Mosta                  3
Tarxien R.            1

Mosta: A. Vella, A. DeCerchio, K. Hirose (K. Hirose 90), RA De Oliveira, J. Brincat (D. Xuereb 55), M. Sammartino, M. Gomez (J. Grech 90), T. Farrugia, S. Bonnici, J. Cisotti, R. Romeu

Tarxien R.: A. Cassar, JA Wemmer, R. Rogac, M. Paolucci, D. Falzon (J. De Paixao 55, M. Spiteri 76), A. Agius, L. Grech, A. Scicluna, A. De Barros (M. Brincat 65), R. Faria, A. Nilsson

Referee: S. Pace

Asst refs: W. Debattista, T. Zammit

4th official: P. Farrugia

Scorers: M. Gomez 18, T. Farrugia 45, M. Paolucci 45, J. Brincat 52,

Yellow cards: A. Nilsson 28, S. Bonnici 41, N. De Paixao 61, R. De Oliveira 61, M. Brincat 69, R. Rogac 90.

Player of the match: K. Hirose

TMI Top 3: 1. R. De Oliveira; 2. K. Hirose, 3. M. Paolucci

Mosta obtained their second win of the season yesterday when they beat Tarxien Rainbows 3-1 in yesterday's first game at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun.

First half goals by Misael Miranda Gomez and Tyrone Farrugia gave them a good cushion before Tarxien got one back through Mihele Paolucci. James Brincat then scored a third goal in the second half for which Tarxien had no reply.

Tarxien failed to maintain the promise they had shown when beating St Andrews easily in their previous encounter.

In the first half, Tarxien appeared to be a stronger side, showing the better ideas and enjoying more possession having taken control of midfield.

But it was Mosta who took the lead and went on to add a second before the Rainbows pulled one back just before half time.

In the second half, Mosta were in command, especially after Brincat's third goal which restored their two-goal lead.

Mosta were the first to threaten when on the 3rd minute, Faria saw his overhead kick going just wide.

Four minutes later, at the other end, Mosta goalie Vella saved his side blocking a close range shot from Nilsson.

In the 16th minute, Nilsson again went close with a shot that beat goalie Vella, but the ball hit the upright.

But it was Mosta who went ahead against the run of play on 18 minutes through Misael Miranda Gomez who hit home a grounder.

Tarxien reacted and in the 29th minute, a Wemmer cross passed across goal but found no takers and moments later, Michele Paolucci thought he had equalised, but he was flagged offside.

On 35 minutes, a fine Mosta move involving De Oliveira, Cisotti and Brincat ended with the latter missing a great opportunity, hitting wide with only the goalie to beat.

Moments later, Mosta goalie Vella was called into action to save a Darren Falzon freekick.

In the 44th minute, it was Tarxien goalie Cassar who saved his side turning to corner in style a Hirose scorcher. But from the resulting cornerkick, he could no nothing to stop Tyrone Farrugia from adding a second for the Blues.

Just before the interval, Tarxien pulled one back through Michele Paolucci who beat Vella with a low shot.

On 52 minutes, Mosta restored their two-goal lead through James Brincat who received a perfect through pass from Gomez to beat Cassar.

In the 67th minute, De Oliveira set Hirose in the Tarxien area, but goalie Cassar blocked to a corner.

On 82 minutes, it was De Oliveira who tried his luck with a fine dipper, but his effort went just over.

The Rainbows never appeared to be making a rally to save the match and Mosta could cruise home comfortably.