Mollejo was the only home player to relish the raft of changes made by CD Tenerife coach Ramis. The Atletico Madrid loanee was advanced from his usual midfield slot and got under the skin of the Eibar defence. Even so, he bowed out four minutes before the 0-1 finish after a rash tackle got him sent off.

Striker Elady was dropped to the bench and Gallego was still injured, that meant Sam Shashoua and Mollejo trying to form a goal alliance with some support from left back Pomares and midfielder Ruben Diaz. It was more clunky than creative and it took until the last five minutes of the opening half for Tenerife to show any teeth. Eibar were lucky to scramble a shot off the goal line and grateful that Ruben blasted high and wide.

Alexandre was short of his usual bursts of inspiration and along with Pablo Larrea was subbed at half time for Aitor Sanz and Michel, both more holding players than game changers. Eibar made their own double change and freed up defender Tejero to torment Tenerife with his inventive runs down the left. Home goalie Soriano punched away one of his crosses destined for an attackers head. Elady replaced the ineffective Bermejo on the hour and offered better options including a shot that fell kindly to the keeper after hitting a post. Mellot tried to screw a shot along the line and beyond the visiting stopper but the angle was too tight. Pomares had a clear target but shot into the crowd.

Eibar showed how it should be done as Tenerife pushed up, he lobbed a loose ball long and high into the home net to take a late lead. Coach Ramis reacted by replacing Pomares with fellow defender Alex Muñoz, an odd call for a team witht the game running away from them. A hard task became harder after Molledo was sent off, Michel added a booking in injury time, his 5th of the season, both players will sit out the next game. Bookings are a long term curse for Tenerife teams and very frustrating for the coach. After 11 of 42 games, Tenerife sit in 7th place and need to rewind to their early season form. Another bumper 9,348 crowd kept the vocal support loud and proud, they will be hoping Tenerife can exploit a run of games of lesser rated opposition.

Power up your magic marker and tick these off. Awkward lowly visitors, a suicidal home sending off, a brilliant in at the deep end degut from a local born youth player, and a CD Tenerife performance full of resilience and character. Newly promoted Amorebieta staged a late rally but found Tenerife in resolute form to seal a 2-1 home win in front of a 12, 572 crowd in Santa Cruz.

Coach Ramis again proved himself with the home line up. Jose Leon relieved Carlos Ruiz in the centre of defence and excelled while the old war horse rested his bruises and stitches. Enric Gallego was also rested after early injury retirements from the last two games. Alex Bermejo got a recall to support Elady and Sam Shashoua at the sharp end. Alexandre and Sam created early pressure but the green shirted visitors had their moments. A hanging cross could have been a problem if goalie Soriano hadnt raced across his goal mouth to claim the ball.

Elady was revelling in the main strikers role , he was shaep to tuck in a half chance after goalie Santamaria failed to prevent the opening goal as he fell awkwardly. The keeper had to be taken off and replaced by understudy Saizar. Tenerife were looking comfy until Mellot ripped the game open with a clumsy retaliation followed by plenty of verbals to earn a double yellow sending off. It meant a frantic seven minutes before the break. The French offenders natural replacement at right back, Shaq Moore was away on USA duty so Ramis gave a home debut to 21 year old David Rodriguez, he had a great game and made some timely tackles.

Nerves were still raw when a poor headed clearance from Sipcic opened the second half. A double change just before the hour saw Michel Herrero and Mollejo come on for Ruben Diaz and Elady. A wild high boot ftom an Amorebieta defender  led to a VAR penalty for Tenerife after 64 minutes. Sam was cooler than a Dorada from the fridge as he stroked the spot kick past the goalie. The breathing space was welcome but Amorebieta kept pressing and from a corner Etxaburi pulled one back for a tense final 20 minutes.

Alex Muñoz for Aitor Sanz and Sergio Gonzalez for Sam Shashoua rightened things up and it was Tenerife who had the best remaining chances. Mollejo streaked away down rhe right but launched his shot just over the bar. The depth of the home squad was yet another plus in a season that is promising so much. Still in 4th place, Tenerife will be looking for local derby bragging rights at Las Palmas next Saturday.

Carbon copy goals from Moreno snatched three points for visitors Mirandes, the final on the last gasp of injury time. Tenerife had looked to have done just enough thanks to a Michel Herrero penalty just before half time, but they needed a second half goal to keep the sparky visitors at bay.

