If I was paid a large sum of money I would wear pink flippers and a silly hat but it seems that footballers are harder to please. It was a nice surprise to get an invite to go and see Everton train at Tenerife Top Training in La Caleta and even the request to avoid close ups of their feet didn’t phase me, it seems they didn’t all have the boots they are paid to wear. Assistant coach Steve Round was good enough to give me a quick interview after training, a good mornings work I thought.

The clubs communication manager phoned me to find out more about where the article was going, apparently the winter break was supposed to be “under the radar” . Strange that within a few hours of ariving on Sunday night at their west coast hotel the players were out and about in Playa de Las Americas chilling and having fun. It was a bit of a surprise to get an email from T3 a few days later demanding I pull the photos from my Tenerife Magazine article, not because of dodgy boots but their bright yellow training bibs with a sports company’s name across the front, it appears it was another non sponsor.

Thankfully there were smoother waters the next day for my trip to La Gomera and bright and early I was on the Fred Olsen Express with a looped tape of Barry White playing over the tannoy. Pushing through the water with the Love Walrus crooning away the sun was hot and the sea calm and in 40 minutes I was off the ship in San Sebastian and into the marina next door to meet the crew of Row For Freedom, one of 17 teams in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge. Only four of the six female crew were there to greet me (the others arrived later) but they were even more lovely than in the publicity shots, I managed a quick interview before touring the marina to hear some of the amazing tales of determination and courage from the other rowers.

It’s a good four years since I set foot on La Gomera but it all came back to me quickly and I was able to scamper up to the mirador off the main plaza to get some panoramic views for photos and a short video of the trip. Back in the plaza I enjoyed a snack and a drink as I basked in the sunshine. Huge German cruise liner Mein Scheiff was in port and its passengers swarmed around the town, they even had cycle hire on board so a squad of about 30 bikers on identical bikes with matching helmets were sweeping around the square.

Going back past the repairs and stocking up at the marina and through the tunnel I emerged on Playa de la Cueva and looked out across the sea to a crystal clear Tenerife, a truly inspiring sight. A tall rock stack with steps hewn into the rock made a great vantage point to enjoy even better views, maybe Christopher Columbus had stood on the top prior to sailing for America. Back in the marina I met the other two equally lovely ladies from Row For Freedom as they all posed in new t-shirts. The rowers were a joy to talk to, so unassuming and all with great tales to tell, their enthusiasm at being cramped into small rowing boats for around two months on the way to Barbados was as bright as the baking sunshine.

Having crammed my notebook and camera it was time to get the 5.30pm last ferry back to Tenerife, it pulled out of port as a pair of rowers trained out at sea and the sunset that followed was just another reward in a day of highlights. Good luck to all the rowers for the off on Sunday 4 December, in the words of my on board friend Barry White “Your my First, My Last, My Everything”.

Brrrr I felt cold just watching CD Tenerife run out onto the mist shrouded pitch at Lugo, it was like the dawn of time but thankfully CDT had evolved after a few wobbly performances. This was much better against the joint leaders and without suspended Medina, Kitoko dropped into the heart of the defence and fit again Kiko started on the bench.

Perona threw down an early marker dribbling through the home penalty area before slipping the ball out to Marcos who shot wide. Lugo were always going to be tough to contain, it took a strong tackle back from Cristobal to stop an early break and that was soon followed by a looping free kick that just cleared the Tenerife bar. Chechu (below) looked hungrier this week, Zazo set him up for a strong run at the home defence that the keeper did well to block. Monti was the main Lugo threat and unleashed a long range effort after 20 minutes that missed the target. Then the opening goal showed what a good side Lugo are, they drew the Tenerife defence wide and a telling cross found the head of Belencoso as Cristobal stood rooted to the spot.

Tenerife lost their way for about 20 minutes, Monti had a couple of decent attempts, the first blocked by the cool and impressive Ayoze (above) and the second was high and safe. With the half ebbing away Bravo took off on a speedy raid and passed the ball into the box, Perona looked like he had missed his chance but scooped the ball up and fired it into the net with a lethal strike. The play switched to the other end with Ferran Tacon coming to the rescue scrambling the ball away from a Lugo attack.

