It must make a huge difference having the pressure off since being relegated, there’s nothing to play for but for us fans another win, this time 2-1 at Albacete, is that flicker of hope that we can burn brightly again next season. Coach Amaral had 9 players missing for this game, Ricardo, Sicilia, and Luna suspended and Mikel, Igor, Hidalgo, Kome, Melli and Dubarbier all injured, a perfect chance to blood 2 more home grown B team players. Ayoze came into the centre of defence and Moreno anchored the midfield, both responded well.

Shame on 2 of my regular Canarian bars in Los Cristianos that chose to show Barcelona rather than CDT, it made my enjoyment of the game very dissjointed, no such dilemas in Segunda B as away games will seldom be on television. Omar nearly made it a dream start a few minutes in but hit the post, Albacete didn’t have much to offer and with barely 2,000 in the stadium they weren’t going to get much encouragement. Nino has endeared himself to the fans with years of dedication and fire power but typically he is determined to finish this, possibly his last season with us, in a blaze of glory. Pressuring the home defence Nino won a penalty and conveted it with little trouble on the half hour. Of course it couldn’t be that easy, 5 minutes from the break Tato unleashed a fierce shot to level the scores.

Into the second half and Prieto and Bertran had half chances, Nino kept buzzing, and the new faces showed no signs of fading. It was a good move that won the game for Tenerife, Omar having one of his best games created an opening for Alvarez and the season long let down showed why we signed him by cracking in a crisp goal. Time for some more youth, German replaced Iriome just before Nino went close to increasing the lead. Albacete stirred a little and tested Sergio in goal with 5 minutes to go but the keeper covered it well. Fittingly Nino had the last word with another close effort but a 3rd win in 4 games showed that there is something to work on in Segunda B, it’s just a shame that the previous 4 coaches didn’t take a chance with the reserve players earlier in the season.

At 2-1 down to Valladolid at home and with Luna sent off it was looking bleak for CD Tenerife, we knew relegation would come this weekend but please not like this. But there is always Nino, how can such a little man be so full of passion and energy, he inspired a second half fightback that stirred the memories and voices of the sparse 6,150 crowd.

There was no hiding place in this game, players were left knowing exactly how the fans felt about them, captain Marc Bertran was roundly booed when his name was announced and abused throughout the game along with several other players. Valladolid had an early shot over the bar from Oscar but Tenerife were playing some great passing football and Nino was unlucky to see a rebound from his shot just elude Iriome. Dubarbier grabbed the lead after 16 minutes with a well taken lob from the left but then within a few minutes it all went wrong, Bertrans poor play was inviting raids down the right and Jofre set up Guerra to level. Then Luna got a harsh red card for a robust tackle on Sisi, Kitoko fell back into central defence but Bertran didn’t know what he was doing and Iriome had to keep back tracking to mop up behind him.

Oscar had Kitoko easily beaten but put his shot into the side netting, there was no let off though from a free kick for a hand ball on Bertran, another bad refereeing call. Sisi took the free kick well and beat Sergio to his left to give the visitors the lead. Another head shaking, hand wringing half time but changes for the restart sparked a recovery. Omar and Josmar trotted on for Alvarez and Dubarbier and added pace and spirit. Nino didn’t need much prompting, he seized the game and charged at Valladolid, when the ball broke to him he lashed it into the net with venom and defiance. A goal bound run stopped by an offside just made Nino more determined and when German came on for Iriome the pieces were in place.

The crowd sensed that a turnaround was on and roared the players forward, the winning goal was a taste of what might be to come for CDT. German turned on the style in front of goal and with an eye for the opening slipped the ball back to Nino to score his 15th of the season. For the remainder of the game it was like a dark cloud had been lifted, this was like the old days, Tenerife on top and looking good. The final whistle was greeted with the release of supressed joy, at last something to be proud of, just a moment in an awful season but one to savour.

And it came to pass that on Sunday morning watching the Tenerife B team lose at CD Marino, Nastic won their game to condemm us to the drop. These noon kick offs will become regular events next season in Segunda B but at least the emerging young players offer some hope. Sadly Nino may leave as his wages are too pricey for a semi pro team but he proved once again that he is priceless.

Like the stubborn Kit Kat in the vending machine CD Tenerife are still teetering on the edge waiting for the drop into Segunda B. Nastic had been expected to provide the nudge but with them losing again even this 3-1 defeat at Real Betis couldn’t seal Tenerife’s fate. What a frustrating night watching the Betis party in full swing to celebrate their promotion to La Primera, our own promotion is still fresh in the memory but how quickly that has turned sour.