Coach Ramis took some of the blame, bringing off the always dangerous Sam Shashoua to be replaced by extra defender Pomares with 10 minutes to go. A quick breakaway and Moreno sped down the left, rounded the home defence and slotted the ball past Soriano to set the nerves jangling, his late late encore followed a similar route and was the last touch of the game for a 1-2 Mirandes win. All this was played out against the background of the volcanic eruption on the neighbouring Canary Island of La Palma just prior to kick off. Home fans showed their solidarity with a minutes applause for the affected islanders.

Mirandes weren´t expected to be a tough test, they soon showed they were not just going to roll over. Hassan drove most of their early threats. Elady was sharp for Tenerife, his best first half chance was a shot that drifted away from the goal on the half hour. As the 9,957 crowd were settling for a 0-0 half time break, Michel Herrero was upended in the box and squeezed home a penalty that should have been the launch pad to victory.

Ramis was thinking ahead to two tough away games when he subbed right back Mellot in the break, the French defender had been booked so it was a wise move. Replacement Shaq Moore also gives more attacking options down the flank. Frustration built as the second half wore on and Mirandes discovered some ambition. Sam Shashoua hit the woodwork, and Soriano made a fine save for the home side. The leveller was a shock to Tenerife, and they failed to recover from it.

The ref added a generous portion of extra time and Moreno tried his luck and sneaked the winner just before the whistle blew. Tenerife were not at their recent best but still remain in 4th spot. It makes for added pressure in the next two consecutive away games that will be a test of character and bekief. Hopefully this loss will be taken as a hard but valuable lesson.

Confidence oozed through CD Tenerife as transfer window signings flicked the on switch for a convincing 2-0 home win over Segunda Division leaders Ponferradina.

Elady, and Enric Gallego were big and bustling up front sewing seeds of doubt in the visitors defence and providing clear targets for their team mates to pick out. Elady was denied twice in early play by the Ponferradina goalie and when the away side made it to the hosts end, goalie Soriano, another summer arrival,was in solid form to seize the ball. It wasn´t just about the new faces, Tenerife held on to last seasons gems despite envious eyes from other clubs, it made for an encouraging blend of the defensive discipline installed last season by coach Ramis, and a bold new belief.

Sam Shashoua laid off some tempting balls for the front two and full back Alex Muñoz used the left flank as his own personal playground. Veteran centre back Carlos Ruiz had a cheeky claim for a penalty when bundled over but the ref didn´t oblige. Ponferrasina faded fast and offered little, half time was reached with no goals but that looked sure to be temporary as Tenerife were calling the tune.

The arrival of deadline day recruit Mollejo, a 20 year old loanee from Atletico Madrid, added to the attacking vibe. Lively and hungry for the ball, the new boy showed creativity and within five minutes Elady had grabbed the lead, pouncing on a poor clearance before placing it wide of the goalies reach. Coach Ramis kept up the tempo by adding local striker Ethyan for Enric who departed to generous applause from the 6,940 Covid limited crowd. Masked fans were not deterred by the vlistering heat and belted out the much missed terrace anthems.

The best was yet to come. Defender Alex Muñoz doesn´t score many goals but they are usually spectacular. This time he latched onto a through ball, waltzed through three defenders and unleashed a fierce shot into the Ponferradina net. The clincher was watched from the visitors bench by Naranjo, subbed for being as ineffective as he was during two seasons with Tenerife. There is a lot more to come from the resurgent Tenerife squad, they played with a dash of style and plenty of heart. Tougher challenges lie ahead but the squad has lots of positional options and competiton for places in the starting eleven.

Four points from their first two league games, and some quality new signings. CD Tenerife welcomed back the fans after 530 days of Covid exile, and it felt so good to be home. The 0-0 Santa Cruz draw with Sporting Gijon spotlighted the need for a proven scorer but 34 year old French Tunisian Yoann Touzghar is expected to join within days, he signed off with a goal for Troyes in France´s top division after his 16 goals last season fired them to promotion.

