With the Santa Cruz thermometers popping in the mid 30 degrees, met office advice was not to do anything too energetic. CD Tenerife took this to heart with a low key, plodding display and lost 2-1 at home to RSD Alcala – saving them from relegation. Thankfully last day of season blues affected all our rivals for the opening play off round and mass defeats ensured second spot and Badalona away and home over the next two Sundays.

Suspensions forced changes onto CD Tenerife, Meji took over the left back spot from Llorente but the big surprise in midfield was a first start for local youngster Sandro, a few weeks after his brief sub appearance – it was an inspired choice. Just 9 muntes into the game Sandro took a free kick deep on the right and wafted in a perfectly weighted ball to the far post where Aridane was waiting to accept the gift header. This should have been the springboard to repeat the 4-0 away win but Tenerife were too casual and Alcala too hungry and when Kike lost the ball to Sesma he fed Alexander who charged at the home goal. Pablo Sicilia and David Medina parted and he raced through to tuck the ball past Sergio Aragoneses for a 1-1 scoreline, now it was time for us to really sweat.

It was all a bit untidy, Meji didn’t look comfortable at left back and without Kitoko the midfield couldn’t set the tempo for the game. Sandro didn’t get the ball laid off to him as often as he needed but when it was at his feet he delivered some incisive passes and crosses, Aridane was working hard up front but Perona was a little deeper and his goal scoring edge of recent weeks seemed rather blunt. Into the second half and Tenerife perked up initially, Kike had a good chance from a Perona cross but Juancho managed to cover his goal. Sandro got booked for a over zealous appeal for a penalty and coach Medina did the smart thing and took him off to avoid spoiling an impressive full debut. Zazo was his replacement but his fresh legs made little difference to Tenerife’s cause, Kike saw his shot bounce off the crossbar after Aridane had set him up, the big forward departed soon after injured, Kiko Raton was a natural replacement up front.

Alcala were desperate to save their Segunda B lives and pushed forward, Tenerife repeatedly failed to clear the danger and Alexander turned superbly in the box to fire home the winning goal after 74 minutes. The Tenerife players must have been aware of the other scores coming in on the giant screen, basically there was nothing to fight for, the final whistle saw the Alcala bench erupt with joy – a great result for them and for the 9.370 crowd it was a timely reminder that the hard work is just about to begin.

As if we weren’t nervous enough TV Canarias decided to share CD Tenerife’s vital game at Marino Luanco with badly timed link ups with Vecindario’s relegation battle over in Pio land. The blanquiazuls turned on a Grandstand performance as they grabbed a 3-0 win to seal the promotion play off spot and their quick, slick attacking play left the tv coverage looking more like Acorn Antiques.

It was an edgy opening, Tenerife looked like they had come to nail the play off spot rather than tempt fate and leave it to next Sundays final home game. Sergio Aragoneses made a powerul two fisted save from a corner 2 minutes into the game and Kitoko had to make one of his trade mark interventions to rob Rivas in a menacing position. Tenerife settled, Kike Lopez got into a good position out wide but ran into defenders when Aridane was begging in front of goal. Raul Llorente sent in a fierce shot but home keeper Ponzo was able to push it wide. The opening goal was well crafted.Chechu cut inside a full back and lobbed a tempting ball up for Aridane to rise and head it into the home net. Fans had to squint to see the goal in a little box our game had been squeezed into while TV Canarias concentrated on Vecindario – thank goodness for replays.

Sergio leapt like a basketball player to palm away a high corner and at the other end Kike Lopez let the goalie off with a low, slow shot that he easily gathered. Jony was the danger man for Marino, Sergio Rodriguez went misssing and he charged down the wing, Sergio Aragoneses did enough to narrow the angle and his shot flashed across the goal and pinged to safety off the post. Just into the second half it was Jony again, heading over and then setting Castano up with a neat free kick that he fired over the goal. Tenerife had more class than their hosts, Chechu (below) was the provider again fooling 2 defenders and slipping the ball across to Perona to make it 2-0.

Zazo had been picked in midfield ahead of Marcos and had his big chance a few minutes later but was foiled by Ponzo in goal. Play broke to the other end and Sergio made another great save, this time low and near the post. Perona is back to the lethal goal scorer he was in the first half of the season, he pulled the defence wide and stroked the ball past the keeper to make the points safe at 3-0. Rounding off a solid team display Aridane nearly doubled his tally but Ponzo managed to block him. A well deserved win, looks like my scarf wont be getting its annual wash yet – bring on the play offs.