Canal Plus did their best to wind up the Armada Sur fans gathered at the Royal Oak 2, they stayed with the Barcelona title winning celebrations and only cut across to our game 3 minutes in as a penalty was given against us. Former Pio Ruben Castro was brought down by Pablo Sicilia and the annoying little player stepped up and made it 1-0. Tenerife went into this game without the suspended Nino and had a makeshift attack of Iriome and B team star German. Betis threatened to roll over Tenerife, after 17 minutes another surge saw the CDT defence open up and  Molina set up De Salva to make it 2-0.

Strangely this seemed to inspire Tenerife and they played some of their best football, better finishing could have seen them back in the game. German got into a good position but hit his shot over the bar and Mikel forced a save from the home keeper when he might have been better laying the ball off to his team mate. Kitoko created the Tenerife goal slipping a pass to Julio Alvarez (pic) out wide, he timed his chip perfectly as the keeper rushed out in vain. Betis restored their 2 goal lead just before half time with a break that ended with Isidro slipping the ball under Sergio Aragoneses.

The second half was a quieter affair as Betis did just enough to hold their 3-1 advantage and Tenerife made chances but couldn’t convert them. Omar came on for the impressive German and Ricardo thought he had the home keeper beaten but the stopper made a fine diving save. Mikel Alonso headed over as Kitoko gave way to Juanlu and Alvarez forced a 2 fisted clearance from the Betis goalie. Even in injury time Sicilia had a half chance  but the Betis party was already cranking up and Tenerife are still 11 points from safety but now with just 4 games and 12 points left.

Sorting out my sock bag the other day I noticed that most were old, worn out and with holes in them, time for a clear out, I feel rather similar about this seasons CD Tenerife squad. At last we got a win with this 1-0 home victory over Recreativo but we barely deserved it, the last minute penalty looked quite generous and much of the game was bogged down in midfield and uninspiring, relegation has just been postponed for another day soon.

Half an hour before the game around 300 fans gathered behind the Tribuna stand to protest at the way the club has been run this season, weak management, and players that have shown no real passion for the club, as one of the banners pointed out, the fans are the only innocent party in all this mess. Some fans also boycotted the first 10 minutes of the game, I didn’t as I like to see all the action, it gives me something to moan about. The wide open spaces in the stadium were glaringly obvious and even when the protesters came in it still looked a poor crowd, the official 6,872 was quite a bit above what I estimated.

Never mind surely the players would respond to the protests by raising their game, alas not, it was another poor display that showed why we are hurtling towards Segunda B. Coach Amaral changed the shape and line up of the team again, Nino was alone up front again with Hidalgo playing just behind him and Omar and Durbarbier were supposed to be covering the flanks but kept getting sucked into the midfield swamp. Alonso started the game and showed some of the control we have been missing but mentally the Tenerife team are already relegated and it showed.

Sergio Aragoneses was the busiest player on the pitch, he came to Tenerife’s rescue with a string of classy saves, notably from Dani and Asen. Hidalgo got into some threatening positions but couldn’t score when he got the goal in his sight. Nino picked up his 5th yellow card of the season after 34 minutes, that will keep him out of the Betis away game and with Igor injured the forward options are pretty limited. Ricardo could have put Tenerife ahead just after half time but hit his effort high, Juanlu came on for Omar. The team was crying out for leadership, Marc Bertran has been a feeble captain all season and once again strolled around as if it was a training session, I did manage to get a photo of him marking a player, a real collectors item.

Durbarbier had also been booked and was replaced after 65 minutes to give German a run out. The B team striker looked fairly comfortable and is one of our hopes for next season. Sergio continued to impress and Hidalgo beavered away with nothing to show for his efforts. Kitoko was the last home substitution, I would have liked to have seen Josmar get another go, but the game was tailing off into a tame draw when German closed in on the Recreativo goal and was knocked over as the keeper charged out and cleared the ball. The referee was in a generous mood and awarded the penalty to Tenerife, Nino stepped up and placed his shot just beyond the goalies reach to give us an unexpected victory. The celebrations were flat and the mood downbeat, time is running out and most of these players are already history.

When I was younger (so much younger than today) I had a toy called Etch a Sketch, using buttons I could trace lines on the screen to make patterns or pictures and when I was bored of them I could shake it and the screen would clear to blank again – how I wish I could do something similar with CD Tenerife. This week was a 2-1 away loss to Granada, we didn’t play that bad, but we didn’t play that good, Melli was unlucky to get sent off but it was his own fault, we created a few good moves but had hardly any shots. It’s a familiar tale, we need a clean screen and now 14 points adrift from safety and just 18 points up for grabs from 6 games I’m ready to embrace the inevitable.

