Three nil up as Mirandes desperately tried to convert a corner into a goal, where was Choco the new CD Tenerife scoring sensation? The Honduras striker was back ready to help his defence but with an eye to break and complete his hat trick. It’s not just the four goals that have endeared the loan signing to the Santa Cruz faithful, it’s his work rate, enthusiasm, and sublime skills.
After heavy criticism, coach Raul Agne deserves a big slice of credit for turning the season around whilst under the shadow of the axe. The boss’s faith was repaid in this 3-0 home win as key players bounced back to form, Dani Hernandez turned the clock back to his solid displays of last season, his double save at the end of the first half, a push aside and a tip over, was immense. I wouldn’t have rushed to re-instate Aitor Sanz after his latest game out due to a daft sending off but Agne stood by him and the midfielder was a diamond, instrumental in most of CDT’s best moves and grabbing a goal along the way.
Cristian Garcia looks a different player in midfield, he even ventured forward and forced a save after 18 minutes. Choco is fast becoming the man to watch, he ran Olympic rings around his markers before a possible three game absence helping Honduras to qualify for Brazil 2016. Weaving his way through Mirandes Galan stopped him with a foul and the ref pulled him up with an offside call but he just kept coming. Pedro Martin is a perfect foil for Choco with his unpredictable runs, Suso came close to finishing off another of his probing raids.
Another strong intervention from Cristian Garcia won the ball and he fed Suso who slipped it through to the fast advancing Choco, the net bulged and he was down on his knees celebrating. The timing was good, those Dani saves ensured Tenerife went into the break with the 8.039 crowd confident of a second successive victory. There was another double stop from Dani Hernandez, making an athletic save from Velez before blocking the loose ball. Jairo came on for Pedro, the local youth still figure highly in Agne’s plans. Tenerife swept forward again and despite a touch from the Mirandes keeper, Aitor Sanz knocked the rebound into the net for the second goal.
Two goals are good, but three adds an extra shine to a win, Camara made a good run down the right and with a little help from Aitor Sanz the ball came over to Choco, he chested the ball under control and fired past the goalie. The final ten minutes was quite a luxury, no real worries about the result, just a blast of noise from the fans and smiles all round. Late substitutions brought Nano and Tommy Martinez on for a few minutes, one of them or Cristo Gonzalez will be needed to cover for Choco, a big challenge for them and the team. A second clean sheet in two games was very welcome, it’s too early to think all our problems have melted away but it was an inspiring performance.