Whisper it quietly but promotion is no longer a dirty word in the Heliodoro stadium, CD Tenerife bounced back to form with a 3-0 win as influential midfielder Kitoko came back from his two month injury. To be fair to new coach Quique Medina, his other changes played a big part as well in kick starting the promotion play off quest. Medina replaced Tarantino in the centre of defence and Sergio Rodriguez took the place of Cristobal at right back, the defence looked steadier and the launch pad was there to fuel the miss firing rocket Perona up front. Few of us fancied Aridane as a strike partner for Perona (below) but it worked and our leading scorer finally moved on from his 11 goal tally with an impressive hat trick.

There was a sense of urgency from the start as the visitors were just a point behind CDT, Kike Lopez and Chechu both made strong runs down the flanks and Aridane was snapping at the Oviedo defenders. Chechu set up Perona for a headed shot but the keeper was able to deal with it. A few minutes later Perona pounced on some defensive uncertainty to fire a crisp shot into the visitors net, Tenerife were ahead with just 11 minutes on the clock. Nano came close to levelling but hit a post and at the other end Perona saw his shot go just wide of the target.

Kitoko (above) was in control in midfield and Bravo was having a decent go at his latest role alongside him. Oviedo are no mugs and a quick break caight the Tenerife defence stretched, Nano closed in on the space in front of goal but his pass was wasted by Rubiato with the goal gaping in front of him. Aridane missed his chance with a header, Sergio made a stunning double save, a second goal was needed to settle the nerves. Just before half time Perona was the hero with a flying header that had the Oviedo keeper well beaten, perfect timing to underline the Tenerife revival.

The visitors looked more deterrmined after the restart, Diop tested Sergio and found him alert and strong. Zazo came on for Chechu who’s passses were becoming a bit slack. Perona was buzzing but Aridane was running out of ideas, Kiko replaced him to keep the pressure on the Oviedo defence. It paid off as Juanpa brought Perona down in the box and the rejuvenated striker stepped up to complete his hat trick. The usual confetti of yellow cards was missing but in the 83 rd minute Bravo went into the book and ruled himself out of next weeks away game at Marino Luanco.

The 8.895 crowd were lapping it up and the rift between them and the players was a distant memory. Cristobal was the final sub, taking over from Bravo and helping to guard against any late slip ups – goal difference may yet play a part in the play off picture. Kiko and Perona both went close in the closing minutes but the victory was well deserved and put a big dent in Real Oviedo’s own play off ambitions.

It’s all snakes and no ladders these days with CD Tenerife, this 1-0 away loss at Atletico B let the home side back into contention for a promotion play off spot and left CDT sweating on the final three games of the regular Segunda B season. There can be no complaints about the result, Tenerife were again shockingly poor with no attacking threat and a bumbling defence that escaped time and again before letting in the killer blow. A win for Real Oviedo sees them snapping at Tenerife’s heels for that vital fourth spot, just a week before they meet in Santa Cruz next Sunday.

The team selection was again strange, no recognised forward just Luismi Loro pretending to be an attacker, apparently the idea was Kike Lopez would also play a forward role – I hardly noticed him. Gerard burst past Pablo Sicilia and Tarantino after 9 minutes and went down in the box appealing for a penalty, it may have been given if he hadn’t looked to be trying for it so obviously. Tenerife managed their first attack 5 minutes later, Loro proved to be no more than a minor irritation to the home keeper. Loro had another chance soon after from a good Chechu (above) cross but blasted it wide.

Tenerife looked half asleep and not interested, Atletico were no great shakes themselves despite being the form team of the division. They wasted a dangerous free kick with a soft shot that bounced gently into Sergio’s hands. Tarantino must be good at something – I will let you know when I find out – his defending was hopeless again, Gerard roasted him and only a great save from Sergio prevented a goal. Cristobal (below) managed to set up Kike in front of goal but he was so slow the keeper smothered the ball. At the start of the second half Feran Tacon headed the ball onto Chechu in space, his shot was pretty crisp but the home keeper matched him.

