Roses Are Red

Chicharreros Are Blue

Vallecano Score One

But CD Tenerife Score Two

This was the big test of the new look CD Tenerife, following last weeks great win at Salamanca the Segunda Division leaders came to Santa Cruz and to be honest pre match most of us would have settled for a draw. Coach Tapia had other ideas and for the first half the home side more than matched their opponents. Left back Beranger had a rare goal chance after 7 minutes but it wt that as not enough to test Rayo’s Cobeño in goal. The Madrid based team were big and strong and Tenerife didn’t help themselves at time by giving the ball away too easily. Dubarbier gets better with each game on the left but was always looking over his shoulder to make sure Beranger was covering at full back and after 20 minutes Dubarbier picked up a booking for hand ball stopping a Rayo break away.

Dani Kome was making good progress down the right side but was wrestled to the ground several times, or were they pre Valentines cuddles? TV giants Canal Plus were the reason for the 11am kick off and at our end it was noticeable that the camera operators were women, what on earth would Andy Gray have to say about that! Going into the break it was level and goal less with good reason to enjoy the hot sunshine but it’s all about goals. Rayo aren’t top for nothing and had plenty of fire power but returning home keeper Sergio Aragoneses was on top form easily taking a Piti free kick just after the interval.

With 62 minutes gone Arribas handled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot, Hidalgo stepped up and fired it in for the lead (above) but the fussy ref called an infringement and ordered a retake.Hidalgo kept his nerve and sent the keeper the wrong way (below) to delight the home fans. There was better to come as Nino won the ball to the left of the goal area and lobbed it delicately, it hung in the air but eventually arched down into the goal, a superb bit of skill.

Tenerife had to withstand a Rayo fightback, Sergio was masterful punching clear as Piti bore down on Bertran and luck was on our side as Rayo hit a post and the shot pinged back onto the legs of Pablo Sicilia but rebounded just past the post. Time was ticking away when the ref threw a spanner in the works, calling Sicilia for a push in the box and awarded a penalty to Rayo, Armenteros scored and the four minutes of injury time were sheer agony especially as Gomez had a clear last gasp shot but could only direct it into Sergio’s hands. The whistle was greeted with joyous celebration, apart from the near 200 Rayo fans on the upstairs tier above our home stronghold, how did security let them get in there?

Thankfully a happy ending but it doesn’t get any easier with 2nd placed Celta Vigo away next week and the aftermath of another 6 bookings bound to disrupt the starting line up. On the plus side big new striker Igor has still to taste action and even sweeter, Tenerife are now just one point behind the Pios.