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.

Just when you think people’s wallets are empty from the festive period along come the sales and they squeeze a little more to pick up a good offer. Santa Cruz always has big reductions in the January sales and it was buzzing for my latest visit.

Street entertainers were drafted in to ease the open purse surgery but the marching bands and jugglers were second fiddle to the search for a bargain. I had sussed out my target, a little pocket camera, early on and was free to roam. Half way down Calle Castillo I was drawn away from the shopping frenzy by the new look Circulo de Bellas Artes exhibition hall. I had been to various presentations there before and found it a little tired and run down but a gleaming welcome awaited me for the Mercadillo del Arte with local artists displaying and hoping to sell their paintings and sculptures. The building has been opened up into a brightly lit two floor display area and was packed with good works. I enjoyed a look around and recognized a few artists names from other exhibitions, the stone handbag seemed very appropriate during the sales season.

The port was calling me, the Santa Cruz Policia Local are celebrating their 175th anniversary and had an open day on the large promenade above the ferry station. There were so many police around I couldn’t help thinking the men with masks and stripey pullovers might be helping themselves all across the capital. I don’t think turning on the charm comes naturally to our police but they were doing a grand job helping youngsters on and off the motorbikes and putting some through their road safety paces on cycles over a short circuit – the spirit of Tufty lives on.

Although the BMW bikes were the main attraction for most blokes visiting, the dogs of the Unipol team were getting plenty of patting and petting. On the day of the exhibition the Policia Local announced plans to add around 20 more recruits to their strength this year. I saw a few people wince when they saw the traffic cameras displayed in all their glory, I’m sure a few were frantically trying to locate the off switch for future use. There will be other events popping up all over Santa Cruz to continue the years celebration, it was a good way to temporarily break down a few barriers and the female officers ensured my interest never wavered.

Hosting the second placed, unbeaten Sporting Gijon would have been met with dread a couple of months ago but this 2015 opener was relished by a confident CD Tenerife who deserved equal praise in a 1-1 draw.

Replacing suspended Carlos Ruiz in the heart of the defence could have been tricky but Jorge Saenz stepped up from the B team and repeated his glowing pre season friendly form. Aitor Sanz issued an early warning to Sporting when his shot just missed the post, Raul Camara tried to unlock the back door down the left but the keeper blocked well. It was easy to see why Sporting are flying high, they look strong in all departments and were always looking to break, Jony cut lose on the right but was wasteful with his effort. Diego Ifran is a lethal predator and a Lora foul was a gilt edged invite for his free kick which he curled over the wall and goalie to take the lead, that’s his sixth of the season and he looks capable of many more.

Ricardo won the ball in midfield and tested goalie Cuellar who was glad of a little help from his woodwork. There was even a little good fortune for Tenerife, Jony thought he had scored after 22 minutes but the ref called it as a foul on Carlos by Bernardo. Midfield was looking strong again with Vitolo showing his experience and class, Sporting were made to work hard for every ball and they were closed down when they looked for the breaks. It took a well worked goal to level, a long ball from Hernandez got a little help from the head of Guerrero before N’di chested it down and scored a peach.

It was finely poised now, Suso cursed his slow response when the ball pinged around the Sporting defence before breaking to him on the left. Back on his usual right wing Suso sent a long ball across to Diego but the keeper had it covered. Rivero took over from Ricardo and Iker Guarrotxena was given a warm welcome when he replaced Cristo. Sporting didn’t sit back, they wanted the win, Rivero came to the rescue to hook out a goal bound shot just in front of the posts.

Ifran is always sniffing for goals but at least one new forward would be very welcome in the January transfer window. As Ifran went off after 85 minute his replacement Aridane was met with whistles and boos, his days in Santa Cruz look numbered. Neither side could grab a winner but the 9,594 crowd were left with plenty of encouragement for the rest of the season.

How did the school playground version go “we three kings of Orient are, one in a taxi, one in a car, one on a scooter blowing his hooter, following yonder star”. Transport is a bit more adventurous in Tenerife, in Adeje, Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthasar arrived by helicopter and in Los Cristianos they combined a short sea trip with the traditional camel ride.