Tenerife looked more confident in the second half, the paltry 2,500 crowd got frustrated and that filtered through to the players as the game wore on. Bravo forced a desperate home clearance after a strong run from Ferran but there was danger at the other end with a fierce shot that Sergio took command of. Tarantino came on for the quiet Zazo just before the best move of the game. Bravo danced through the home defence beating three players but couldn’t find a gap to shoot and laid the ball off to Tarantino who showed why he is a defender. Kiko made his return to action replacing Chechu who had been struggling after getting a knock. Lugo made a late double substitution to try to force a win and could have grabbed all the points in injury time, the ball was loose and dangerous as Lugo closed in, Sergio was brave and decisive diving in to push the ball clear to secure the draw.

There we were 2-0 up at half time, the sun shining, birds singing, fish leaping in the Atlantic – I think I even saw a rainbow over the gassworks at one point. Sadly we had been softened up by CD Tenerife, a flowing, skillful first half display against Celta Vigo B was followed by a dull, negative, and almost suicidal second half betrayal for the 8,198 crowd. Coach Calderon applied the shackles at half time and the team looked determined to sit back and wait for the final whistle, of course that led to lazy, sloppy play and Celta pounced.

Despite their lowly placing Celta looked a good side and could have taken the lead in the first five minutes, a goal dissallowed for a clear offside and another near miss just after. Tenerife took that as their cue to turn on the style, Ferran Tacon, playing just behind Perona up front, made a great run and delicately tucked the ball past the visiting keeper after 10 minutes. There were plenty of ideas going forward, Zazo was making good runs and both full backs were launching raids down the wings. Young Ayoze showed his inexperience with a defensive slip but Marcos Rodriguez mopped up nicely and fired Tenerife forward again.

Zazo had a clear shot at goal but blasted his effort wide with barely five minutes to half time, there was better to come though when Tacon did the hard work to leave Perona with a nice tap in for a half time 2-0 cushion. Even as we enjoyed our rare state of bliss at the break we knew that the best plan was to push for more goals against a side that has the worst defensive record in our section of Segunda B. The coach obviously thought differently and the transformation was ugly and uncalled for, I know we are not a pretty sight at the Grada Popular end but the players seemed scared to come anywhere near us.

Of course the inevitable happened, a solo effort from Albert reduced the arrears and had our nerves jangling. Time after time Tenerife players lost the ball and made terrible slack passes, Chechu (below) had one of his worst games, and Kitoko came on for Bravo to underline the defensive intentions. Tacon tried hard and was alert to run on to a high ball but slipped it just wide. The defense stood still as a Celta forward eased his way through and luckily for us curled his shot over. One of the biggest blows in the game was a booking for Medina that means the consistent central defender will miss the vital game at leaders Lugo next week.

German came on in the final minute, presumably the substitution was meant to run down the clock. Going into four minutes added on, German twice raced up to Celta’s nervy keeper forcing him to make panic clearances, maybe if he had come on earlier we may have got the killer goal. Celta will wonder how they didn’t get a late equaliser, hitting the underside of the bar only to see Sergio deflect the falling shot onto the post and wide as their players queued up. The final whistle brought relief but it should never have been that close. Coach Calderon can feel fairly secure in his job but the last few weeks has seen him struck off an increasing number of fans christmas card list.

Coach Calderon (below) made a point before this game at Toldo of saying CD Tenerife were going looking for the win but that didn’t seem obvious from his team selection. Kiko is a big man but the gap left by his injury is starting to look like a gaping chasm, Ferran Tacon seemed to have the job of supporting solo striker Perona and again it didn’t work. Sergio Rodriguez came in at the back for the suspended Tarantino but these days the defence is the least of our worries.

No television coverage again so my earphones were disturbing wax again. At least I had the FA Cup goal round up on ITV to give my eyes a reminder of how good it is to see the net bulging. Over in Toledo CDT had an early penalty appeal turned down, Sanchez apparently handling the ball. Victor Bravo nearly broke the deadlock after the half hour but no joy. Meji replaced new boy Sergio just into the second half and already the prospect of hollering goal and waking next doors cat up looked remote.

Chechu came close before making way for Ruben Rosquete making a surprise return from injury. I was hoping the Armada Sur party at the game might be able to inspire a win but even they couldn’t break the away win drought. German, a recognised goal scorer didn’t come off the bench until the 88th minute, hardly time to break sweat, and Zosmar was left at home again watching the Canarian equivalent of the Coronation Street omnibus. Zazo’s last minute attempt was met with dirision by the commentator so that was that.

