Alianza took three points from their fifth Apertura fixture with a 2-0 win over Tauro at home on Tuesday night. The hosts moved into second place on 27 points, while the visitors remained fourth after collecting 21 points from 16 matches.
A. Mendoza struck twice in quick succession to set the tone. He opened the scoring in the tenth minute before adding a second just a minute later. By then the match had shifted direction, and Tauro found themselves chasing the game.
Tauro kept more of the ball at 57 per cent possession, but Alianza were more clinical with four shots on target compared to the visitors' three. The hosts made several changes during the second half, bringing on A. Stewart, D. Vargas and A. Olivardia among others.
J. Alvarado added a late third goal in the 83rd minute before being substituted himself. He had been replaced by D. Pinzon earlier in the half, but came back on after the final whistle had not yet sounded.
Discipline proved costly for Tauro, who picked up four yellow cards against Alianza's two. K. Quintero and W. Cabrera each received two bookings for the visitors, while A. Machado also went off with a second caution.
The result leaves Alianza five points clear of Tauro in the standings. The hosts have kept three clean sheets on the spin after their recent defeats, while Tauro are staring at the drop if they cannot string results together.