Reyes, Kings Day, or epiphany to use the bible definition, is on 6th January and marks the kings arrival at the stable with their gifts. Most Spanish children open their main presents then but the big public celebration is the arrival of the kings and the cabalgata parade. Last year Arona made a little tweak to the well established formula and they ran with it again this year. The kings arrived at the fishermens quayside by boat and started the parade on foot along the old beach promenade before mounting the waiting camels just below The Devon Arms, one of my watering holes. The rest of the parade was already there slipping into costumes and adding finishing touches to vehicles.

I caught up in Avenida Suecia where the even longer than usual procession was working it’s way along the packed shopping street. The kings were at the rear allowing for a build up of excitement and less chance of other fancy dress characters stepping in a camels calling card. Quite a few old favourite cartoon characters and fantasy outfits from Carnaval time were enjoying the route, posing for photos with bubbling children and throwing sweets into the night air.

It’s a slow process and all the upstairs windows were full of people getting a better vantage point. A lot of dancing, singing, and cheering elapsed before the kings came into view, they are undoubtedly the stars and milked their audience as they progressed. From their lofty perches on the beasts of burden the kings were able to spray generous helpings of sweets even further, they can be a bit hard if they hit you but no one complains, some children amass quite a haul of sweeties by the end of the parade.

I adjourned to the bar as they hit the last stretch leading to the cultural centre and the thrones set up outside. Allowing a couple of pints settling time I returned when the biggest swell of admirers had subsided. There was another small change this year, the large manger scene had been scaled back allowing better views of the stage as children queued to sit on the kings laps and receive pre arranged presents. It’s always a magical sight, the pleasure the children and their parents get is immense and as a tourist attraction it has few equals.

On a day when the wind was so strong it blew the subs benches over, both teams played far too many high balls but it was CD Marino left regretting a 1-1 home draw with Union Sur Yaiza. The Lanzarote visitors are in the promotion pack and Marino should have killed them off after going ahead.

It could have been a dream start, Richard saw his shot shave the post in the 2nd minute but Marino kept up the early pressure, an Aridani cross was forced out for a corner but it came to nothing. Airam made a strong run between two Yaiza defenders, he got a shot in only to see the keeper claim the ball with ease. The greens started to settle and push forward, Lamine back after a long absence had to make a telling tackle to stop one of their raids.

Airam’s determination saw him win the ball in midfield before driving forward but this time the move was broken by the Yaiza defence. It was hard for either team to play flowing football, the wind was gusting strongly and the pitch bore the scars of the three day under 12’s tournament. Sesma burst through down the right and put in a good shot, again keeper Ruyman was alert to the danger. Marino were by far the better side and got their reward on the half hour, an Airam cross found Balduino on the edge of the box and he rifled the ball into the net.

That should have been the platform for a convincing victory but Marino eased off a little, at the start of the second half Aragoneses tipped the ball aside at full stretch to prevent an equalizer. A few minutes later the home goalie was called on again, this time to deal with a dipping shot low down. Coach Sosa Espinel tried to freshen things up with Pablo and Javi Jerez coming off the bench but they made little impact. Going into the last 15 minutes Yaiza drew level, Juanjo sent over an inswinging ball and Aridane popped up at the far post with a perfect header.

Nestor had a chance to restore the lead but hit the post. The game ended on a sporting note when Balduino and goalie Ruyman clashed near the goal, after the keeper received treatment the ref did a drop ball that Balduino tapped back to the goalie to pick up. Now in third spot with a game still in hand, Marino are still firmly in the promotion picture but can’t afford to keep dropping home points.

Soothing, rousing, and enchanting, the Arona Municipal Band gave a tuneful welcome to 2015 with a free concert outside the Los Cristianos cultural centre. It was a very different sound to the pumping dance music that had occupied the same spot well into the early hours of 1st January and quite a different age range of audience.

This is the 30th anniversary of the band which consists of pupils from the Arona school of music and dance and most of the musicians were in their young teens. They’re a talented bunch, after conductor and musical director Jose Luis Dominguez Rodriguez welcomed the audience in Spanish, one young performer addressed everyone in English and German. Seats were set out for around 200 people but others stood behind them to enjoy the treat.