Just 5,059 fans witnessed the Tenerife return, a big drop from the Covid restricted 9,000 reduced capacity (the Heliodoro holds 23,000). Some 2000 fans didnt take up the new season tickets in time but lean financial times and concerns over the Covid restrictions on standing, smoking, compulsory masks, and distancing in green spot seats all made an impact. Reality was much kinder on this big step towards normality. There was a light touch to stewarding, Armada Sur fan club from the south brought their usual two coach´s to our pre match plaza and bars. Our turnstile wait was no longer than usual and despite the hot sun, everyone was in a cool mood.

Sporting bossed the first half, probing down the flanks with left back Ktavets trying to open things up before running into new home defender Mellot, one of the pre season success stories. Alexandre Corredera was another who shone in pre season games but couldn´t quite live up to his superb goal to clinch the 1-2 win at Fuenlabrada on opening day of the regular season. Recruited goalie Soriano kept the gloves to start and had another solid game. It wasn´t just about admiring the new guns, recently retired Suso Santana was honoured with a minutes ovation at the tenth minute mark. A well deserved tribute to the man who gave ten seasons of passion to Tenerife. The applause helped to loosen up the crowd a little and assure fans that they could cheer again for their favourites.

Tenerife grew in stature in the second half, Alexandre forced a low save from Diego Marino and Brit Sam Shashoua clipped the post after shaking off his markers. Coach Ramis was ready to shuffle the pack, adding Nono for Sergio Gonzalez in midfield and bringing on 19 year old local goal prospect Ethyan from Cruz Santa. The young striker has rattled in goals at youth and B team level, he worked hard and every senior minute he gets now will boost him as a player. Gijon dug in for the point after Tenerife surged forward fuelled by the return of passionate voices from the crowd. A draw was a fair result against a side that are expected to challenge for promotion. As for the match day experience, it was like slipping back into a comfortable routine. The bond between fans and the team was renewed in our Heliodoro home.

Just a sight and a touch of the Heliodoro Stadium in Santa Cruz brought memories flooding back. It was 15 months since fans were allowed in to worship CD Tenerife, and for the final game of the 2020-2021 season, a small group of Armada Sur members popped up to make a couple of pre match presentations.We had hoped at least some fans would be let in the ground for the final game but that hope was dashed.

Captain Suso Santana was the focus of much speculation and attention in what could be his final game wearing the shirt with boundless pride. The 36 year old local born forwards contract expires in June 2021 and no news of a years extension has come from the club. Either way we wanted to mark his superb service, Suso is loved by the fans and plays his heart out for CD Tenerife. The commemorative plaque summed it up. “Heroes are never forgotten and legends never die.” Over 100 fans turned up outside the teams pre game hotel, across from the ground, to praise and support Suso – and to give a gentle nudge to the club management. There was also the Armada Sur player of the season award to bestow on USA international Shaq Moore. The right sided player from Powder Springs, Georgia has made a big impact in defence and supporting the attack from the wing.

Real Oviedo were the visitors, neither side had anything to play for, guaranteed a safe mid table position. The ref decided he would be the star of the game by showcasing the weaknesses of VAR. Oviedo took a 6th minute lead after a Dani Hernandez punch out wasnt cleared away, leaving Sanchez to score. The second half opened with Vada being floored by an Oviedo player, it took the ref an age to consult VAR and give the blatantly obvious penalty that Fran Sol finished with ease.

The script writer, or rather coach Ramis, set up a dream scenario when Suso came off the subs bench just after the hour. Just 15 minutes later English forward, Samuel Shashoua was pushed to the floor and there was only one man who could take the penalty on such a day. Suso looked as cool as ever to beat thr goalie and give Tenerife the lead.In the current climate, dreams dont always´thrive, with six minutes of time added on, Oviedo pushed forward and Blanco bundled in the leveller for a 2-2 draw.

Coach Ramis is another CD Tenerife employee who´s contract is about to expire, there´s a lot of discussions ahead for the club. At least we got a glimpse of the future, Jorge Padilla came on as a late sub, and Felix, another young gem got a few minutes towards the end. Whatever happens, the fans will be ready to return next season and will once again pump passion and emotion into the grand old stadium.

Clawing back an early deficit, CD Marino failed to convert long spells of dominance into a victory. The price of a 1-2 home defeat to Recreativo Granada could be a heavy one in the relegation phase of their Segunda B division season. Dimas roasted the visitors defence in the opening minutes with crosses from the right. N´Diaye headed one on past the stranded goalie but just outside the post, and caused mayhem with a second bomb into the reds defence.