Yesterdays results, including an amazing 5-4 win for Salamanca, pushed CD Tenerife nearer the brink but the first half performance was pretty good at a soggy Granada, some crisp confident passing and an 8th minute lead. Julio Alvarez flighted a perfect free kick and Pablo Sicilia rose to nod it on into the home goal, Hidalgo nearly followed up with a 2nd but hit his shot straight at the keeper. Nino was playing as a left winger and cut inside well to set up Iriome, he should have done better but put his shot wide. That was the best of Tenerife, Granada came into the game and Lopez chipped over from an offside position and Bertran was relieved to see Ighalo pull up after an offside shout after the CDT captain had lost the ball upfield.

There was even some luck for Tenerife, just before half time Ighalo scored for the home team but the ref ruled it offside, Melli was clearly playing him on. Natalio came on for Iriome to start the second half Nino flashed a shot across the Granada goalmouth and straight after Benitez blasted a shot at Sergio that the keeper did well to parry. The turning point came after 59 minutes Melli got a second yellow card and was off, it was just a barge but the visiting defender had his hand raised and that swung the deal. Prieto came on for Hidalgo to plug the defence but Sergio found himself facing more attacks as Granada chased the game. A few minutes later Ighalo let 2 Tenerife defenders come at him before picking his spot and scoring.

The turnaround was complete after 79 minutes as Prieto (above) stuck his foot out to stop a defence splitting ball and turned it into his own net. The only good point from then on was seeing B team forward German make his debut with 5 minutes to go, he didn’t get to do anything but it’s another step for him towards leading the line in Segunda B next season. Ho hum another defeat, I’m off to play Ker Plunk.

I couldn’t have felt sicker if I’d scoffed a bucket full of creme eggs, this was awful, thankfully just 7 more games before we start kicking players out of the club. Yes we are sad and misguided enough to have still been hoping for an escape route before the game but a 1-0 home defeat to Villareal B underlined how far we have fallen.

It was a very weird day, both of our regular bars had been made over, the Oasis half way up the motorway are trying to go posh, new paint, new toilets, and even a stage. Then pre game in Santa Cruz I nearly walked into the wall at Mundo del Pans as the bar has flipped round to a new lay out. We had an Oxford United fan on the coach ( I’m Oxford City) he was booked to go on holiday to Syria and even had a game to go and see but the fighting out there forced a late switch. Even more bizarre we had a family of Leamington FC fans on the coach and their mob were playing at Oxford City so they gave me regular phone updates on the way to their 3-2 win – it’s a small world, but you wouldn’t want to paint it!

Anyway back to CD Tenerife, must I, the crowd was even lower than anticipated, 8,600 and big gaps in our section, there was none of the usual singing and chanting, it really spooked me. Of course the players would come out and put on a great uplifting display to rouse us all – would they hell. Coach Amaral again raided the fringes of the squad and brought in Aitor Nunez at right back and he did ok but there was no spark in the team again. We laid out the welcome mat for Villareal and they were able to bide their time as we gave a master class in badly organised schoolboy football.

Luna is never shy to get a booking and his 6th minute card led to him being replaced by Melli after 22 minutes, coach Amaral has so little faith in our defenders avoiding sendings off. As for action, it was pretty poor with few meaningful moves, Iriome tried to get things going up front but his control kept letting him down. Falque did for us after 32 minutes, a good break saw Perez on the right release the ball to him to calmly slot it into the net, it seemed so easy and once the scoreboard read 1-0 even the most fervent flag wavers were at half mast. Patience among the fans has been eroded beyond redemption for this season, the few pockets of encouragement joined in the overall feeling of despair and despite a half chance for Nino just before half time noone was expecting any improvement.

Omar made way for Natalio as the teams came back out, the overall pattern was the same though, Villareal were looking to end their recent run of defeats by killing the game. Iriome tried his luck with the ref after falling in the penalty area but the official wasn’t feeling any sympathy. Nino gave Dutra some close up verbal after some heavy blocking but even he looked demoralised. The only real interest now is spotting who might be worth keeping for next season, Josmar is the big hope and once again he looked lively and full of tricks when brought on after 66 minutes.

