Celebrations were in the air at CD Marino, from the dressing room of visitors Leganes and another relayed from Oviedo to the grounds terrace bar but the home players had to settle for a consoling hug and handshake from their President as they lost their relegation battle.
Disastrous early season form marked Marino’s fate but since January they have been a match for most teams in Las Americas. They made a sprightly start again, Balduino carved out a neat cross in the first minute and Sandro thought he had scored but goalie Falcon just managed to stop the ball from crossing the line. Leganes needed a win to ensure their play off spot and played a tight controlled game soaking up pressure and looking to win the ball with crunching tackles to launch quick breaks.
Dani Gomez was particularly tough on Chema as he sped down the left looking to feed Balduino. The Marino forward didn’t help his cause by getting in offside positions and Iker was relying too often on scraps from Balduino rather than making his own chances. Leganes made few clear chances, the first fell to Vega and although the forward had the height to make a header he didn’t have the accuracy. Aicart wasted an opening blasting wide and Marino were hopeful of taking the break on even terms. A testing ball in from Dioni just before half time found the defence hesitant and Alberto off guard as the ball evaded the keeper.
Into the second half, Noah replaced Airam to bolster the attack and Balduino again got caught offside. Martinez went close from a free kick as Leganes pressed forward more and after 66 minutes a curling shot from Martinez got the better of Alberto and at 0-2 it was over as a contest. Noah made a chance from nothing as he skillfully dug out the ball from a goal mouth melee and set up Iker but he put his shot over the bar.
It was all or nothing so Ayoze pushed up from his central defence role and a shot from him caught the hand of Victor, it would have been a harsh penalty call but the ref didn’t even consider it. A loud cheer from the bar signaled CD Tenerife taking the lead at Oviedo, not really what Leganes wanted to hear but they were happy with the play off spot their win would guarantee. The final five minutes were cruel as Raul Barcos got sent off for a full bloodied foul. A late charge by Marino was frustrated by goalie Falcon bouncing the ball basketball style behind his goal before taking his goal kick, he repeated the trick and got a yellow card. As Marino traipsed off at the final whistle their heads were down but President Barrios made a point of showing his pride in their gallant but late fight back at the rear of the season.
Over at Real Oviedo there was a superb turnaround 1-2 win for CD Tenerife. Tarantino and Suso were dropped with Baltasar Rigo making his debut in thee centre of defence and Loro returning up front. Cervero gave the home side a 26 minute lead that they held until the 74th minute when Ayoze set up Loro who coolly stroked the ball into the net. The winner a few minutes later was sheer brilliance, a loose ball in the middle of the park looked no danger but the youngster spotted the goalie off his line and lobbed the ball perfectly over him from 50 yards. Four regular games to go and CD Tenerife have their section title well within their grasp and could seal it at home to Fuenlabrada next Sunday.