to take control of the game. Chechu’s departure was hardly greeted with surprise, Yeray took his place but still the supply lines were patchy and frustration was getting to Aridane and Suso. Chances did come knocking, Tenerife will wonder how they failed to score as Ayoze shot into the side netting from close range after the goalie slipped. Guillem replaced Cristo in an attacking gamble, a free kick almost caught the keeper out as he back peddled and slammed into the post somehow keeping his composure.

It was anyone’s game, Sporting made a real contest of it and had it not been for more classy saves from Sergio they could have taken the lead. Tipping the ball away from the roof of the net after a corner was matched by a robust two footed block. The 9,412 crowd had to settle for a point, it was a fashionable result on the day as stalemate affected the chasing pack. Now with just five regular games left the lead stays at six points, a play off berth is now guaranteed but there is still work to do before a chance to win promotion in the home and away final of the group champions.

Was it the Grand National course churned up by galloping hooves or a farmers field ploughed and ready for turnips? No, it was a very heavy pitch at Marino Luanco and CD Tenerife showed plenty of character to grind out a 1-1 draw, it certainly was never going to be a repeat of the 4-0 home win (below) earlier in the season.

It’s not always about silky skills, sometimes good old grit and determination are needed and in Carlos Portero Tenerife found the perfect player to inspire them. The midfielder signed in the January transfer window was playing only his third game in his new colours and his call up on the right was due to an injury doubt over Suso. Chechu took charge of the other flank and in between avoiding pot holes and divots had a steady game, his well flighted free kick after 17 minutes needed a high catch from the home goalie.

Carlos set about his task with relish and could have got a penalty after cutting in from the right before getting bowled over in the box – maybe he fell a little theatrically for the referees liking. A Chechu corner from the other side found Alberto’s head but the ball went over the bar. Mid table Luanco had their moments, Inigo Ros made a well timed strong tackle to clear the danger from Moises on the half hour. A few minutes later the home side went ahead, a neat chip took out Bruno and Tarantino and landed spot on for Chus to score.

The second half opened with a major scare as Chus beat Bruno, thankfully his defensive partners scrambled the ball away. As rain began to fall Moyano set Carlos away on the right and he forced his way past his marker to set the ball up for Aridane to claim his 19^th goal of the season. Sergio had a butter fingers moment when failing to hold a high shot but Alberto was on hand to mop up. The Tenerife keeper made amends a couple of minutes later when the ball emerged too easily from a scrum of defenders, Sergio turned the resulting shot aside at the far post.

Carlos was creative again when he fed a ball through to Ayoze but the young forward didn’t put the ball far enough past the keepers diving hands. Chus had a free header over Bruno but there was Sergio with another good stop, he followed that up with an equally good save from an unsighted curling free kick. Guillem came on for Carlos as Tenerife looked for a winner in the last ten minutes, Chechu dug out a loose ball and passed up field to the chasing Guillem and Ayoze but it evaded them. After last weeks game criticism focused on the right side of the Tenerife defence, Moyano added fuel to that fire when he lost the ball high up the pitch, Sergio charged out of his area to spare his friends blushes.

In the end the draw was a fine result and with Leganes losing it puts Tenerife six points clear with just six regular games left. Sporting B at home next week wont be a pushover and we will miss the suspended Inigo Ros (above) but it’s a hurdle that these Tenerife thoroughbreds should be able to leap.

What a great way to celebrate his 26^th birthday, Aridane banged in his first career hat trick and blew out the opposition to give CD Tenerife a thrilling 5-2 home win over Coruxo. The big forward doesn’t always get the praise he deserves but that’s 18 goals this season and he gets through a lot of work winning the ball, especially in the air, and taking the knocks to create space for his team mates.

The score made the win look easier than it was, stubborn Coruxo came from behind twice to level at 2-2 and it took the introduction of Suso after 62 minutes to break their spirit. It was a well worked team move that gave Tenerife an 8^th minute lead, Aridane won the ball and fed Ayoze who passed to Llorente who came steaming in down the left to tuck the ball inside the post. Sergio Aragoneses was alert ten minutes later to deny the visitors with a sharp save that his defence scrambled clear.

Tenerife were slack with their marking to let Coruxo back in just before the half hour, left back Pastoriza broke and with no one trying to stop him he fired past Sergio. His decision to jump the advertising hoarding and clench his fist to the crowd didn’t make him any friends. Tenerife looked for a quick answer but found Fernando on top form in the opposite goal as he made a confident two handed save that sent the sides in level at the break.

