Tarxien R.                       2
Senglea A.                       2

Tarxien R. FC: M. Buhagiar, M. Botta (M. Spiteri 60'), J. Wemmer, D. Zerafa, G. Aquilina, D. Mambouana, A. De Barros, M. Tabone (S. Arab 53'), R. Silva Faria, A. Nilsson, J. De Paixao    

Senglea A. FC:   M. Farrugia, T. Marukawa, Z. Cassar (K. Cutajar 77'), N. Mitic (B. Schembri 77'), L. Grech, J. Leyton Gonzalo, D. Venancio, M. Garcia, A. Caseres, A. Mrsuljam C. Sammut (G. Camilleri 57')

Referee: Mario Apap

Asst refs: Alan Camilleri, Thomas Debono

4th official: Darryl Agius

Scorers: G. Aquilina 11', J. Leyton Gonzalo 24', R. Silva Faria 53', L. Grech 88'

Yellow cards: Botta, Garcia, Spiteri

Player of the match: Ricardo Silva Faria (Tarxien R.)

TMI Top 3: 1.  R. Silva Faria        2.  A. Nilsson            3. L. Grech     

Tarxien Rainbows and Senglea Athletic shared the spoils in a direct encounter from the lower part of the table. A point a piece which left both teams in the same position.

This was a clash between two teams trying the avoid the twelfth position which will mean a play off against the team which finishes third in the First Division. 

Tarxien had defeated Qormi in their last outing ending a disappointing run of five consecutive defeats. Senglea were also upbeat since in their last match they thrashed fellow strugglers St. Andrew's scoring five goals without reply.

Tarxien had to do without the suspended Juan Cruz Gill had defeated Senglea by a 2-1 scoreline in the first round match.

The match was rather balanced though Tarxien looked the more motivated team to grab the maximum points at stake. In fact they held the upper hand for a good part of the first half an din the second half after regaining the lead tried to keep their opponents at bay.

Tarxien did the early running and as early as the 3rd minute they went near through a Wemmer shot which was saved byu goalkeeper Farrugia. On six minutes they were rather unlucky when the woodwork prevented them from taking the lead.  First a Da Paixao shot hit the crossbar and from the result rebound NIlsson's headed effort was also held by the bar.

But in the 11th Tarxien deservedly took the lead. Ricardo Faria made his way on the left flank and on entering the box sent a low cross which was met by a sliding Gabriel Aquilina and into the net.  Four minutes later the Rainbows went near once again when off a Wemmer cross from the right side Faria's header just missed out.

But Senglea drew level in the 24th minute. Leighton Grech sent a perfect cross which was met by Julian Leyton Gonzalo who headed past Buhagar for an equalizer.

And just past the half hour a long rang fierce shot from a free kick by Venancio was partially saved by Buhagiar but Grech saw his shot sail over the bar from the resultant rebound.

On resumption Tarxien took only eight minutes to forge ahead once again when Ricardo Silva Faria made the best of a defensive blunder and following a good run he slotted the ball in the corner of the net.

In the 66th minute goalkeeper Buhagiar came to his side's rescue when he splendidly palmed onto a corner a shot from just outside the area by substitute Gary Camilleri.

Eight minutes from the end  of the match Marukawa was set inside the area by his final shot when well placed was deflected into a corner.

And when everything seemed that Tarxien were going to get the maximum points Senglea drew level. It was the 88th minute when Leighton Grech fired a low drive from inside the area which gave Buhagiar no chance at all.

And the Cottonera outfit could have grabbed the win when deep into stoppage time the speedy Grech broke through but his final shot was saved by the Tarxien Rainbows custodian.