We got pretty much what we had been asking for, a slight improvement in form, and even a well worked goal in a 1-0 home win over Mirandes. Given the winless run stretching back into last season, CD Tenerife desperately needed to break the dam and calm the jangling nerves.
Relegated and then handed a late reprieve, Mirandes were not the strongest side that will visit Santa Cruz this season, but who cares, it was about beating ourselves as much as beating the visitors. Three more of the new signings made their league debuts, Ruso Garcia replaced Aridane up front, Hugo Alvarez filled in for the suspended Carlos Ruiz, and Igor Arnaez slotted in at left back. Early play was nervous but encouraging and after 6 minutes Aitor Sanz showed a flash of determination and skill. The midfielder robbed a Mirandes defender out on the right and set up a straight forward chance for Guarrotxena who made sure he beat former home keeper Razak Brimah.
It was like Christmas Day, fiesta Friday, and free beer Tuesday all wrapped up in one glorious moment of relief. Mind you being a hard bitten bunch we knew it might not be that easy so we prayed and fretted as the first half unfolded. Ruso should have made it 2-0 after 22 minutes, he had a clear sight of goal but couldn’t bury the ball. Mirandes gave us a few scares, basically anytime they got a foot or head on the ball the worries crept up again but Arnaez and Hugo Alvarez looked comfortable in defence and Jacobo had little to deal with.
The second half was just as tense, Aridane replaced Ruso and got another mixed reception but Ruso had looked little more than adequate and a second goal had to be a priority. Davila didn’t show much and was sacrificed for Cristo, at least the clock was running down. There was a big scare as Mirandes broke through after 72 minutes, Jacobo made a great save to block the danger, offside was called but it was quite close enough for our liking.
Thankfully there was just a couple of minutes of added time to endure, the final whistle was sweet music to the 8,175 crowd. A win is a win and the hope is we can push on from here. Valladolid will be a tough nut away next Sunday, inevitably the home clash with the Pios is on everyones mind but there is still a lot of work to do.