You know what it’s like, your away, playing badly, not making an impression on the game but you sneak a 1-0 win – result or what. Sadly this 1-0 win over Leganes was at home and the 9,353 fans really deserved better than this half hearted display. Both halfs Tenerife came out flat with no drive or passion, maybe they thought lowly Leganes were easy pickings, a dangerous state of mind to adopt.

Captain Kiko has been the subject of a fair bit of sniping from some fans who question his contribution and at 34 see him as yesterdays man. The skipper was out injured today and boy was he missed, as a target man and aerial threat he still has plenty to offer and as a local born player with blue and white blood he inspires respect and shows leadership. Victor Bravo partnered Perona up front but he drifted wide a lot and with poor service and it didn’t quite gell. Luna and Kitoko also failed fitness tests and Ayoze (below) held his place in the centre of defence with Marcos taking the midfield holding role.

A cold start saw Leganes create two early chances, Cristobal (top pic) did well to hook one away and another went wide. Tenerife didn’t get near the visitors goal until 10 minutes into the game and Zazo had the first clear chance five minutes later with a header that was cleared. Chechu was having a quiet game even before he was pole axed and narrowly avoided a stretcher ride before being helped off for a few minutes treatment. Vincent Perez was buzzing everywhere for Leganes and Victor Fernandez was bearing down on goal, thankfully Sergio slid out to take the ball. A goal less first half looked like the best we could hope for but with the referees whistle poised for action Ferran Tacon set Perona clear and he ran the ball and finished coolly-phew that was handy.

The second half was little better, Nico replaced Chechu but the birthday boy and the drifting Bravo were getting in each others way on the left. Perona had a chance to make it 2-0 but Bayon intercepted well, German came on for Bravo (above) and played a more central striking role but went down too easily when challenged. With 10 minutes to go a Leganes free kick was struck low and hard through a scrum of players, Sergio was equal to it crouching low for a vital save. German had a late opening but Falcon the visiting keeper swooped to claim the ball. A win’s a win but it was far from convincing.

Grazing cattle, digging for buried treasure, or planting spuds, just what had SS Reyes done to their pitch for the visit of CD Tenerife? Despite a stampede towards goal all game CD Tenerife just couldn’t score and had to settle for a O-O draw although the gardeners nightmare of a pitch couldn’t be blamed.

With Luna suspended local boy Ayoze Placeres made his seasonal debut in the heart of defence with Tarantino at left back and Cristobal filling the right slot. Tenerife came out flying, Perona fed Kiko who turned and lashed a shot at the home goalie. Zazo looked sharp too trying a long lob that just went over the bar and giving second best to a defender a few minues later trying to pop the ball in at the post. Chechu Flores (above) got busy down the wing hurdling a few defenders before the keeper blocked him and Tacon put his long range effort wide. Very encouraging with Reyes hardly making a mark.

Cristobal slipped as Reyes woke up and mounted an attack, the defender recovered well and headed an attempted cross out of play. Bravo was on the bench again but Kiko was showing his worth with an ambitious back header while at the other end Medina missjudged the bounce of the ball but the incoming attacker fired wide. The last 10 minutes of the half were a little jittery as the Sanse side warmed to their task. During the break the groundsman planted a few more turnips and carrots but thankfully was stopped from bringing the chickens back out. Kiko opened the second half challenging the keeper for a high ball at the post, the stopper just came out on top.The big forward then showed his skill chesting the ball down perfectly with his back to goal to invite a Zazo shot that went wide.

Victor Bravo came on for Perona and was soon into the attack with a clear run on goal that the home keeper did well to smother. On came Nico for Kiko giving a complete change to the attack. Nico made a good chance on the right only to see Bravo’s shot find the goalie. A draw was looking the likely outcome but Sergio had a hairy moment in Tenerife’s goal, needing a second attempt to grab the ball with Reyes closing in on goal. Ferran Tacon (above) had the last couple of chances, skipping along the edge of the box and shooting wide with after a fruitless wait for support, in the dying seconds he went down in the area but there was no contact, no appeal and no score as the final whistle went.

