Msida SJ-Tarxien R 1-0

Msida SJ: M. Camilleri, S. Grima, A. Spiteri, S. Vella, T. Farrugia, D. Cachia, A. Da Silva, A. Farrugia, C. Camilleri (P. Calcado), K. Magro, M. Ourelio

Tarxien R: S. Cini, L. Galea, M. Caruana (K. Borg), I. Carapic, P. Sciriha (L. Vella Critien), W. Chircop, M. Tanti, A. Decesare, R. Schembri, D. Bueno, R. Cariaga (O. Grech)

Referee: A. Arciola asst.refs: J. Camillerri, G. Tonna 4th official: C. Pisani

Scorers: M. Ourelio

Yellow cards: R. Schembri, R. Cariaga, S. Vella, I. Carapic, M. Ourelio, A. Decesare, T. Farrigia

Player of the match: Marco Ourelio (Msida SJ)

TMI top three: 1. M. Ourelio 2. A. Spiteri 3. M. Tanti

Brazilian striker Marco Ourelio scored a well taken goal to give Msida St Joseph their first league win of the season and put some gloss on a scrappy game which produced poor football and little excitement.

Ourelio’s goal was the perfect reward for his impressive display of energy, courage and commitment as he was rightly voted the Player of the match.

Msida, heavily beaten by Hibernians in their first outing, left Pedro Calcado on the bench and coach Curmi only used him as a second half substitute.

Tarxien have still to come to terms with life in the Premier Division, as they succumbed to their second defeat. Their build-up play yesterday deserved more than that, but their final passes and finishing left much to be desired.

Striker Owen Chircop started the match, partnering Bueno in attack in a 4-4-2 foramtion. Defender Lino Galea also played instead of Borg.

After a cagey start with Tarxien doing most of the running, Msida settled well and started to venture into enemy territory with some frequency, with Andrew Spiteri very much involved. Msida’s first shot on goal, after seven minutes, came from Adrian Farrugia, but it was an easy effort for keeper Cini. The Tarxien keeper had to rush out on the edge of the area to block at Ourelio’s feet.

Ourelio was again menacing on 19 minutes. His pacey run and quick footwork took him past two opponents but his final shot went wide.

Tarxien, who were only restricted to shoot from a distance, tested keeper Camilleri’s reflexes with a Bueno effort, turned into a corner and a Decesare free kick, which proved unproductive, towards the half hour.

Not surprisingly, the match was still goalless by halftime.

The second half came briskly to life, thanks to the runs and crosses of Ourelio, reaping havoc inside the Rainbows’ defence. Camilleri twice failed to capitalise, sending his shots off target. But on 55 minutes Ourelio picked Magro’s pass from midfield, advanced towards goal, beating Sciriha and Schembri on the run and after avoiding the keeper, steered the ball over the goal line to give the Saints the lead.

With Calcado going in for the exhausted Camilleri, Ourelio received better service.

On 75 minutes, Calcado’s through ball put Ourelio clear but Cini denied him with a smart save.

With Msida clearly calling the tune, Tarxien, who had made all their three substitutions, looked unlikely to salvage anything. Ten minutes from time, substitute Grech converted Carapic’s headed pass, but the goal was disallowed for an offside. Grech again scuffed his shot wide from an ideal position in the dying minutes.

Msida were still winning with that Ourelio goal at the end.