Sergio came to the rescue again, this time from a free kick, Perona replaced Chechu, and Marco got a booking that rules him out for the Oviedo home game. Sousa sent in a free kick that evaded both sets of players, thankfully Sergio was alert and the danger passed. Another warning came as Sousa ran at Tenerife, three players converged on him, Pablo, Marcos, and Tarantino but still he got a shot in, another rescue by Sergio. The goal was coming and sure enough Llorente timed his tackle all wrong and his leg was hurdled by a home attacker who played the ball in at the post leaving Sergio and his defence to scramble to clear it but failing dismally as Gerard bundled it in the net. Tenerife had nothing to offer in return, even bringing Kiko on for Loro failed to add any urgency and the game drifted to the final whistle, another blow to our promotion hopes.

A few months ago Sergio Aragoneses (below) could have worn pyjamas and a red nose, sung the Birdie Song, and dribbled the ball into his own net with Garfield slippers – and still be forgiven by the fans. These are troubled times for CD Tenerife and long serving goalie Sergio was booed and showered with abuse from the start of the 1-1 home draw with Lugo after being named as one of the main architects of the dressing room revolt that saw coach Garcia Tebar sacked last week.

Not the best of backgrounds for former B team coach Quique Medina to step up and try to steer a course into the promotion play offs. The hostility of the fans extended to most of the team, seen as mercenaries, although most mercenaries get paid, this lot have been relying on promises since January. At least Sergio responded with a defiant display in goal starting with a first minute fingertip save from a corner. The Tenerife team looked slow and lacking punch up front, Kiko was suspended and Loro supported Perona in attack.

The home defence was uncertain, Llorente had to make a strong headed intervention to clear danger and Sergio pushed away a long range effort from Quero. Manu had a clear route to goal before Pablo blocked him, from the corner Manu headed in but Sergio was there to punch the ball away. Tenerife set off on a breakaway with Feran Tacon bearing down on the Lugo goal, the keepers feet were equal to the weak shot. Marcos managed a weak looping shot, again the Lugo keeper hardly broke sweat. The visitors looked a classy well balanced side and at times seemed to be toying with Tenerife.

The half time whistle brought more derision from the 8,627 crowd and the game pattern continued into the second half with Sergio making a great one handed save. The new coach made his first change and it was aa bold one, giving B team midfielder Sandro (above) a debut replacing Ferran Tacon on the left wing. The 21 year old looked lively and sparked a couple of assaults on the Lugo goal, Kike Lopez put a great ball across the face of the goal and Belforti kindly turned it into his own net for a vital lead. Zazo took to the field in place of the disapointing Loro but Tenerife slipped back into their slow tempo and Lugo stepped up their game.

As Aridane waited to come on for Bravo in the 80th minute, Lugo pushed forward and although Sergio got a hand to the ball De Pita scored at the second atempt to level the game. The last 10 minutes was more about keeping the visitors from taking all three points and CD Tenerife hung on but needed two fine late saves from Sergio to ensure the day wasn’t a complete disaster. As the players left the pitch they managed a token effort at clapping the crowd but got an equally unconvincing response as a Siberian chill interupted the hot sunny afternoon. Thankfully 5th placed Real Oviedo, visitors to Santa Cruz in 2 weeks, lost and with an away game at 6th placed Atletico Madrid B next week, Tenerife are still masters of their own play off fate.

After narrowly swerving one iceberg last weekend the good ship CD Tenerife ripped straight into another with a 3-1 defeat at Celta Vigo B and coach Garcia Tebar felt the chill as he was pushed overboard. In the crazy world of CD Tenerife anything can happen and usually does, losing after being a goal up against ten men and Kiko collecting yellow and red cards in just 20 minutes revived last weeks crisis fever and Monday morning marked the latest departure.

It started so well,home player Warden got a straight red card after just 5 minutes and CDT capitalised with a goal after 8 minutes as Ferran Tacon set up Perona, the ball went in the net but was given as an own goal, coming off Vazquez. We’re not fussy how the ball goes in, that should have been the start of an easy victory but this is CD Tenerife we are talking about. Just after the half hour Jota levelled and 4 minutes later the sharp young forward gave Celta a half time lead.

Into the second half and just after Kiko had come on for Ferran Tacon (above), Jota wrapped up his hat trick, Sergio was again suspect with his positioning but the defence was having a nightmare. Jota is a hot property, he had been with the first team squad at Cartegena the previous night in a game that was abandoned after a linesman was felled by an object from the crowd. Anyway back to the nightmare, Kiko got himself booked and followed up soon after with another caution and was off, the 7th sending off for Tenerife this season to go with the storm of yellow cards.