The last 20 minutes dragged, early leavers missed the rain, the rest of us saw a late Natalio effort and the sight of the players trudging off without a backward glance, let’s hope it was guilt and embarrasment. Just one point in 27 tells its own story, Segunda B is not what any of us want but at least we might see some committed performances again, the club must be wondering how crowds like this and smaller are going to keep us going.

The torrential rain didn’t matter, walking down the hill into Los Cristianos I was in my own little bubble of sunshine thanks to the good news coming through my earphones, CD Tenerife were 2-1 up at Alcorcon. Sadly it didn’t last, the home side clawed their way back to win 3-2 and despite a fighting performance the drop still looks odds on.

Not being able to see away games on TV is something we may have to get used to if CD Tenerife drop into Segunda B, it’s not the same swearing at a radio, I’m sure people thought I had tourets. Anyway Tenerife gave a good account of themselves against one of the form sides, Omar had a chance early on but over cooked his cross. You can never rule out Nino and after 42 minutes he grabbed a lead from a corner, just 2 minutes later Alcorcon were level through a penalty for handball by Kitoko. Hopefully I will get to see footage of it at some stage, the radio commentator seemed to think it was a bit harsh, Quini despatched the ball into the net.

Into the second half and Julio Alvarez (above) came on for Omar and had plenty of fire in his belly. The eager sub laid on the ball for Iriome to restore the CDT lead after 55 minutes, time for me to attract more worried stares as I leapt and punched the soggy air. Mikel Alonso came on for Hidalgo after 67 mins, it’s been reported that the club don’t want to play him as it will trigger a contract renewal clause, maybe part of a game doesn’t count?

When your down you rarely get the breaks, Jeremy levelled the score at 2-2 after 75 minutes and for the first time I could hear the home fans sing. Juanlu on for Iriome was the last gamble by coach Amaral but with the minutes ticking away Quini plundered the winner. Another defeat but with rivals results being kind to us the damage was limited a little, home next week and us serial straw clutchers are ready to hope again.

The Grand National had just finished at Aintree but in Santa Cruz 22 cart horses took to the pitch and served up one of the worst games we have witnessed, and we have seen a few stinkers. In their defence Huesca came for a draw and probably couldn’t believe their luck to go away with a 1-0 win, CD Tenerife have no such excuse. Would another change of coach make the blanquiazul players suddenly care? We believed it could, we needed to believe but ultimately it has always been down to the players and they just don’t have the heart or the balls for the battle.

David Amaral was the last desperate throw of the dice, a hero in his playing days at the club, his 2 spells as coach had not been a great success but the man from Arico is bursting with passion for Tenerife and his Mission Impossible was to translate that into the players. The new boss did try, he brought back Bellvis in the problem left back slot and juggled the starting line up, Josmar was on the bench and hope was in our hearts. Once the whistle had sounded the sorry tale unfolded, Huesca were the most negative side we have seen, time wasting, diving, and play acting, and the referee just let it go. Those are just minor quibbles in the overall scheme of things, it was down to Tenerife to go out and grab the game but no one had any ideas or drive, long balls were easily snaffled up by the big visiting defenders, Nino hardly got a sniff.

Ricardo was back at his uninspiring worst, Captain Careless Bertran was making unforced errors and showing as much leadership as a stick of celery. Bellvis did ok at full back and Omar at least tried to make some openings up front but Nino looked drained by his lone role and Iriome just looked poor. Neither goalie had much to do in the first half, it really was dreadful to watch. Back out for the second half and there was no real difference, Nino managed to make the Huesca goalie produce a save and Amaral brought on Igor for Iriome. Tenerife couldn’t even break out of their half for 10 minutes and a goal looked inevitable, Camacho laid on a tempting pass and Jokin headed home but no one was laughing.

Josmar came on for the final 12 minutes and showed again that he deserves much more playing time, his nifty footwork and direct approach is always going to cause problems and when Echaide hacked him down in the dying minutes he got a second yellow and was sent off. Many of the 13,573 crowd had given up before the end and left, the rest of us were angy and frustrated but not surprised, with just one point in the last seven games the grave was already dug. Bookings for Prieto and Bertran will sideline them for the next game but it would be nice to see the old guard dropped and some of the B team given a run out. If the first team were racehorses they would be on a one way trip to the glue factory.

In normal times this 1-1 draw at relegation rivals Nastic would be a decent point but these are not normal times, CD Tenerife are plumeting towards relegation and wins are what’s needed. It was a better showing and ended the 5 game losing streak but the damage has been done progressively through the season.

