Full marks to coach Jose Espinel, CD Marino had looked a little stale in previous weeks so he shuffled the pack and his player and positional changes made the difference in a 3-1 home win over Estrella.
It took the first half to get used to the changes and by then Marino were behind to a soft goal but they grew in confidence with everyone playing a full part in this convincing win. Defender Mendy was moved to left back and able to overlap with Marchena on the wing, both have plenty of pace and they caused problems to the visitors. Mendy showed he still had his mind on his defensive duties when he shielded the ball back to Sergio in goal as Estrella threatened. Sesma moved to a more central attacking role and that gave more freedom to Balduino who had one of his best games of the season, he was unlucky to see his early header clear the bar.
Estrella relied on quick breaks but Eslava and Pablo in the heart of the home defence managed to snuff out several chances. Mendy won the ball in midfield and set up Balduino on the half hour but the keeper saved down at this post. There was a setback when Marchena limped off but his replacement Kevin Castro soon got stuck in and fought for every ball. With the break just five minutes away Marino were caught napping by a quick break, Ruyman had far too much space to stroll through and place his shot in the net.
Espinel gave Marino a rousing team talk on the pitch just prior to the second half kick off and they responded well. Castro charged at Estrella and hit a strong shot that deflected off a defender for a corner. More pressure and further corners followed and it was from one of these balls that Mendy rose high to head the equalizer with just 15 minutes gone. Estrella tightened up as Marino tried to break through and their persistence paid off as Balduino shrugged off a defenders bear hug to turn and fire in the second goal. Not killing off games has cost Marino points this season so they were determined to add to their tally, Castro was a little terrier tormenting his markers, he broke free after one typical squirming run but shot just high of the target.
Sergio needed a seat in the home goal as Marino kept the action up the other end, Balduino was a menace to Estrella and eventually they fouled him in the box and he stepped up to convert the penalty. The referee had been showing selective eyesight in favour of Estrella but he had little choice but to send off Aibal as the visitors lost their composure, he gave Espinel his marching orders late on as well but he must have got plenty of comfort from his good choices. It was a comfortable win by the final whistle and just what was needed to strengthen Marino’s position in the top four play off positions, they now sit in 2nd , four points behind Lanzarote and still have a game in hand on their rivals.