Senglea 1
Tarxien 2
Senglea: M. Farrugia, M. Bartolo, M. Ivanovic (K. Cutajar 52), F. Salvati, L. Grech, M. Guillari, B. Volpini, B. Gonzalez, Z. Cassar, M. Garcia, T. Tcanturia
Tarxien R.: A. Cassar, R. Rogac, D. Zerafa, M. Brincat (R. Faria 83), M. Paolucci, G. Aquilina, D. Falzon, A. Scicluna, S. Radovanonic, A. De Barros, A. Nilsson (A. De Paixao 74)
Referee: E. Mangion
Asst refs: C. Francalanza, T. Debono
4th official: D. Portelli
Scorers: D. Zerafa 8, M. Paolucci 18, B. Volpini 56
Yellow cards: M. Ivanovic 9, D. Zerafa 41, R. Rogac 59, B. Volpini 71, A. Scicluna 76
Red card: B. Volpini 81
Player of the match: M. Paolucci (Tarxien R.)
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Paolucci, 2. L. Grech, 3. A. Nilsson
Tarxien Rainbows moved to a healthy mid-table place in the standings as they overcame relegation threatened Senglea 2-1 yesterday.
Two first half goals from Daniel Zerafa and a Paolucci penalty by the 18th minute gave them a healthy 2-0 cushion at the interval. Volpini's goal for Senglea proved to be not enough to save the Athletic what would have been a precious point.
The Rainbows now move to 8th place on 12 points, while Senglea remain anchored to the bottom of the table with just four points, the same as Qormi who have a match in hand.
Senglea had to take the field without two of their regulars - Brendon Muscat and Rene Augusto Caseres - as they were ruled out through suspension.
The first half, with the wind blowing behind Senglea's backs, was quite entertaining, but the Rainbows held an edge after taking a two-goal lead by the 18th minute.
From then on, they slowed down their rhythm and Senglea fought back admirably though they were found wanting in their conclusions.
In the second half, Senglea made a bold effort to get back into the match and they did score a goal to reduce the deficit, but it was not enough to see them saving a point.
Senglea created the first opportunity on the second minute when following a Volpini cross, Guillari tried his luck with an overhead kick, but the ball went over.
Tarxien opened the scoring in the 8th minute when from a Brincat freekick Daniel Zerafa's effort hit Senglea defender Salvati on its way into the net.
On 15 minutes Tarxien went close again through a Darren Falzon freekick which was missed by at least two players in front of goal.
Senglea replied immediately. Guillari saw his effort hitting the crossbar and Tcanturia saw his full-blooded effort being blocked by goalie Cassar. A second Tcanturia effort then went well over the bar.
On 18 minutes, Senglea doubled the score when they were awarded a penalty after Ivanovic floored Paolucci in the area. The same player made no mistake from the spotkick.
A few minutes later, Falzon had an effort missing the target and at the other end, a Garcia first timer also missed the post.
The last action before the interval saw Volpini going close for Senglea with a shot going just wide.
Senglea were back in the match in the 56th minute when Leighton Grech advanced on the right flank to float in a fine cross which found Volpini hitting home past Cassar.
At the other end, on the 69th minute, Nilsson set Paolucci in the Senglea area, but his shot was deviated to a corner.
Senglea ended in 10 men on 81 minutes when Volpini saw red following a bad foul. And with a man less, the Rainbows once again took control of midfield and never allowed Senglea to get near to their area again.