We moan about decisions going against us and our luck but once again a red card was recinded in the week, this time Ricardo was cleared to play, Sicilia covered for Beranger at left back, his red stood, and Dubarbier returned in midfield. It could have been a disasterous start as goalie Sergio Aragoneses sliced a clearance but Bertran nipped in to mop up the loose ball. Tenerife looked fired up and eager to go for goal, Nino was sharp as always and even Natalio was getting in good positions. Kitoko emphasised the new spirit by stealing the ball off Nastic and setting Natalio (below)Â free but he blasted his shot wide.

Tenerife scored on the half hour with a clinical move, Ricardo won the ball in the air and nodded it on to Nino, the busy forward shrugged off 2 markers and tucked the ball wide of the keeper into the corner of the net. Things were looking encouraging, Dubarbier hooked a shot just over the bar and Nino forced a great save out of the home goalie. Just before half time Tenerife let in a sucker goal, Felipe placed his shot past Sergio after Ricardo and Prieto had both missed tackles on the supplier Alex it was a cruel blow after a tigerish first half display.

This Tenerife side doesn’t react well to setbacks and although they showed willing in the second half the spring in their step was missing and the old errors started to creep in. Campos had a free header just after the break but his soft shot went to Sergio. Coach Tapia wisely replaced Dubarbier after 54 minutes, he had a yellow card and was pushing his luck with some of his challenges. Campos put another shot over the Tenerife bar and Rey had quite a personal duel with Sergio, the Tenerife stopper kept the upper hand. It wouldn’t be a Tenerife match without a red card, Luna seems to attract bookings like a magnet but he can feel unlucky to be sent off as both his yellows came from innocent tackles where the opponent made a meal, or rather a banquet of them.

Tenerife still had some fight and Natalio could have done better when blasting high over the home bar. Igor came on to up some punch up front but maybe 18 minutes from the end was a bit late. Sergio was kept busy, Eloy brought the best out of him and there was a let off when Kitoko got himself into a right old mess and lost the ball, Rey couldn’t take advantage and saw his shot blaze wide. The Tenerife players frustration was clear to see as they trudged off. The spectre of relegation still looms large but at least the draw and performance might take some of the sting out of the fans anger when Tenerife play Huesca at home next Saturday.

My eyes were witnessing the colour and passion of the Los Cristianos Carnaval parade but my ears were being fed the slow lingering death of CD Tenerife with the latest defeat, this time 1-0 at Elche. After watching the first half in town duty called for my Tenerife Magazine report, I’m told we played better in the second half and late red cards for Beranger and Ricardo were unlucky, sadly that just wont wash anymore we are plummeting towards an uncertain future in Segunda B and the studio talk on the radio was of another coaching change with either or both Marrero’s Martin and Christo coming in.

Salamanca had sent an encouraging signal in the morning with a 5-0 home to Valladolid but other results meant a defeat would leave CDT seven points adrift of safety. So it had to be all out attack didn’t it? I couldn’t believe how slow, timid and deep we were early on, Prieto (above) and Luna were the centre back pairing after last weeks double red cards but Prieto’s first touch of the game was a clumsy tackle-welcome back. Elche were on top and from a corner after 16 minutes Mateo rose unchallenged to head the ball in the Tenerife net. Omar had a good chance to level when free on the left but fired his shot wide of the post. Carpio kept up the home pressure forcing a strong save from Sergio and then missing the target. Ricardo had probably the best chance of the half as Tenerife finished strongly but the home keeper Jaime pulled off a superb save. Natalio set up Hidalgo who couldn’t finish and Nino was unlucky just before the whistle for half time.

The second half opened with a penalty claim by former Tenerife forward Angel after a Prieto tackle, thankfully the ref was not impressed. Nino was quick to pounce on a poor clearance by the goalie at the other end but failed to make the most of it. Angel in a good run of scoring form was keen to put one past his old team mates but hit his best chance straight at Sergio. Igor was brought on for Natalio and went close from a cross by an earlier sub Juanlu. Coach Tapia gambled bringing on Julio Alvarez forPrieto but there was no way back despite a late effort from Omar from just outside the area. There always seems room for a little more damage with Tenerife this season, Ricardo got his red card for a second booking in inury time and Beranger joined him a moment after with a straight red. The problems just keep mounting up as the games dwindle away, if the proposed players strike doesn’t close the league down next week Tenerife have to travel to relegation rivals Nastic with their latest red carders missing.

AFTERMATH – Reports say that Ricardo and Julio Alvarez came to blows in the Tenerife dressing room after the game and security had to be called. Who needs Eastenders?.