In 700 Tercera Division games CD Marino will have seen fewer stranger than their 2-1 home win over Union Sur Yaiza. Before kick off the club honoured squad members from the 1980-81 season that started that long residency, they must have been as bemused as the other fans by a flag happy young linesman, and a whistle happy ref who sent off three visiting players.
Antonio Samuel unleashed a crisp early shot for Marino that warmed the Lanzarote goalie’s hands. Right back Connor continually got in behind the Yaiza defence, and on the other side of the pitch Javi Saavedra overlapped and saw his shot ricochet off the post. David was nearly caught cold when Victor produced the first attempt for the green shirted visitors, but it was back to one way traffic as Fayez fed Juanmi for another home effort. Ruyman was bracing himself for a busy afternoon in the Yaiza goal, Connor breached the rear guard again, this time setting up Gaizka, his neat flick was snuffed out by the goalie.
Ammed and Guti both went close, it was inevitable that a home goal would come, after 25 minutes Samuel made another telling run down the left, cut inside, and finished clinically to make it 1-0. Yaiza were stung and tried to respond, Kamara got into a strong position but headed over the Marino bar. Ammed and Samuel both had further chances before the half closed with a Rami header that David took one handed in the home goal. After Tito had his own effort easily dealt with by David to open the second half, Gaizka made way for Javi Gonzalez for the blues. The sub wasted little time in winning a free kick from a menacing run, Ammed fired it over the bar.
Prince Dadia came on for Fayez as Marino looked for the second goal to underline their superiority. It was Yaiza though who found the back of the net with a soft goal from Rami that evaded David. That gave Yaiza some encouragement, they stepped up the intensity of their play and the tackles became fiercer. That still didn´t prepare the fans for a mad five minutes, first a clash of players saw some pushing and shoving, the ref, prompted by his assistant, showed a direct red to Raul and a second yellow to Miguel. Once order was restored, Sesma was Marino´s last sub, in place of Connor, a positive, attacking move.
Javi Gonzalez beat the Yaiza defence and was in the penalty area when Victor hooked him over. The ref pointed to the spot and another direct red for the foul meant Victor joined his mates for an early shower. Sesma stepped up and side footed the penalty straight, the keeper, Ruyman, stood his ground and made a spectacular save. Marino had 10 minutes left to seal the victory and threw their overwhelming numbers at the depleted opposition. Juanmi blasted too high, Prince was on target but brought the best out of Ruyman.
It wasn´t fair to expect more drama but it came anyway in the second minute of injury time. Prince looked hungry and showed great pace to exploit an opening in the Yaiza defence, from outside the box he let loose a perfectly timed shot to leave the goalie stranded. Prince was mobbed by his team mates, there were a few more seconds to be added on though. As play restarted, the Marino bench urged the final whistle to go, and after agonising seconds it did.. It was quite a game to witness, Marino will just be thankful for the three points that boost them up to 11th place.