Añaza Takes Preferente Lead, Ends Laguna's Unbeaten Run

Añaza is now daring to dream. A goal from Aday was all Eduardo Delgado's team needed to defeat Laguna at Francisco Peraza on Saturday, ending Laguna's unbeaten league run and taking the top spot in the Regional Preferente. This strong performance confirms that the Santa Cruz team is no longer just a surprise; they are serious contenders. Añaza is the new leader of the Preferente, backed by strong performances, impressive statistics, and a clear team identity.

In one of the season's most anticipated matches, over 1,500 people gathered at Francisco Peraza. The league leaders, an undefeated Laguna side, faced a strong Añaza team. The atmosphere, as their coach admitted, was "football-like and spectacular" – a rare sight for a non-professional league, more akin to top-tier Canarian football.

Laguna came into the match with an impressive record of 18 wins and five draws. They were also still competing in the Heliodoro Cup and had only conceded a goal in one knockout round (after extra time) against CD Toledo in the Federation Cup. In the league, no team had managed to beat them at home. However, a focused and well-organized Añaza team knew the game would be decided by small details.

The reward for the Santa Cruz team came in the 26th minute. Saúl took a shot inside the box, which former blanquiazul player Ángel Galván saved, but the ball bounced loose at the far post. Aday was there to tap the ball in, scoring the goal that would ultimately win the match. This hard-fought 0-1 victory is likely to be remembered as one of the most, if not the most, important nights in rojinegra history.

Añaza now has 61 points, taking the lead from Laguna, who remain on 59. Crucially, the Santa Cruz team also gains an advantage in the head-to-head goal difference, following a goalless draw in their first encounter. This double boost strengthens the local team's position with 14 league matches still to go.

"People will remember us," says coach Eduardo Delgado. Indeed, regardless of what happens next, Añaza's journey – having conceded just nine goals in 24 matches – is already making history in Canarian football. In just four years, the Santa Cruz club has risen from obscurity to dreaming of promotion to the Tercera division. Their path included two consecutive promotions, and last season, they comfortably stayed in the Preferente in their debut year, using the opportunity to build a foundation that hadn't existed before.

"What Añaza has achieved in four years is something people will remember," the coach emphasized. However, he prefers to highlight a more immediate achievement: in the first five matches of the second half of the season, Añaza has played against three playoff contenders – including Laguna – scoring 14 goals and conceding none. This performance, according to Delgado, "is more important than beating Laguna the other day."

Despite reaching the top, the team's approach remains unchanged. This Friday, they face Tacoronte, which Delgado calls "the most important match." The coach is clear that the Preferente league demands focus, stating "it is not a bed of roses" and "this is hard work." Even on Monday, a holiday, the team was back in training as usual after Saturday's win.

The support from their fans during the match in La Laguna deserves special mention. A huge turnout of rojinegra supporters at Francisco Peraza made it clear that their fans are a crucial part of Añaza's success. Always present, both at home and away, involved throughout the week and key players on match days, Delgado considers them "the best fanbase there is."

"I don't like to compare, but what I experience with these fans every day, seeing them at training sessions, you really live it with them, and it shows," the coach explained. "Our communication is clear in every aspect, including behavior; it's something incredible that we experience in every match. Many fans always come with us; when we travel, not everyone can make it, of course, but they are always engaged during the week, they're in the neighborhood, leaving us messages of support and excitement, preparing banners, helping out... we even made shirts for them. Ultimately, that's more beautiful than anything else."

The race for promotion to Tercera is far from over, especially with only two points separating the top two teams. However, a clear head-to-head battle for direct promotion is now emerging. This battle promises to be long and unforgiving. Añaza, now in the lead, understands that the real challenge isn't reaching the top, but staying there.

With 14 matches left, the Preferente playoff picture – where teams from second to fifth qualify – is also becoming clearer. Güímar, Raqui, and Los Llanos, currently third, fourth, and fifth, appear to be strong contenders for promotion, alongside whichever team misses out on direct promotion between Añaza and Laguna. Los Llanos, in fifth place and the final playoff spot with 44 points, holds a six-point lead over sixth-placed Las Zocas and seventh-placed Tacoronte. However, Las Zocas (blanquirrojo) still has to visit Los Llanos and Raqui, while Tacoronte (the "hornets") will host both teams. At the bottom of the table, the situation remains tight. Buzanada, currently safe in fifth from bottom, is six points ahead of La Palma, who occupy the first relegation spot with 18 points. Sauzal is two points further back with 16 points, while Bahía Santiago and Fuencaliente, both on eight points, appear almost certain to be relegated. Crucial matches like Sauzal vs. La Palma and Sauzal vs. Buzanada are still to be played.