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.