Tarxien R           2
Hamrun S          1

Tarxien R: A. Cassar, J. Wemmer, R. Rogac, D. Zerafa, M. Paolucci (M. Spiteri 90'), G. Aquilina, F. Falzon, A. Scicluna (R. Faria 71'), S. Radovanovic, A. De Barros, A. Nilsson.

Hamrun S: E. Bartolo, A. Monticelli, E. Pepe, T. Caruana, S. Nayar, C. Henneberg, M. Ganci (R. Vella 82'), M. Gauci, D. Priso, K. Micallef, K. Tulimieri (B. Schembri 57')

Referee: Alan Mario Sant

Ass.referees: Edward Spiteri, Theodore Zammit

Fourth Official: Alex Johnson

Scorers: G. Aquilina 32', M. Ganci 43' pen, M. Paolucci 85'

Yellow cards: K. Tulimieri 31', S. Nayar 38', A. Cassar 42', A. De Barros 54', C. Henneberg 60',  K. Micallef 65', A. Monticelli 68', A. Nilsson 77', R. Faria 92'

Player of the match: Anderson De Barros (Tarxien R)

TMI Best Three: 1. A. De Barros, 2. J. Wemmer, M. Ganci

Attendance: 720

Hamrun Spartans suffered the first defeat and also the first goals of the season to miss a golden opportunity to move on top of the standings. Tarxien gave a spirited display and deserved their victory with Anderson De Barros in brilliant form.

But the match jhad two rather controversial episodes which led to Hamrun's equaliser and the other one to Tarxien's winner. The penalty awarded to Hamrun was highly debatable and tarxien's winner came after an apparent foul from substitute Faria on Hamrun defender Matthew Gauci.

But apart from these incidents Tarxien were worthy winners as hamrun were not at their best yesterday. Priso had another off day and the returning Henneberg failed to make an impact. Hamrun's usual solid set-up with Nayar and Pepe in defence was rather shaky yesterday as Tarxien had several strikers especially in the second period of the game, when Tarxien coach Borg gambled for the three points at stake.

Both sides had some changes from their last pouting with Tarxien introducing Radovanovic, Daniel Zerafa, and Gabriel Aquilina, and for the Spartans Henneberg was back in the squad after missing the match against St. Andrew's.

In the opening minutes Hamrun had a slight edge over their opponents and an Enrico Pepe close range header was blocked by Cassar. On 32 minutes Tarxien broke the deadlock when De Barros had a surging run before passing towards Gabriel Aquilina whos deflected shot finished past a helpless Bartolo.

Hamrun had an immediate reaction with Karl Micallef passing towards Kevin Tulimieri who shot wide from an ideal position. On 42 minutes Hamrun were awarded a very dubious penalty when Andrea Cassar anticipated Tulimieri and punched the ball, finishing however rather violently on the Hamrun striker. Referee Sant opted for the penalty and Massimo Ganci made no mistake.

On the resumption De Barros crossed towards Paolucci who headed wide. Tarxien started this second half on the attack as the Hamrun defence was under pressure. However on the hour the Tarxien goalkeeper had to block a dangerour Doding Priso cross shot.

Two minutes later Cassar was outstanding when he blocked a close range header from Karl Micallef form a corner action. The match continued to be very balanced with Hamrun increasing their efforts but Tarxien were never under pressure.

Five minutes from time Tarxien scored what proved to be the winner. An Aquilina effort was blocked and from the rebound Michele Paolucci fired home, a goal which the Hamrun players contested as Faria appeared to hold Matthew Grech just before the ball came in Paulucci's path.

Hamrun's desperate forcing in the remaining minutes failed to give the Spartans at least a point as Tarxien defended well to return to victory after their defeat against Mosta in their last outing.