So many good things to say today about a game that had everything, including the right result, 3-1 for CD Tenerife at home to Rayo Vallecano B. The crowd were whipped up into a patriotic frenzy with a fantastic home made terrace mosaic of the Canarian independence flag, following yesterdays celebration of its founding. That buzz seemed to infect the players as they started at a cracking pace with both sides creating chances. More changes saw Cristobal at right back, Tarantino left back, and Perona up front with Kiko and Zazo supporting in a four man midfield.

The shape looked good, Chechu Flores, fit at last, was hard working and productive and Zazo was always looking to attack the Rayo defence. The visitors looked one of the better sides to come to Santa Cruz, former Pio Rayco was a handful but Medina was a rock at the heart of the defence. The consistent defender squeezed a promising Rayo attack wide of the post after 20 minutes and a few minutes later Tenerife charged forward and a blatant foul on Zazo in the box produced a penalty. Thankfully Kiko has lost that little job and Perona calmly placed the ball in the bottom right of the net as the goalie dived the other way.

Chechu was alert soon after to pounce on a poor clearance by the keeper and his cross to Kiko deserved a better finish. Into the second half, Perona was having a personal duel with a visiting defender but that was leaving space for the other Tenerife players to exploit, Kiko (above) drilled a shot wide that should have increased the lead. Coach Calderon made a double change bringing Victor Bravo and Meji on for Chechu and Perona, it had an instant effect as Bravo smashed home a goal with his first touch of the ball. Just when it looked comfortable Luna got a straight red for a foul in the Rayo box, he was certainly the last defender and once a foul was called he had to go. Rayco stepped up to make it 2-1 and put the pressure on 10 man Tenerife.

Some quick juggling saw Kitoko drop back into the centre of defence, a role he always fills with assurity, Calderon made his last switch adding Marcos for Kiko and Bravo took the main forward role. Ferran Tacon (above)was in tormenting form down the right and chances were coming frequently for CDT. After 82 minutes Bravo saw his chance and shook off his marker to blast his second goal and kill off Rayo’s hopes. That didn’t stop Tenerife from pushing for more, Bravo came close to a hat trick lobbing the oncoming keeper but sadly he was offside. There was still time for a comedy moment as the ref reversed and tumbled slowly to the ground, off course we all gave him the utmost sympathy for his loss of face. At least his whistle was undamaged and he was able to blow for time to close a very rewarding and entertaining afternoon.

Travelling to Real Madrid Castilla, B team of Mourinho’s millionaires, CD Tenerife needed to be at their very best but this was like the bad old days, three goals conceeded in the 3-1 defeat, and six players booked. Most of this season is going to be a diet of mediocre opponents but there are a few that will be genuine contenders for the four promotion play off spots in this section of Segunda B. Castilla although a little cynical, wonder where they get that from, are definately one of the sides that have the quality to rise above the pack.

It all started so well for the near 200 CDT fans that made the trip, Tenerife were playing good passing football and Ferran Tacon and Kiko both went close in the first ten minutes. Victor Bravo tested the home keeper with one of his free kicks while at the other end Sergio Aragoneses snuffed out a long range Madrid effort. Disaster struck after 26 minutes when a penalty was given against Kitoko for hand ball, the replay showed he moved his hand towards the ball as it was heading out of the danger zone. Joselu stepped up to make it 1-0 and suuddenly Tenerife looked a shadow of the confident starters. Madrid seized the initiative, Sergio had to react well to stop Morata and Fernandez curled a clever shot just over the bar.

Into the second half and a defensive lapse saw the margin doubled, Juanera ran down the right and with Meji out of position Tarantino tried to cover but the home player played the ball past him and went on to put in a cross that Morata was able to tap in. Castilla had a half hearted appeal a few minutes later when the ball struck Tarantino’s hand just inside the box, thankfully the ref wasn’t interested. Perona missed a decent chance in front of goal just before Madrid grabbed a third, Joselu cut in from the left and unleashed a shot that Sergio seemed to have reached but it beat his outstretched hand and bulged the net.

Coach Calderon brought on Nico for Bravo and it perked Tenerife up a little, Ferran Tacon was bearing down on goal and fired but it hit a home defender full in the face. Perona tested home goalie Mejias but he was equal to it with a one handed save. Zazo (above) on for Marcos pulled a goal back with a well flighted free kick with 10 minutes waiting but despite an attempt by Nico and a late save from Zazo, Tenerife paid the price for a poor second half display.