There were no changes in the interval, Ayoze merits a starting place now and showed why with a fine pass to set up Aridane who displayed his strikers instinct to score. Llorente tried to repeat his earlier success with another raid but put the ball wide but the team was ticking now and should have pulled away. Atunez got a free kick just outside the home defence but it was like a scene from Cowboy Builders as the home wall failed miserably to stop the shot getting through to make it 2-2. New blood was needed, Suso replaced the ineffective Loro and he instantly caused havoc down the right flank, unlocking the full back he put in a teasing pass that was just short of Ayoze. Tenerife pressure forced a corner and with Suso and Ayoze snapping at heels Yago turned the ball into his own net.

It was time to finish off the visitors, as Tenerife swarmed over them Ayoze hit the bar but Aridane was on hand to tap in a Suso pass to make it 4-2 to settle the nerves. Ayoze was having a great game he’s so unselfish for a player looking for his first senior goal. Aridane knew what he wanted for a present, not socks or a tie, a match ball was top of his list and in injury time Suso danced in from the wing and set the ball up for Aridane to crash home his third goal to round off a memorable match in front of 7,499 fans.

With a spring in their step and their tails up CD Marino made it three straight wins with a convincing 2-1 home victory over Real Aviles. Still smarting from a 0-3 home spanking by CD Tenerife last week Aviles must have been dreading a visit to resurgent Marino, and they had good cause to be wary. Even with Noah, Poncho, and Sean Wilkins on the sick list Marino were by far the better side and only a late penalty stirred the visitors into life.

It was nearly a false start for Marino when a loose back pass left them scrambling but goalie Alberto was on the case quickly. Then it was down to business with Balduino leading the charge at Aviles, their defence buckled and when the ball broke loose to Iker just outside the penalty area his shot was strong and true for a sixth minute lead. Rafa Hernandez made a well timed block at right back for Marino, he has settled well into that role and overlaps with speed to link with the attack.

Sandro is in a rich vein of form and he thundered down the right wing before delivering a teasing invite that none of his team mates could quite accept. Balduino is not always my cup of tea but he had an outstanding game working hard for his team mates, at time he had two defenders trying to shackle him. It was all Marino as the half went on, Airam put a shot wide and Aviles keeper Rebello was grateful that Balduino scuffed a clear shot allowing him to take the ball as it dawdled towards him.

The second half opened with more home pressure and a tasty move for the second goal. Chema chipped the ball over the defence, Balduino squared it across to Sandro and he tapped it in from close range. There was only one team in it, Aviles only answer to the runs of Chema and Sandro was to cut them down, the amount of hacking would have shocked Lord Leveson.

Aviles pushed forward and got a gift when Alberto pulled Geni down for a penalty that the midfielder converted. Suddenly the visitors found some urgency with 12 minutes left and put some pressure on Marino, Ayoze was his usual calm self in the centre of defence and alongside him Amado had probably his best game since being loaned from CD Tenerife. Confidence is a recently discovered ally for Marino, Balduino did some great interplay with Sandro to nearly repeat the second goal and then he beat two defenders down the right before shooting the wrong side of the post.

Aviles tackles were getting cruder than a box set of Frankie Boyle gigs and it was no surprise when Jeffrey got a second booking and was sent off. As time ran down Marino swapped Raul Barcos for Sandro and Ramses for Balduino and went all out for a third goal. Four minutes of injury time saw Aviles under siege before the whistle blew. On the way off the pitch Salva tried to vent his frustration on Raul Barcos but wasn’t even any good at that. Bottom by only five points now Marino know the big test comes with a return to away action next week, but at least there is hope.

CD Tenerife kept their five point lead at the top after a 0-0 draw at Getafe B, another clean sheet and four points from two successive away games will do very nicely.

What a great performance from CD Marino, this 2-0 home win over Salamanca only told part of the story as they played with passion, determination and bags of skill. Some of the 40 or so visiting fans were dressed as bananas (having a pop at us I think) but by the end of the game they were left looking very green and past their sell by date.

After last weeks away win Marino came out fired up, Sandro was tearing into Salamanca, swapping wings and cutting inside to take on anyone in his path, and Iker was further forward than usual to give support to Balduino. Salamanca arrived with outside hopes of crashing the promotion play off party but they were given a torrid time, Chema crunched Fuster to a halt and captain Airam showed a similar no way through attitude to Piojo. Former Tenerife flop Igor led the Salamanca attack but he is still just a big waste of space.

Airam tested Piojo down the left and won a free kick, Salamanca were giving them away like confetti. Balduino looked sprightly up front and the service was good from all quarters, Chema skinned Salamanca down the right but they scrambled the danger away. Alberto had few worries in the home goal, big centre back Angel had the best chance close in and found Alberto alert as he blocked the effort. Balduino grabbed a deserved Marino lead on the half hour with a delicate lob off the instep of his boot to the right of the keeper – dead classy.

