Tarxien R 2
Lija A 3
Tarxien R: C. Cassar, E. Baker, G. McKay, E. Calin (M. Traore) A. Azzopardi (M. Spiteri), J. Brincat, A.Scicluna, R. Darmanin (M. Desira Buttigieg), A.Benes, R. Faria, S. Cipriott
Lija A: L. Bonnici, P. Babic, P. Borg (L. Muscat), D. Scerri, E. Beu, L. Schembri, R. Kooh Sohna, A. Bello Osagie (A. Galea), C. Cassar (M. Clinch), O. Sidibe, D. Leeflang
Referee: E. Grech
Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, C. Francalanza
4th official: D. Agius
Scorers: R. Darmanin 22, G. McKay 34, P. Borg 49, R. Kooh Sohna 66, 90+
Yellow cards: E. Beu, D. Scerri, S. Cipriott, E. Calin, A. Scicluna
Red cards: E. Beu, S. Cipriott
Player of the match: L. Schembri (Lija A)
TMI top 3: 1. R. Kooh Sohna 2. L. Schembri 3. J. Brincat
Tarxien Rainbows were culpable of throwing away a two-goal lead, when enjoying numerical superiority for more than 70 minutes, as their threat and concentration deteriorated after the interval and Lija responded with a remarkable comeback that saw them register their first Premier League win of the season.
Lija's disjointed first-half display had given way to more frantic pressure and they ended up infuriated by everything, from finding themselves two goals down within a 12-minute spell to the dismissal of their wide player Erjon Beu in between the goals.
After a promising start, there were signs that Lija had reverted to all their usual shortcomings - flimsy at the back, short of leadership and not enough players taking responsibility.
But looking sharper after the interval, they managed to come to terms with two goals by the 66th minute, exploiting gaps in the Tarxien defence, and finally score a stoppage-time winner in dramatic fashion.
Two goals to the good and an extra man, just past the half hour, left Tarxien harbouring hopes of snatching a much-needed win following defeats against Valletta and Birkirkara.
The Rainbows opened the scoring after 22 scrappy minutes, low on quality. Faria created space for Benes to advance from the right. His shot was blocked by keeper Bonnici and as Lija defender Cassar's clearance rebounded off the bar, Ryan Darmanin was quick to head in the bouncing ball.
Hardly a minute later, Lija were reduced to ten men when Beu was sent off for two bookable offences.
Tarxien could exploit their numerical superiority on 34 minutes when awarded a corner after the goalkeeper had foiled Faria inside the area. From the resultant Brincat corner, Darmanin's glancing header was only parried by the grounded keeper Bonnici and Godwin McKay knocked the loose ball over the line to give his side a comfortable lead.
Centre back Patrick Borg pulled one back for them four minutes into the second half, after heading in a Schembri corner from the right.
A highly improved Lija side drew level on 66 minutes. Their striker Raphael Kooh Sohna, who was unable to accomplish anything on his own up front in the first half, ran clear, after robbing Baker of possession. His first effort hit the innerside of the bar and as the ball rebounded in play the same player finished off with a low drive.
As their energy levels subsided, Tarxien created precious little of note in the second half. They had a couple of flickers though and their biggest opportunity, on 65 minutes, fell to Brincat who took control of Calin's long ball inside the Lija area but was thwarted by keeper Bonnici as he tried to evade him.
Numerical equilibrium was restored on 74 minutes when Cipriott was aslo sent off for the Rainbows.
And although Tarxien looked the stronger team in the dying minutes, Lija struck again in added time, Kooh Sohna again scoring a dramatic winner with a firm header for them to savour sweet victory.
There were joyous scenes for one side, dejection for the other at the end.
Late goals give Balzan lift-off against Birkirkara
Balzan 2
Birkirkara 1
Balzan FC: I. Janjusevic, J. Grioli, E. Serrano, A. Effiong, U. Ljubomirac, R. Fenech (M. Johnson), B. Kaljevic, B. De Oliveira, P. Fenech, C. Mendes, S. Arab (S. Bezzina)
Birkirkara: D. Cassar, N. Vukanac, L. Maia, M. Andelkovic, Fabiano De Oliveira (L. Montebello), C. Goncalves Junior, C. Attard, K. Zammit, M. Guillaumier (L. Cremona), R. Scicluna, J. Grech (R. Camenzuli)
Referee: G. Tonna
Asst.refs: M. Scerri, R. Aquilina
4th official: I. Barbara
Scorers: M. Guillaumier 42, B. Kaljevic 85, C. Mendes 87
Yellow cards: M. Guillaumier, L. Maia, C. Goncalves Junior, Fabiano De Oliveira, R. Fenech, N. Vukanac, L. Cremona
Player of the match: R. Scicluna (Birkirkara)
TMI top 3: 1. R. Fenech 2. M. Guillaumier 3. P. Fenech
Attendance: 469
Two late goals by Bojan Kaljevic and Carlos Mendes turned defeat into a win for Balzan over Birkirkara as they now catch up with Gzira United in second place, one point behind leaders Valletta who play today.