Who? That’s what most people said when opponents Montañeros were mentioned but big names or not CD Tenerife still have to be professional and earn their victories. This 3-0 home win was a big improvement on the last two displays but there is still room for improvement, not a bad position to be in at this early stage. Coach Calderon likes to tweak and experiment with the full squad, sometimes irritating but with a season that may be stretched by play offs it should pay dividends in the long run.

Back came Kitoko into midfield to partner Marcos and Tenerife set off at a brisk pace against a very ordinary opposition. Kiko headed over after four minutes and as the Santa Cruz rain gave way to sunshine Tenerife carved themselves a rare early goal. Cristobal flashed the ball in front of the visitors goalmouth and Ferran Tacon latched onto it and found a waiting space just wide of the keeper. Herbert tried to hit back with a curled shot that Sergio held easily but the home keeper had a let off miss judging a bounce that came off his head, it was off side but still caused a flutter.

A second goal was definately needed and it came with a large slice of luck as Kitoko’s shot took a big deflection that fooled keeper Rafa making it 2-o after just 21 minutes.Perona looked a little lost out wide on the right flank but he still managed to have a pop at goal on the half hour mark. Montañero had their only decent chance of the half just before the break but Sergio cleared strongly with a two fisted punt. It could have been a worrying start to the second half as Tarantino got a yellow for a wild foul. Instead Tenerife pushed for another goal, Nico came on for Bravo and it was good to hear Luna get generous applause as he warmed up as one of the other subs, the fans agreeing with the manager that its time to move on from his dispute.

Ruben Rosquete replaced Perona and was straight into the attack, closing in on goal before being tussled wide by a defender. How about a nice set piece goal? No problem, Nico slung in a tempting corner and Kiko rose to head it into the net with some power. The game was just about over when Zazo came on for Kiko but he had a one on one race (above) with the goalie who stuck out a foot and just diverted his attempt away from the goal. A well deserved win to keep the pressure on Lugo at the top of the table and a pleasing 9,241 crowd went away with plenty to smile about.

Well that’s the unbeaten league record gone, a 1-0 morning defeat at Getafe B caught a few players lacking the fighting spirit, how they react will tell us a lot about the squad and the coach. It should have been at least an away draw, Getafe didn’t give Sergio too much too worry about in the CDT goal but with a penalty awarded to each side Getafe shaded it with a better spot kick.

Abel returned to the midfield and Rosquete held his place up front but had a quiet half a game before being replaced. Victor Bravo (above) buzzed all game, if his team mates had shown as much invention it would have been a stroll, he clearfed an early Getafe raid and forced a corner with a deflected shot off a defender all in the first 10 minutes. From a foul on Kiko the lively Bravo hit a testing free kick that the home keeper did well to tip over and he followed that up by forcing a corner from a retreating defender.

Then after 19 minutes Kiko went down in the box, stepping up to take the penalty he hit it low and soft and the keeper had an age to dive and save it. Tarantino and Meji got in a tangle at the other end and nearly let their hosts in for an easy chance just before Tarantino was judged to have handled in the area – it looked more like the ball hit him with the help of a flick off his leg. Tello took no chances and hit his kick straight and past Sergio. Bravo was off on a run again but forced wide couldn’t quite squeeze the ball to the waiting Kiko, he had two more attempts before the break, a long free kick the keeper saved and a duel with the goalie that the advancing stopper just got to first.

Some Tenerife players seem to struggle to compete for a full game, Rosquete made way for Perona (above) but he looked a bit sluggish as well, Nico replaced Ferran Tacon and offered support only in bursts. Ortuno could have made it 2-o but headed wide when clear through, Bravo still had plenty of ideas and set up Kiko but his header missed the target. Marcos was a dependable prescence in midfield but Tenerife lacked that spark to open up Getafe. Nico added a wild shot and a tame free kick to the mix and Kiko latched onto a Tarantino long pass only to be stopped by a dogged defender.

Sergio had the Tenerife fans twitching with a bit of ball juggling outside his area and Kiko closed the show with another shot that was easily rounded up by the home keeper. A frustrating defeat but it’s early days and a good home win next week will keep us in the mix.