We were promised a diverse programme and it lived up to its billing, ranging from classical to show tunes and even a carol Oh Come All Ye Faithful, well the big day of presents, Reyes, isn’t until 6th January, with the three kings arriving on their camels the night before. The band has 40 members and the stage looked pretty full with a grand array of trumpets, clarinets, kettle drums, tubas, flutes, and saxophones. A few Santa hats added to the festive feel but the nearby Mojito and beer stalls were rather quiet as drinkers went cold turkey.

White Christmas was another timely choice that fitted well with the twinkling evening lights on the cultural centre. In the breaks between tunes as score sheets were shuffled and instruments adjusted, the dull thud of the fairground music up the hill was a reminder of more commercial distractions. A tap of the baton and along came I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady, this was performed in a medley of dance styles, some cha cha cha and some swing.

Conductor Jose ensured that each soloist took an individual bow from the appreciative audience, some musicians were multi tasking, I noticed one young lady move from organ to clarinet. When The Saints Come Marching In led into a more upbeat finish, new hats were added for a lively Dixieland jazz finish but there was no way the audience was going to let them go just yet. The encore was a stirring rendition of the Johann Strauss classic The Redetzky March which had everyone clapping along. That big number was a nice nod to the long established New Years Day Strauss concert in Vienna. Los Cristianos may not have a Blue Danube but hopefully this will become just as popular a tradition in Los Cristianos as the offering in Austria.

There was a lot of hugging at the 19th International Under 12’s tournament in Playa de Las Americas. Each game of the three day football feast ended with warm handshakes and embraces between the young rivals. What there wasn’t a lot of was back chatting the officials, questioning every call, and theatrical rolling in agony. Full of hope and excitement the 14 teams delivered sublime skills and thrilling action at CD Marino’s stadium in Playa de Las Americas.

There was a major upgrade this year to La Liga Promises de Arona, the new name under the guidance of the LFP (Spain’s FA) and they widened their scope. As well as the top clubs in Spain sending players, the Aspire Academy of Qatar, and Kashiwa Reysol of Japan added an unknown element. There were also some returning guests like Juventus, Paris St Germain, Borrusia Dortmund, and Chelsea. The stage was more commercial, the shortened pitch had the digital advertising surround boards, and at one end a giant screen carried game details, and between the action some of the best video shots of the delights that Arona holidays have to offer – great promotion for Tenerife.

But it was still the football that attracted ever increasing crowds to see the short sharp games, the group stages were 12 minutes each way. The new boys of Qatar and Japan were by no means overawed, Japan in particular impressed with their one touch fast tactics. Juventus were again a little negative for my liking and Chelsea went out early with two losses. Barcelona didn’t make much impact and Real Madrid, with Theo Zidane (tournament top scorer) following in the old mans boot steps, had to fight back from a shaky couple of opening games.

Atletico were winners and runners up in the last two tournaments I saw and looked strong again with lots of skill up front and a couple of little battlers winning the ball off much bigger opponents. There were some striking differences in size, a year is a long time for fast growing lads so those at the earliest qualifying end of the age limit were noticeable. Last year Spain coach Vicente del Bosque (above middle with Arona mayor and sports councillor) came to present the trophies at the final, he was so impressed that he was back to watch all three days from pitch side and was clearly lapping up the action. There wasn’t five minutes passed without the coach being asked to pose for a photo, he never failed to agree and was a real gent, even when the entire Japan squad lined up one by one for pics.

By semi final time the competition was getting tough, many of the young lads wont have been used to 30 degrees of Tenerife sun, the pressure of expectancy, and the large television audience watching via several channels. The coaches were probably a bit uncomfortable at being wired up for sound and having cameras constantly in their faces but everyone performed with grace and good manners rarely seen in the big leagues. Atletico Madrid had a tense semi with Juventus and were grateful to their tiny goalie Miguel to keep it goal less so they could score a late winner. The other tie was even tighter with penalties needed to separate Real Madrid and Valencia, it came down to a Real spot kick pinging away off the post before Valencia grabbed the winner.

