It’s going to be a season of harsh lessons for the young guns of CD Marino, putting the ball in the net is at the top of the list. Despite their dominance of the first half they clipped the woodwork three times and went into the break level at 0-0 in their relocated home game against Union Viera at Buzanada. The Gran Canarian visitors arrived just a few minutes before kick off, grew into the game in the second half, and ran out comfortable 0-3 winners.
A couple of early breaks tested Marino’s Serbian goalie Cicovic before the blues started to exploit the flanks, Facu Ramirez teased Viera down the left and Marchena overlapped to put in some tempting crosses, while Suso explored the right side with Bradley Mills from the Middlesborough FC academy ready to support when needed. Facu looped a shot over the visitors bar before Marchena set up Kevin Castro for an attempt that missed the target.
Gaizka, a free scoring old school centre forward looked strong in the air, he headed down a Marchena centre that Facu blasted high. Suso chased a through ball that unlocked the Viera defence but his shot was just wide of the target. Bradley Mills could have had a dream debut, he headed a shot over and saw his low pass to Facu veer away from the goal. Their was a let off for Marino late in the half when a Viera player bore down on the goal, Cicovic came out and was rounded by the attacking player who fired wide when it looked easier to score.
The second half opened with more of the same as the Viera keeper was at full stretch to deny Gaizka , and Bradley’s header was short of the power and direction to beat the keeper. Marino were still getting in behind the defence down the wings but swapping Josito for Marchena after 52 minutes let Viera off the hook. Sandro tried a speculative long shot for Marino but play switched ends quickly and Kilian caught Marino cold to open the scoring. A double substitution saw Alexis and Alberto replace Facu and Suso, leaving Gaizka stranded with his supply lines cut off.
A brief spell of pressure forced three corners in quick succession for Marino, the nearest effort brought a one handed push away from the Viera goalie. A Peraza free kick at the other end of the field met little resistance as the ball evaded Cicovic for a 2-0 scoreline. Marino appealed for a way back into the game via a handball but the ref signaled it hit the Viera defenders chest and waved play on. The third goal after 83 minutes was almosrt in slow motion as Peraza strolled the ball into the net. The Gran Canaria forward should have completed his hat trick late on but somehow managed to make a clearing defensive header when a clean nod was the easier option. Lots to work on but plenty of bright spots in the first half performance, only two players survived from the end of last season and with a top age of 23 they will hope to add confidence and experience as the season moves on.