Emerson cut loose and made a hopeful hand ball appeal for a Granada penalty after his rocket shot canoned off a home defender with no response from the ref. The same attacker tried again, taking the ball wide down the left before skewing a shot over the bar. Nami was full of running for blues, he latched onto a long free kick and beat Montoro before goalie Costa claimed the ball to deny a home lead. Towering Torrente couldn´t cope with the smaller Marino forwards, Nami rose above him to set up another close call from Dimas.

Emerson was the visitor to fear, having failed from a short corner, he was more lethal with a near copy that beat Galvan in the home goal just before the half hour. A low shot from Lopez just after wasn´t good enough to extend the lead. N´Diaye was influential for Marino so it was a huge blow to loose him just before half time with a head injury that saw him stretchered off to receive a Tenerife hospital check over. The Dimas-Nami combination produced two more chances before the half time whistle gave the home team time to refocus.

A win was vital for Marino in the first of eight games in the mini league to try to secure another season in Spain´s third tier. A double change for the second half saw forwards Borja Llarena and Rodrigo join the chase. Granada had their tails up and Arencibia and Jurgen had to clear two good attempts to stretch their lead. There was renewed hope when Dimas floated in a shot from the edge of the box while the Granada defence and goalie froze as the ball nestled in the back of the goal. Marino kept the pressure on by adding attacking right back Nikki with 20 minutes left on the clock. The speedy player troubled Costa with two powerful strikes, it could have been third time lucky when Nikki raced clear of his marker only to be pulled back by the refs badly judged offside call.

It was a thrilling finish as Borja blasted a shot wide in the 90th minute. Marino minds were on attack but when the ball broke to Rodriguez on the left, he sped inside and tucked the ball past Galvan. It was the second time in two consecutive home games that Marino had fallen to a last kick winner. Empty handed in their empty stadium, Marino were left hoping for away points and another return for their home fans to help save their season.

There was plenty of hunger shown by CD Marino, but San Fernando were early to the table with a second minute free kick winner. It was served up as a well flighted Rodriguez strike taht found the bottom corner of the home net. Marino were robbed of three key players by injury and it took them a while to adjust against a Gran Canaria team destined for the promotion play ofs.

Moreno was always pushing for the pink shirted visitors but N´Diaye and Pedro Aleman combined well a few minutes later to take up the chase. Marinos nerves showed when goalie Kikvidze ´s soft clearance had to be tidied up with a back pass from N´Diaye. San Fernando  had their own let off when Nami beat two static defenders and was only halted by the knee of keeper Perales. The keeper recovered his composure with a  follow up tip over from an N´Diaye shot.

Nami on the right and Dimas on the left swapped flanks to give the blues their best spell of the game just before the break. Moussa was quick to get into a good position as a N´Diaye  glanced header came his way but there wasn´t quite room for a threatening shot. Kikvidze did well to pluck out a high shot from Bernal to keep the deficit to the single goal. The maspalomas based visitors could have sat back in the second half but came out all guns blazing. Bernal tried to atone for his earlier failed attempt, and Rodriguez had the home goal in his sights  before Aleman came to the rescue.

Rodrigo replaced Nami and held the ball up well as Marino fought to get back on terms. Kikvidze had a busy game, a full length diving save was the pick of his busy work load. The second phase of the Segunda B (Spain´s third tier) season was beckoning. Regional groups will split into new groups to chase the long road to possible promotion and relegation. San Fernando were assured of their upper chase and Marino were already booked in for the relegation battle, but as league points are carried into this second phase, Marino needed to fight for at least a draw from this last first phase match.

A double substitution refreshed the blues urgency, Borja llarena added pace and an eye for goal from the right, and Julien added his creative vision from midfield. Borja was close with his shot from a Julien hanging cross, Perales had to stretch to grab the ball to safety. Right back Nikki was the final home sub, another fleet footed ‘player, he took on San fernando down the right and left wings and caused them problems. Rodrigo produced a couple of decent shots but San Fernando held firm and were delighted to give themselves a boost ahead of the next set of games. It´s been a hard season so far for Marino after their promotion  but they will have to dig even deeper over the next couple of months to secure their elevated status.