Onto the evening final with well over 6,000 fans packing in, all the games were free to watch, most people expected Atletico to build on their hot form against a patchy Valencia but you can never predict football. Valencia had done their homework and soaked up early pressure before Ferran grabbed an opener on the break. Mario equalized with a typically cheeky goal but Ferhat sent Valencia into the break 1-2 ahead by scoring after a superb save from Miguel. Atletico again pinned down Valencia at the start of the second half but they caught them with a strong break and another goal from Turkish player Ferhat. There was no way back from 1-3 down and the final whistle brought a joyous explosion of celebration from Valencia but they were quick to go and console their opposition before lifting the trophy.

It was another wonderful tournament, hopefully these players wont get too distracted by the trappings of fame as they move towards senior football. The new more glossy format worked well and I know a lot of local people watched it on the various channels as well as those who packed the stadium. More of the same please next year but it would be nice to have a side representing Tenerife in the competition.

As entertainment it was on a par with being dragged out for Christmas shopping but a 1-0 home win for CD Tenerife over Sabadell ensured a relieved festive break. You can only work with what you’ve got and the players have done well to pull away from the drop zone with a rugged, defensive, and very cautious mind set.

Sabadell were poor, and that’s being generous to them, but despite the boost of forward Diego Ifran returning from suspension Tenerife played deep and made sure they were difficult to beat. The back four are playing with composure and a good understanding between them, Raul Camara and Hugo Alvarez were the pick of the bunch this week but none of them put a foot wrong and Carlos in goal is such a calming influence. Aitor Sanz was missed in midfield and Suso had one of his quieter games, his best move was to run into the female lineswoman, if only he had some mistletoe on him.

Aridane thought he had scored in the third minute but the ref ruled it out as he was clearly offside, Collantes could have made the breakthrough for Sabadell on the half hour but Carlos took the sting out of his shot before gathering the ball. Ifran came close with a curling shot from the left that drifted wide of the goal but he was to get his reward a few minutes later. A scuffed shot from Cristo caught the keeper by surprise, he thought he had covered it but with thee ball squirming under him he pulled it back with his foot and the ref gave a free kick – harsh but let’s call it our Christmas present. Ifran blasted the ball in the top right corner from six yards as the entire defense and keeper tried to block.

The second half was more ragged, the win was so important the players were reluctant to take chances. Yeray fired wide for the visitors when he should have tied the game. Aridane was replaced by Uli Davila after 60 minutes, The Mexican had a chance to book a longer stay in Santa Cruz but his scooped shot wide may be the last we see of him in our colours. Creating chances wasn’t high on the Tenerife agenda as the minutes ticked down, Eguaras gave Tenerife another let off before Victor Garcia made his home debut with just four minutes left. The midfielder only joined the B team in the summer and has made rapid progress, another plus point from the game.

The 7,057 crowd were ready to start the Christmas celebrations but the dying moments saw another clear opening for Sabadell that they spurned. That’s just one goal conceded in five games, January should bring a new striker or two, then maybe the play will become a bit more adventurous. For now though the players can reward themselves with a extra beer and helping of pudding.

Whatever happened to paper chains and home made calendars, we even made little card baskets at infant school and were rewarded with a chocolate Santa as a passenger. A bit of imagination can go a long way to making special festive decorations so I was in my element at the Artbelen in the Centro de Arte La Recova in Santa Cruz. A big hall full of recycled winter treats including sweet wrapper bells was one of the highlights of my pre Christmas tour of La Laguna and Santa Cruz.

Rewinding to the La Laguna start point, a pair of coloured poodles on guard outside a shop reminded me that the day wasn’t just going to be about cribs and wise men. The psychedelic canines nearly sidetracked me from my meeting with the ducks in Parque de la Constitucion. Last years final touches to the fire damaged cathedral saw the removal of the ancient duck pond and the eviction of the waddling inhabitants, the feathers really flew as locals protested furiously. Eventually a new pond was built in the park at a cost of 100,000 euros and the ducks had recently been resettled. They looked well fed and happy, they weren’t even phased by me waving a box of Paxo stuffing at them.

