Lightning does strike twice, when it has curly hair and answers to the name of Maxi. The born again CD Tenerife forward executed an almost carbon copy of his goal at Las Palmas to see off CD Leganes 1-0 in a calima shrouded Santa Cruz. The win was a further triumph for new coach Raul Agne, faced with late selection problems he produced a winning formula.
Suspended Moyano meant a switch to right back for Camara with Albizua moving to the left after planned replacement Victor picked up a training knock. Hugo Alvarez partnered Carlos Ruiz in the centre and we all shuffled along a few places on the terracing just to feel part of it. There was a different look up front as well with Juan Carlos trying the right and Suso exploring the left wing, all this left Maxi with a central striking role just ahead of Diego Ifran, and he reveled in it.
Chuli, a Janaury target for Tenerife, had a speculative long shot in the first minute but Dani Hernandez is a formidable keeper to beat and started another impressive game with an easy take. The Suso switch worked well, there was plenty of encouragement down that side and Tenerife pinned Leganes down with a series of corners, Suso shot just wide from the last of the flurry. After a close call from Diego, Juan Carlos slipped a measured pass to cut out tree defenders and set up Maxi who pounced pulling the ball wide and rounding the keeper in style.
Maybe Tenerife eased off a little in the second half but a double substitution for the visitors ten minutes in gave them a boost and they were always willing to take a pop at goal when their chances arose. Juan Carlos departed for Cristo Martin and Suso was back on familiar ground on the right, he flashed a shot across the Leganes goal which Serantes did well to deflect away with an outstretched hand.
Eraso for Leganes sent a cross field ball to Velasco who let rip, his shot eluded Dani and pinged back off the post before being cleared. Raul Camara was alert to head a dangerous ball away just in front of the goal but Dani was inspired in goal. The home keeper greets high balls with more relish than a female giraffe and he produced a stunning late save arching his back to reach a shot that threatened to go in just under the bar.
Guarrotxena got a welcome run out for the last ten minutes in place of Suso, more options are opening up to the coach each week and it’s good to see him getting something extra out of the lesser used players. We should still have wary eyes on the relegation zone but there is belief among the fans again, Santa Cruz may have been a weather induced blur but the 9,504 left the game with a clearer vision of the last third of the season.