As soon as the game finished the clock was ticking on Garcia Tebar, at least the club allowed him the flight home before sacking him. In comes Quique Medina coach of the B team, until the end of the season, or at least until he upsets our sensitive players. Our play off rivals all dropped points so the new boss goes into Sundays home game with second placed Lugo knowing we can leap over them – yes we sacked a coach with the team in third position? Bookies probably wont even give odds on what will happen next at CD Tenerife – the only thing we can rely on is the passion and support of the fans. Time for us to dig deep again as we usher in another new charge for promotion.

As the injury time winner went in for CD Tenerife at home to Toledo, fans and players surged towards each other on the touchline. There were embraces, cheers and an outpouring of joy, all it needed was the theme from Love Story to make it complete. Alas it was just a moment, prompted by sheer relief after another dire performance, rather than reconciliation, the divisions and problems still run deep at the club.

Coach Garcia Tebar wore his best dark suit, he could be forgiven for thinking he was attending his own funeral after reports that the club would sack him if the game ended in defeat. Panic buying on yellow cards set in weeks ago at CD Tenerife and most of the midfield was sidelined, Medina joined Marcos in the engine room but it left very little creative force. Perona returned up front but for much of the first half he drifted wide and interchanged with Farren Tacon.

The spark was again missing from the home side, long hopeful balls were never going to do any damage, especially with the pathetic Aridane as a target man. Perona had a couple of weak long shots but Toledo used a well worn plan by visiting teams to sit back and play off any breaks they got. The big Sanz was their hope up front but neither goalie had much to do in a depressing first half. Even the protests in favour of the coach over his mutinous players were half hearted.

The second half was a bit better as Tenerife created more chances, Bravo should have done better when controlling the ball with his chest only to lose control of his shot. Marcos unleashed a strong shot from distance but the keeper took it well and then Kiko came on for Medina to add punch up front. Rosquete came on for Aridane just in time to see Tarantino depart with a second yellow card. Kiko unsettled the Toledo defence and had a couple of half claims for a penalty as he was bundled over, Rosquete and Kiko headed wide and Perona hooked a shot over the bar.

Toledo took time wasting to new extremes with endless writhing from supposedly injured players, the keeper even sat down in his area at one point to draw attention to another squirming team mate. The 8,595 crowd was steeling itself for a bore draw when in injury time a lovely chip into the box found Pablo Sicilia who stroked the ball into the corner of the net. Three points, third place, and another game ticked off the countdown to the play offs, as silver linings go we will gladly accept that but someone needs to sort out the big dark cloud that still hovers over the Heliodoro.

Most people put their clocks forward on Saturday night but CD Tenerife put theirs back a year to the painful days of relegation football. Coming on the heels of the home surrender to SS Reyes this was a worrying 2-0 loss at the bottom placed team Leganes.

Kiko, Llorente, and Cristobal (below) were back in the starting line up but there was no real urgency and Tarantino got away with some sloppy marking thanks to a brave intervention from Sergio. The defence was asleep again when Toninoturned and chipped a shot justover the bar but he improved on that after 16 minutes when he spotted Sergio loitering on the edge of his box and chipped the ball over him and into the net.

Zazo was getting stuck in and needed treatment aftercoming off owrse in a clash with the home goalie but most players struggled to break sweat. Navarro could have increased the lead on the half hourr, his free kick only just cleared the CDT bar. The second half opened with the killer goal, Cristobal stood off his attacker on the right and was missing when Victor nipped in for a free header to make it 2-0. Aridane came on for Ferran Tacon, and Bravo for Marcos but it didn-t make any difference.

Sergio had to make a great stop with his legs after Tonino waltzed through the retreating CDT defence. Loro hand balled and was off for a second yellow, add to that yellows for Zazo and Kike Lopez and an injury for Chechu, that means the whole midfield will miss the Toledo home game. This was a terrible showing by a CDT side with one eye on the play offs and no pride in their play.

Expect The Unexpected should be the club motto for CD Tenerife. Once again we were set up to expect a convincing home win, this time over lowly SS Reyes but poor team selection, poor tactics, and a poor attitude saw our surprised visitors take a 2-0 win home with them.