Back down in La Laguna I found a familiar side street that always has some entertaining figures up high on the buildings. This year they had been embellished a little with nice capsules to sit in and little penguins for company. It was nice to see the smiles on peoples faces as they glanced up and clocked the colourful characters. It was all very whimsical and in keeping with the charming character of the interlocking streets. La Laguna seems to have side stepped the more vulgar and commercial trappings of Christmas, the indoor market in Plaza del Cristo was bustling and a giant stage was taking shape ready for the big fiesta nights ahead.

The best was yet to come in Santa Cruz, I had seen the Artbelen last year and was eager to see what they would make this time around. There were several big set pieces like a sprawling nativity scene made from pressed and twisted polythene but the overall theme was of presents bursting forth from boxes. Discarded day to day packaging had been transformed into fun creations full of colour and character. The material used included 2,500 plastic bottles, 60 carton tubes, 500 drink cans, and 300 square metres of wrapping paper. The hall is next to the Teatro Guimera and the exhibition is open until 5 January from 6pm to 10pm and free to go in.

There was only one thing that could top, or bottom, that and the tour of the traditional nativity belens, a Caganer. This Catalan tradition features a peasant in the nativity scene doing his own recycling by adding some home made fertilizer to the earth. I spotted one in the belen at CC Tres de Mayo taking a subtle dump in the shop window. I was chuckling all the way back to Los Cristianos.

Whether you call him Santa Claus or Papa Noel, the big jolly chap in the red suit is everywhere but there are more traditional figures to look out for as my pre Christmas tour of La Laguna and Santa Cruz revealed.

I’m not the most religious person and should be almost grown up by now but I still enjoy all the build up to the festive season. The enchanted faces and tuneful singing of a school party at Casa de Las Capitanes in La Laguna made a great first stop in my annual tour of the nativity based belens. It was rock solid old school in the central courtyard of the old building with the wise men, Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus joined by a few assorted farm animals. There were even more gasps of delight as the party moved into the display hall to walk around a large model depicting all the elements of the Christmas tale.

Up at the top end of town there was a display of art and relics at the Instituto de Canarias which fitted in nicely with the religious mood. Herencia unites paintings, statues, and artifacts from the long gone Iglesias de Los Remedios. Most of the items were from the 1,500 and 1,600’s including a striking wooden sculpture of Our Lady of the Remedios and an imposing study of San Miguel Arcangel about to smite the devil with his sword. This free exhibition goes on until 1 March 2015 with opening from Tuesday to Friday 11 to 2 and 5 to 8pm and just the early session on Saturdays and Sundays.

Not a bad haul for the first leg of my visit, the tram soon had me down in Santa Cruz with the Cabildo (Tenerife government) building on my list. This was the 26th year of their belen and as always it was a tasteful mix of the Christmas story with very detailed models of basic farming life in biblical times. A collection for charity is the price of admission, this year it is for UNICEF to help children. Basic opening hours are 9 to 3 and 4 to 9.30 pm, the exceptions are for 24 & 31 December when it’s just 9 to 3, and 25 December, and 1 & 6 January when it’s 4 to 9.30 pm.

A quick snack and some holy water (Dorada in my case) and I was back on the case just off Calle Castillo in the Caja Canarias bank HQ near Plaza del Principe. This is another regular stop and had been given a bit of a new look this season. Instead of being around the walls the scenes were grouped together in a central block depicting the shepherds in the hills, village life with moving models, and thee long trek of the three kings. What makes it special is the stream that trickles through the landscape and the lighting that dims and brightens to recreate the cycle of the day every few minutes. If you want to be captivated pop in until 5 January from 11.30 to 1.30 pm, and 5 to 8.30 pm, on Sundays 10 to 1.30 pm but closed on public holidays. On the way out I found some local mature musicians playing timple and belting out some cheery yuletide folk songs.

Just when I thought it was a wrap I found a new and unexpected late call, this time in the CC Tres de Mayo shopping centre just up from the bus station. Hiperdino supermarket have provided this one and it has a strong Canarian theme with several Tenerife landmarks on the skyline. A nice antidote to the commercial attractions of the centre and a pleasing sign off for my trip.