The Stripes' attempts to keep the pace with their opponents almost bore fruit but, handing the initiative to Balzan too early, after taking a first half lead through Matthew Guillaumier, might have lead to their downfall.
High-flying Balzan came into this match on the back of a run of seven unbeaten matches and were an unchanged side yesterday.
Balzan were proactive and fluent from the outset. They had already carved out two good scoring opportunities within the first ten minutes. Birkirkara keeper David Cassar produced two splendid reflex saves as he first tipped Effiong's powerful shot over the bar into a corner and then denied Grioli, turning his rising shot into another corner.
Past the quarter hour, Kaljevic advanced inside the Birkirkara area but was faced by the onrushing keeper and the ball went out.
Then, at a point when it seemed as if Birkirkara's best hope was to survive to half-time without conceding a goal, they took the lead against the run of play three minutes before the break. Grech miscued his shot, on a Fabiano low cross from the byeline on the left, but Matthew Guillaumier was on hand to knock the ball past Janjusevic from close range.
That required an immediate response from Balzan who, after substituting the injured Arab with Steve Bezzina, threatened again with two headed efforts from Mendes. The first missed the target, while the second was tame and aimed straight at keeper Cassar.
The second half started with some controversy. Balzan claimed that Zammit's foul on Kaljevic on the right was committed inside the Birkirkara area and the referee looked like awarding the penalty to Balzan but, after protests from the Birkirkara players, he consulted his assistant and opted for a freekick. Mendes played it short for Ryan Fenech, whose inswinger was headed out by a Birkirkara defender.
Balzan remained dominant but lacking punch. Past the hour Birkirkara were dealt a blow as Guillaumier limped off, to be replaced by Cremona and later Ryan Camenzuli was introduced for Grech to give the Stripes more solidity in midfield.
Balzan's nimble moves, almost always orchestrated by the evr-present Ryan Fenech, tended to fizzle out before reaching the Birkirkara box.
In fairness, the Birkirkara keeper remained alert, palming out a Mendes free kick form the left on 78 minutes.
But Birkirkara were living dangerously at the back as they surrendered the initiative. Balzan, who needed to channel their frustration into something more constructive, scored twice within as many minutes to turn the tables on their opponents.
On 85 minutes, Bojan Kaljevic reached for a long Paul Fenech cross before keeper Cassar, who had rushed off his line, to head into an empty net. Two minutes later, a Carlos Mendes free kick from wide on the left surprised all and sundry as the ball finished low at the far post.
Mosta fight back to earn deserved point
Gzira U 2
Mosta 2
Mosta: A. Vella, L. Ferreira, Z. Brincat (J. Bekjiri), T. Veronese, K. Magro, D. Ifeanyi Nworah (C. Camilleri), T. Farrugia, D. Xuereb, D. Zarate Bilbao (N. Farrugia), I. Maric, JR Ekani.
Gzira: J. Haber, G. Muir, S. Diamoutene, S. Kamana, S. Borg, M. Avila Perez, R. Briffa, A. Cohen (Z. Scerri), J.Corbolan, N. Okoye, S. (N. Muscat) .
Referee: AM Sant.
Asst refs: J. Spiteri, L. Portelli.
4th official: M. Spiteri.
Scorers: S. Kamana (og), M. Avila Perez, S. Tounkara, T. Farrugia
Yellow cards: K. Magro, JR. Ekani, M. Avila Perez,
Player of the match: M. Avila Perez.
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Avila Perez, 2. R. Briffa, 3. K. Magro
Mosta fought back from 2-1 in arrears to earn a precious point from a 1-1 draw against second placed Gzira United.
Mosta had taken an early lead through an own goal from Kamana, but Avila Perez equalised before the interval for Gzira after Cohen had missed a penalty. In the second half, Tounkara shot Gzira in the lead from a second penalty, but Mosta hit back through defender Farrugia in added time.
The point moved Gzira to second place on 21 points, one behind leaders Valletta who will be in action today against Hibernians. Mosta remained ninth on 11 points.
Mosta had the better start taking the lead early, but Gzira fought back gallantly to earn an equaliser a few minutes before the end of the half.
The two teams appeared to be well balanced, but the two defences were too strong for their opposing forwards and the 1-1 result was fair, even if Gzira contrived to miss a penalty through veteran Cohen whose weak effort was easily saved by goalie Vella.
In the second half, Gzira appeared to be more adventurous and even looked heading for a win after taking the lead from a second penalty. But the Blues had other ideas and eventually managed to secure a deserved point with an equaliser near the end.
Mosta took the lead on the ninth minute when Thomas Veronese crossed over from the left flank; Haber was surprised by a Sem Kamana deflection and the ball ended at the back of the net.
On 18 minutes, Ferreira won a ball off Gzira's Diamoutene in midfield; he advanced unhindered but his shot sailed harmlessly over the bar.