An early evening defeat for Real Oviedo should have fuelled the desire of the players but apart from a reasonable first 20 minutes CD Tenerife showed few ideas and even less determination. Cristobal was suspended so Chechu filled the right back role, the out of form Loro started again, and Aridane (below) was the lone striker, top scorer Perona was again left on the bench.

Tenerife only had one real chance at goal in the first half and that was spurned by Aridane after he beat the keeper and had a free shot but he hit it wide. Reyes took their only chance well on a quick break, Tarantino was out of position in the centre of defence and Sergio got himself in a tangle with Llorente to present Portilla with a gift. Llorente had to be replaced after 33 minutes due to a muscle pull,Medina came on and slotted into a centre back position with Tarantino moving over to left back.

In the midst of all this the midfield looked weak and Marcos had a quiet game while Ferran Tacon was a passenger. Half times mood was as black as the night sky but CDT came back out with their headlights set on dim. Perona finally saw some action after 56 minutes but coach Garcia Tebar took off Zazo, one of the few players showing any hunger. There was another strange call when replaced Tacon, two players that have faded as the season has progressed – it would have been nice to see Kiko added to the front line to add some hustle.

Maybe there was a way back but Reyes slammed the door on that with Portilla netting from another breakaway. The 9,064 crowd was stunned and some of the fair weather fans tempted in with cheap tickets were tempted back out of the stadium. Kike looked frustrated as his low cross went begging after the visiting goalie fumbled the ball. It was depressing stuff, Perona picked up a yellow card that keeps him out of theLeganesgame away on Sunday. The only thing to cheer was when Sergio dribbled the ball up the field to clear it.

Maybe complacency is creeping in with Castilla out of reach at the top and our play off spot almost secure. This is the time when coach Tebar should be earning his wage by motivating players, momentum is a great weapon to have going into the all important play offs.

It was another giant stride towards the promotion play offs as CD Tenerife rounded off a fine performance with a 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano – they could even afford to miss two absolute sitters in front of goal. Sergio Aragoneses returned for his 200 th league game in Tenerife colours and with Zazo and Aridane starting the side had a good balance to it.

Sergio soon got a touch of the ball with a simple take in the first minute and although Roberto flicked the ball over the bar for Rayo seconds later, Tenerife dominated the first half. Zazo headed over and Pablo Sicilia forced a save after heading a Chechu (above) cross. Kike Lopez unleashed a long range effort that wasn’t far away but the opening goal after 16 minutes caught everyone napping. Chechu delivered a testing ball with Pablo offside but as the linesman frantically waved his flag the goalie only half cleared and the ball fell to Zazo who couldn’t believe his luck as the game froze around him, leaving him to tap it in the net.

Kike Lopez was getting lots of close attention and needed treatment after Owusu elbowed him in the face, Kike paid him back with a crafty dig a few minutes later. Rayo’s first decent chance fell to Mata who lashed his shot over Sergio’s bar. Zazo was everywhere and cleared well from a late first half home charge, Sergio weighed in with a strong punch clear just before the break. The second half was more even, that couldn’t be said for the fans, a contingent of around 100 blanquiazul were loud and proud all game.

Chechu has been showing in recent weeks just why the club rated him so highly, a perfect pass in from the right was made for Aridane but he put it wide. Tarantino joined the attack for a Chechu corner and tested the keeper with a powerful header. Mata should have levelled for the home side, he was one on one with Sergio but produced a feeble poke at the ball, an easy pick up for our bicentennial man. Tacon replaced the battered Kike Lopez and Perona relieved the clearly still unfit Loro. Then came the free invitations that Tenerife declined, first Tacon did the hard part skillfully chesting the ball down before wasting his free shot, then Chechu took the ball between two defenders but tried too hard to round the keeper when a little chip would have done the job.

Sergio had one personal scare as he committed himself at the near post but the Rayo player was also in wasteful mood. Into injury time after a home player got sent off for a second yellow, I was just thinking what a poor game Aridane had when he made a great unselfish move laying the ball off to the overlapping Llorente (above) who blasted the ball with the precision of a striker to seal the 2-0 win. Lots of hard work and determination from CDT, Castilla only drew so Tenerife have consolidated second place just four points behind the leaders. Wednesday nights home clash with SS Reyes can’t come soon enough.