From the kick off Salamanca broke forward and fired a ball across the home goal, it needed a helping hand from Alberto to ensure it passed by the target. Captain Airam got a nasty bang on the head after an accidental clash with De Lucas, he wasn’t out of action long, returning stitched up and bandaged and looking like an out patient from the Green Clinic next door. Marino had the scent of victory and five minutes from half time Sandro won the ball through sheer grit and passed to Chema, he made a nice lay off into the path of Iker who unleashed a long shot into the top corner of the goal, 2-0 and cruising. Airam came close to adding another, chesting down the ball and shooting, the keeper did well to hold on to it.

Marino relaxed a little in the second half, Alberto had to make a strong diving save and down the other end Chema was agonizingly close as his shot went wide. Raul Barcos came on as Chema departed to warm applause, Balduino was looking for another goal and had a couple of half chances before he gave way to Ramses. Sandro had a near miss after Pol had lost the ball in front of goal and Alberto had to make a couple of routine saves but Salamanca knew they were beaten, even the bananas looked limp. The final whistle brought an outbreak of shared hugs and hand shakes, it was a job well done and with Real Aviles at home next week the race is on to close the seven point gap and avoid ending in bottom position.

Could the day get better, of course it could, CD Tenerife were overdue a convincing performance but their 0-3 win at Real Aviles surpassed all expectations. The starting line up had another strange look with Alberto in midfield ( no Suso or Cristo) and Ayoze Perez playing to the left of Aridane. Both surprise choices worked well, Alberto gifted Loro a perfect pass after 22 minutes and he beat his defender to score. Ayoze showed he is much more than a goal scorer by sending a magnificent ball in for Aridane to double the lead with a header after 50 minutes. In the final ten minutes sub Chechu came up with a swinging corner to Alberto who struck the ball like an experienced forward to wrap up a 0-3 victory. The only bad point was a booking that keeps Llorente out for next weeks game at Getafe B, but Alvaro Cervera will have that one covered.

Two defeats on the trot doesn’t make a crisis for CD Tenerife but it’s a warning to sort themselves out before they throwaway their healthy lead at the top of the table. Self inflicted mistakes proved costly in this 1-2 defeat and Aridane enhanced his reputation as out main striker by not even playing. The suspended forward was missed for his physical presence and sheer nuisance value to opposition defences – and his 14 goals have been a bit handy too.

It was a similar story with right back Javi Moyano also forced to sit out the game, his replacement Sergio Rodriguez had a mare, he kept backing off when he should have been putting in the telling tackles. Guijuelo are in the relegation zone and Manu Moreira was the only player that looked to have any attacking threat, striker German and midfielder Abel both had to sit the game out as part of their loan agreement from CD Tenerife.

It was a very shaky start from Tenerife Moreira made a half chance and from the corner Aragoneses had to punch the ball away with Yeray mopping up after him. Alberto made a silly slip and was thankful to Llorente for coming to his rescue before Guijuelo could think of exploiting it. The visitors goalie Calvo looked strong and commanding in the air – maybe battering ram Aridane could have tested him. Tenerife wasted a free kick on the edge of the box, Suso chipped over and coach Alvaro Cervera called a couple of his players over during a break in play to presumably ask them what the hell their problem was.

Just before the half hour Guillem Marti put pressure on the Guijuelo defence after a cross from Llorente, Manolo got a touch to it and everyone froze as the ball sneaked in to the net with slippers on for an own goal. Time to take control, or maybe not, bad concentration just before the break proved costly as Rodriguez again dithered leaving Jaime Moreno to flight in a quality goal at the near post that Aragoneses flapped at instead of pushing it away. Cristo Martin raised hopes early in the second half with a decent free kick but Calvo was down on it. A neat back heel from Cristo set Llorente away but he flashed the ball wide, changes were needed. A double substitution saw Ayoze Perez and Chechu replace Guillem and Yeray and Tenerife showed some renewed urgency.

Chechu sprinted down the left and got close with his shot and followed up with a cross that carried on past the post and out of play. The killer blow came after 70 minutes, Llorente was caught out this time and Volero scored with from one of the few real efforts his side had on goal. Nico took over for Rodriguez but couldn’t make the difference, Alberto managed a header that the Guijuelo keeper took low down and in injury time Alberto had another fruitless attempt that went wide as Ayoze called for the ball. I was so angry by the end of the game that I almost had a Justin Beiber hissy fit but the soccer Gods bailed us out again as Leganes and Oviedo both drew leaving us five points clear and they go head to head next week.

