Tarxien R-Msida SJ 0-0

Tarxien R: A. Curmi, S. Sadowski, C. Gatt Baldacchino, E. De Lima, W. Chircop (M. Caruana), M. Tanti (A. Decesare), R. Schembri, D. Bueno, L. Vella Critien, D. Dos Santos, D. Camilleri

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

Referee: C. Pisani asst. refs: K. Borg, J. Camilleri 4th official: M. Borg

Yellow cards: A. Da Silva, C. Gatt Baldacchino, E. De Lima, P. Calcado, D. Cachia, K. Spiteri, D. Bueno

Red cards: C. Gatt Baldacchino, P. Calcado

Player of the match: D. Dos Santos

TMI top three: 1. D. Dos Santos 2. M. Camilleri 3. T. Farrugia

Seven players booked and two sent off might suggest this was an eventful match. But edge-of-the-seat stuff it was not, although both sides went close to breaking the stalemate. A draw might suit Tarxien Rainbows more as they remain on top of the standings in the Relegation Pool. On their part, the Msida goal drought continued as they again failed to score in any of the three Relegation Pool matches played so far.

Having lost their previous two matches, Msida SJ could not afford any more slips. It was important for them to demonstrate an aggressive intent and although Tarxien looked superior in some parts of a largely sterile encounter, the Saints failed to buckle under pressure. At times Tarxien lacked conviction too far and their striker Bueno, who had been prolific of late with his goals, lacked the required sharpness in front of goal yesterday.

On a Dos Santos cross, Tanti skied the ball and then Dos Santos himself exchanged the ball with Vella Critien but shot over.

Towards the hour, after Tarxien had substituted Tanti with Decesare, a Dos Santos shot was well tipped over the bar by keeper Camilleri. The Msida custodian blocked another Dos Santos shot after some defensive hesitancy in the Saints’ backline.

Msida, however, were not without an occasional threat of their own, especially with

Ourellio’s incursions inside the Tarxien area. And on 35 minutes they went closest when Calcado thumped his free kick against the bar as Magro lofted the rebound.

The second half was more scrappy, with football of patchy quality from two disjointed teams.

Tarxien’s best threat came after four minutes. On Dos Santos’ corner, Chircop’s scissors kick demanded a smart save from keeper Camilleri into a corner.

On the hour, Msida were forced to substitute the injured Andrew Spiteri with Stacey Vella and six minutes later, Tarxien were reduced to ten men as their defender Gatt Baldacchino was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Msida tried to exploit their numerical superiority but rarely showed the ability to penetrate the Tarxien rearguard, except for a Calcado free kick which narrowly missed the target.

Four minutes from time, Calcado was also sent off, himself earning a second booking and in added time, Ourellio’s inswinging shot went inches wide as the action slipped away into a less than stimulating stalemate.