Elation, relief, and pride in a relentless performance. CD Marino reeled in Recreativo Huelva after trailing, and sealed a 2-1 victory in the fourth minute of added time. The sound of celebration ripped into theTenerife  evening sky for the blues first home win of the Segunda B season. Everyone played their part against the cynical visitors who only showed hunger for all three points at the end of normal time.

Backed by a 400 plus crowd, Marino showed their desire from the start. Julien broke through on the right and exposed defender Madrigal before the ball ran on and out of play. Manu Dimas was next to torture the big centre back and test the erratic goalie Nauzet in the mainlanders net. Blues Fede Olivera made a rare slip to leave the ball in an enticing position, Arencibia was quick to cover and close the gap.

Santana was the danger man for Recreativo, he was brought down on the edge of the Marino box and Quiles gratefully converted the penalty for a 23rd minute lead. That could have signalled a collapse but Marino stuck to their promising format. Nadjib was making creative runs down the left, Dimas was elusive as he drifted out wide to surge in from the right, keeping the orange shirted defenders off guard.  A sloppy back pass by Jimenez put keeper Nauzet under pressure and he was lucky to get away with a scuffed clearance kick to avert the threat just before the break.

Marino returned with more intent and Dimas levelled from the spot after being brought down after 53 minutes. Recreativo spurned a chance of a quick reply when they blasted a shot over the bar. Home coach Kiko de Diego made an inspired triple change after 73 minutes to bring on Ahmed, Moussa, and Borja llarena. The crouching goalie had to scramble to cover a Borja shot, it served as more encouragement to the blues. Nunca Se Rinde (Never Surrender) was the message from the stands, and the team responded. When play moved to the other end, David Kikvidze made a sharp save to further fuel the sense of hope.

Moussa used his sixe and determination as he ran at the Recreativo defence, forcing a corner that was cleared. Ahmed showed his attacking instincts, he went close with a header as the pressure grew on the visitors. When Dimas was held down in the penalty area by Valentino, there were strong shouts for a penalty but the ref kept his whistle silent. Recreativo keeper Nauzet rushed to the half way line to take a free kick for his side as the game entered the extra four minutes, but it didn´t find one of his team mates and he had to retreat at top speed to avoid getting caught out. As Marino pushed for the winner, Recreativo broke upfield  twice only to find Kikvidze on top form with two sparkling saves. There were precious seconds left as Moussa pounced on the ball and charged down the right before slipping the ball across to Borja to bury it past the goalie just before the final whistle sounded.

Improved in midfield and with several half chances, CD Marino´s home goal drought continued with an injury time penalty miss in a 0-0 draw with Cadiz B. It was another frustrating afternoon in the south of Tenerife and left Marino rooted to the floor of their Segunda B group.

Visiting goalie Garrancho claimed an early ball off the head of Rodrigo´Gonzalez. Lively Darra opened up the blues defence after 10 minutes, but his ball across the goal mouth was way beyond his team mates. Julien Vercauteren from Belgium, was always looking to kick start a Marino raid from midfield, and right back Fede Olivera looked comfortable in defence and added some surging forward runs. Cadiz had the outstanding player on the pitch, centre back Saturday Keigo was dominant on the ground and in the air and caused problems when joining the attack. Marino´s best chance of the opening half cane when Ekangamene, also from Belgium, set up Colombian Rodrigo whose shot skewed off target. Borja llarena´s cross cum shot cleared the bar for Marino to leave the game finely poised at half time.

Late confirmation of fans being allowed back in the stadium, limited the crowd to around 300, but they gave good vocal support to try to inspire some clinical finishing. Colombian, Rodrigo looked likely to break the stalemate just after the break but Garrancho punched away his effort. Gudeli led a charmed life for the yellows as two bruising blocks by him went unpunished by the ref. Julien found Ekangamene who fired high, and Julien hooked his own attempt over the bar.

The home tension was growing as Cadiz pushed Marino back into defence in the final minute of normal time. Rodrigo had a great chance to use his size to power between two markers and race into the yellows half unchallenged but they squeezed him out. The ref signalled four minutes injury time as Rodrigo and sub Nami both squandered half chances  but salvation seemed at hand when the ref blew for a penalty in the dying seconds. Nami stepped up and fired wide of the goal. The closing whistle was immediate and the points were shared.