In a season of more dark clouds than sunshine CD Marino played some bright football in the first half but although I braced myself to be soaked and whipped by heavy winds the storm heading for Tenerife didn’t arrive and neither did the home win that was there for the taking. A 1-1 draw reflected two teams with little to play for and not enough desire to force a victory.

Suspensions and injuries again forced changes onto Marino but after a couple of early openings for SS Reyes the home side took control with Rafa Hernandez making some good runs from the left back position. Balduino was the lone Marino striker but Aaron pushed up to support him and Sandro was nippy as ever. Gomez had a simple chance for Reyes but scuffed his shot before the referee awarded a harsh spot kick to Javi for a handball by Rayco – it actually hit his chest, thankfully Alberto repeated his penalty save of the previous home game to deny the visitors.

Sandro neatly unlocked the Reyes defence with a neat back flick and passed to Balduino who slipped on the greasy surface. After 20 minutes Marino fell behind to a fortunate goal, the ball fell to Ismael after a team mate had missed a swing at the ball and Ismael drilled his effort through a bunch of defenders to score. At the other end there was a hopeful appeal for a Marino penalty when Amaya clashed with Iker but the ref wasn’t keen. Just after a corner from Sandro was met by the head of Ayoze forcing Eladio to make a smart one handed save.

Marino got their reward a few minutes later when Pablo cut in from the right and picked out Sandro who finished with a crisp shot (below). Reyes came back, Alberto made another strong close stop and Amado cleared danger with a decisive header. Barcos had a half chance but the visiting keeper Eladio raced out of his goal to cut him off. Balduino needed more help up front but still skinned Amaya only to screw his shot wide of the target. The half ended with a crude foul on Sandro by Ramon which brought him a deserved yellow card.

All it needed now was a concerted charge by Marino in the second half, sadly the game slumped into a dour midfield slog. Poncho and Chema came off the home bench but added little to the struggle. Reyes were lucky when a poor clearance by the goalie wasn’t pounced on by the home players and Diego missed a soft chance for Reyes. Balduino was finding it increasingly hard to lead the line without much support, he powered through and put the ball across the goal mouth and his frustration was clear when the ball went begging. Alberto was having a quiet half, it was only in the final minutes that Reyes put any pressure on him, he of course responded with a safe pair of hands to ensure a point.

Not even one of the Armada Sur coaches breaking down at the southern end of our football pilgrimage could put a dampener on a 2-0 home win over Real Madrid C. A replacement was found swiftly and delivered us with the minimum of fuss. That’s so like the squad this season, injuries and suspensions are taken in our stride and there is always a quality replacement revving up on the sidelines.

Alberto Jimenez made a surprise debut in the centre of defence away last week so this was our first chance to see him up close and he didn’t disappoint. Big and imposing, the 20 year old looked a natural alongside Bruno, himself a new recruit from the B side this season. Strong on the ball and good in the air, Alberto was able to push up with everyone confident that Bruno would stay back and look after the shop. Loro was back to his best, hassling up front he forced an early corner and a few minutes later tried to dig out the ball from the Madrid defence to create an opening.

Much of Tenerife’s play was veering over to the right side leaving Llorente begging for service on the other flank but with Inigo Ros breaking up any budding Madrid moves in midfield and Suso cutting their defence to shreds the chances continued to come. After 28 minutes Loro floated in a perfect corner and Alberto rose high to head a home lead. Loro followed up with a good chance but was caught between a shot and a cross. Suso had his determined head on and after breaking down the right he charged in on the keeper but he just won the race to the loose ball.

Aridane was battling away and when Derick fouled him Loro curled a sweet free kick into the bottom corner of the visitors net, so much for the usual dogged first half. Yeray was on after the break replacing the booked Fran Ochoa, he’s another young gun that has fired himself into the reckoning. Cristo was unlucky to be pulled up by the ref when through on goal and a Suso cross and Aridane’s head forced a one handed save out of Sobrino. The young visitors have been climbing the table rapidly oveer the last few weeks but Tenerife restricted them and it was only the arrival of forward Mariano that finally gave Madrid a player that could threaten Tenerife.

Aridane gets through a lot of work, he fell awkwardly when covering back and jumping to defend, he carried on briefly but had to give way to Guillem Marti. Ayoze Perez got another run out as well, fresh from his two goal heroics for the B team in thee Federation Cup. Yeray tested the Madrid keeper and Alberto tightened his grip on Mariano to snuff out his enthusiasm. Guillem shot high late on and Alvaro resorted to fouling him to clip his wings and got sent off in injury time. Tenerife were never really troubled, the 8,651 crowd went home stress free and with the top of the table gap extended to eight points.