Gzira replied a minute later with a good Avila Perez grounder which also went wide.
On 20 minutes, Mosta again threatened seriously. It was Ifeanwi Nworah who set Ekani on the right, the latter crossed over where Dexter Xuereb could hit first time only for goalie Justin Haber to block in two attempts.
There was controversy on the 30th minute when Gzira were awarded a penalty after Ekani appeared to have cleared the ball but Okoye finished on the ground in the area. After several protests, from the resultant spot-kick, Cohen's feeble effort was blocked by goalie Andreas Vella.
Gzira equalised on 35 minutes. It was Briffa who set Cohen on the left; the latter quickly transferred the ball to Moises Avila Perez who first timed a beauty into the net, giving Vella no chance.
Both sides had a good chance at the start of the second half. First it was Mosta who had a low shot from Ifeani Nworah being saved by Haber. At the other end, it was Cohen who had a good shot blocked by a Mosta defender.
In the 52nd minute, after a prolonged Gzira move, a shot by Avila Perez just missed the target with goalie Vella beaten. Soon after, Briffa set Okoye in the Mosta area, but goalie Vella rushed out of his charge to block.
Gzira were awarded a second penalty on 58 minutes. Ekani evidently pushed Cohen when the latter was on the point of shooting at goal. From the spot-kick, it was Tounkara who converted in style to give the Maroons the lead.
Mosta had a good chance to equalise on the 65th minute. It was Ferreira who advanced on the right only to shoot wide from an angle.
Gzira should have scored again on 78 minutes. It was Avila Perez who set Corbolan in the middle of the Mosta area, but he hit weakly when unhindered and Zarate could clear with ease.
In the 87th minute, from a Ferreira cross, it was newcomer Calvin Camilleri who had a shot blocked by Kamana.
Mosta kept fighting and a minute later it was 2-2 as from a Ferreira cross, Tyrone Farrugia, up with his forwards, flicked past Haber into the net.
Luckless Naxxar gunned down by slick Spartans
Hamrun S 2
Naxxar L 0
Hamrun S. J. Galea, M. J. Marinho (P. Chircop), D. Zerafa, T. Agius, T. Caruana, C. Zaccardo, L. Micallef (K. Micallef), T. Espindola,F. M Clavero (L. Sciberras), D. Camilleri, CP Henrique.
Naxxar: C. Nicht, S. Fenwick, R. Grech (J. Debono), D. Bonnici, R G. Cassar, D. Bustos, M. Fenech (D. Falzon), E. Ndoye, A. Cascaval, A. Mendy, Y. Messias.
Referee: T. Farrugia Cann.
Asst refs: R. Vella, P. Abela.
4th official: P. Farrugia.
Scorers: M. Clavero, T. Espindola,
Yellow cards: R.G. Cassar, R. Grech, T. Agius,
Player of the match: M. Clavero.
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Clavero, 2. E. Ndoye; 3. T. Espindola.
Attendance: 622
A luckless Naxxar side suffered another defeat - their fifth - at the hands of a slick Hamrun side in yesterday's second match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun.
Goals from Espindola in the first half and Clavero in the second gave the Spartans the opportunity to collect another three points which keep them in a very healthy 7th place with 16 points.
On their part, the Lions remain in 12th place with just six points.
In the first half, Naxxar had a lot more possession than the Spartans, but at the end, they had precious little to show.
In fact, after creating the only scoring opportunities, they succumbed to a Hamrun goal and from then on, they appeared shocked as the Spartans maintained control till the end of the period.
In the second half, Naxxar again seemed to have been enjoying more possession until they suffered a second Spartans goal in a swift counterattack which killed all their hopes. Till the end, they could not find a way past a solid Hamrun rearguard.
Naxxar were first to threaten on 10 minutes. It was Messias who tested Jake Galea in the Hamrun goal, but the goalie was equal to the task.
The Lions went close again on 16 minutes through a Messias low shot which beat Galea, but the ball hit the upright.
On the 27th minute, Bastos tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his rising shot went just over.
As the Lions insisted, it was again Messias who produced a good effort which Hamrun goalie Galea, however, turned to corner in style.
Hamrun's first chance arrived in the 38th minute. Dale Camilleri advanced on the flank to cross low for Triston Caruana to shoot wildly over the bar from an ideal position.
It was the prelude to Hamrun's goal as a minute later, it was Zaccardo who entered the area and set Marino Clavero for the latter to hit home.
The second half had a very quiet start with Naxxar enjoying more ball possession but without being dangerous.
And, in a swift counter attack, it was Hamrun who added a second goal in the 64th minute, when Terence Agius set Thiago Espindola who, completely unmarked, had no difficulty in beating goalie Nicht.
In the 81st minute, Naxxar had a Fenwick goal disallowed after an infringement in the Hamrun area.
Three minutes later, Espindola was through on the left flank, but goalie Nicht somehow managed to block.