Sometimes it feels really good to be wrong, CD Marino fans arrived with more hope than expectancy as second placed Real Oviedo came to town but an inspired performance of determination, high drama and plenty of skill produced a memorable 2-1 home win.

Xavi Moore should have put Oviedo in front in the second minute but spooned his shot over the target. Alberto made some timely saves and I thought the first goal would open the floodgates but Marino had other ideas. Sandro looked offside when through on keeper Barrios but the stopper ran out and made a half clearance that fell to Balduino a good 30 yards from goal. Measuring his lob perfectly the striker sent the ball majestically into the net.

That stung Oviedo and they tried to hit back but found Alberto in dazzling form in the Marino goal, his handling was assured and he pulled off a series of energetic dives and a point blank stop. Sandro was dangerous wide on the right and was unlucky to be pulled up for a foul with the goal beckoning. Balduino was buzzing and when the ball broke loose in the penalty area he jumped in and was brought down for a penalty which he scored after sending the keeper the wrong way. Real were reeling 2-0 down after just 34 minutes and Balduino could have wrapped up a hat trick just before the break, he looked to pass when he should have buried his shot in front of goal.

Time stood still as the second half kicked off and Marino were caught on the hop as Hector Simon showed that he too could lob a ball, his target was closer and Alberto nearer his line but his accuracy reduced the arrears. Balduino had another good chance after 63 minutes when he turned and fired near the goal but Barrios made a strong stop. Oviedo thought they were back in the game when the ref harshly ruled that Dorta had fouled their goalie, Xavi More took the spot kick. Alberto read it brilliantly and dived to turn it onto the post, it pinged back along the goal line before being scrambled away.

Marino with Noah joining the attack, pushed for another goal as Mantovan continued to nibble at Sandro’s legs, eventually getting the booking he deserved. Four minutes of added time went slowly, Alberto again defied the visitors and eventually the whistle blew signaling jubilant scenes around the Marino team bench.

The result should have meant an increased lead at the top of the table for CD Tenerife but over in Zamora they drew 1-1 to reduce their advantage to 6 points. There was a surprise call up for reserve defender Alberto in place of Tarantino and he did well – another for the future. Yeray grabbed a Tenerife lead in the second half just after comingg on for Ochoa. A corner was glanced on by Aridane and Yeray had a clear header for his first senior strike. Zamora shared the points with a carefully curled shot from Sergio Garcia after 71 minutes.

Even beating Leganés with 16 minutes left I was thinking it’s not over until the fat lady sings but when the final whistle blew for a 2-1 win the big lass was joined by a human banana, several clowns, superheroes, and blokes in frocks, all belting their lungs out. What a great Carnaval game and a well deserved win built on strong defensive foundations.

Leganés had charged up the table to sit five points behind leaders CD Tenerife and were expected to be a tough test but Tenerife restricted them to few chances especially in the first half when Bruno and late fitness pass Tarantino were superb at the heart of the defence. Cristo Martin miss hit a 9^th minute shot to fire wide just after some tenacious tackling by Tarantino had broken up the visitors attack and just before Bruno made a perfect interception on Leganes hot shot Dioni.

Ruiz saw sight of the home goal but put his effort high and wide and Aridane was causing plenty of problems at the other end. Nico came on for Chechu after 25 minutes and Suso had a running battle with Vega who got booked for his clumsy assault on the Tenerife forward. Aridane had his own little friend Victor Gomez who just about managed to keep our man in check.

With the groundwork done Tenerife pressed more in the second half, Suso put an easy chance high and wide and Cristo Martin cut in from the right to put along shot over the goal. Corona made a good tackle to rob goal bound Aridane but Victor Gomez didn´t share his touch and was sent off after fouling Aridane for a penalty. The striker was denied when Falcon dived the right way and saved. A few minutes later Dioni finally got a clean chance after an error by Tarantino and he showed clinical finishing to take the lead.

Tenerife stepped up a gear and Mora fouled Aridane for a free kick on the edge of the box but it came to nothing. Cristo Martin was alert and plundered a crisp shot past Falcon after 70 minutes and the chase was on. Marti replaced Tarantino as Tenerife looked for a winner and from a break down the right Aridane belted in his 14^th goal of the season. Guillem should have made it 3-1 with just the goalie to beat but missed the sitter. The four minutes of injury time was agonizing as even goalie Falcon joined the attack but nothing was going to spoil the Carnaval party and the final whistle was met with an almighty roar of delight. Santa Cruz will be rocking tonight.