Tarxien 2
Hamrun S. 3
Tarxien: R. Briffa, T. Veronese, D. Mambouana, M. Spiteri, M. Gomez, A. Andrejic, M. Jelic (G. Camilleri 46), B. Farrugia (B. Muscat 83), D. Zerafa, A. Tenorio, M. Stanojevic (M. Ciantar 89),
Hamrun S.: JC Debattista, T. Caruana, J. Soares, W. Domoroud, C. Failla, N. Leone (R. Darmanin 72), L. Soufiane (B. Schembri 89), M. Criaco, K. Micallef, O. Nikolopoulos, M. Cinquini
Referee: D. Portelli
Asst refs: C. Francalanza, J. Muscat
4th official: T. Farrugia Cann
Scorers: L. Soufiane 15, T. Veronese 19, W. Domoraud 60, 83 pen., A. Andrejic 61
Yellow cards: K. Micallef 30, B. Farrugia 38, M. Stanojevic 44, T. Farrugia 45, D. Mambouane 45, M. Spiteri 56
Red cards: D. Mambouane 45, E. Bartolo 45
BoV Player of the match: W. Domoraud
TMI Top 3: 1. W. Domoraud, 2. L. Soufiane, 3. R. Briffa
Attendance: 318.
Hamrun Spartans registered their first seasonal win when they beat a 10-man Tarxien Rainbows side by the odd goal in five
Wilfried Domoraud was their hero scoring a brace in the second half, including the winner from the penalty spot. Lagzir Soufiane had given them the lead in the first half, but Tarxien fought back on two occasions to equalise (1-1 and 2-2) before Domoraud's penalty goal.
The victory lifts Hamrun into second place on the five-point mark, one behind leaders Floriana who have played a match fewer. Tarxien remain firmly anchored at the bottom with no points from their opening three matches.
The first half was a somewhat balanced affair though the Spartans might have had slightly more possession.
They seemed to be on the winning track when they opened the scoring on 15 minutes, but Tarxien hit back quickly to score an equaliser with a splendid long distance shot.
The Spartans created the better scoring chances till the end of the first half and also saw the post (and goalie Briffa) denying them once again. But at the interval, the score was still locked on 1-1.
Near the end of the half, a hot argument ensued on the edge of the Hamrun area between Destin Mabouane of Tarxien and Triston Caruana of the Spartans. It seemed to have ended with the showing of a yellow card to both players by referee Portelli, but at the latter's whistle for the end of the first half, some Hamrun reserve players and officials protested hotly not only with the official, but also with the same Mambouane who was seen being pushed away from the fray by one of his team-mates.
In the second half, the Spartans enjoyed territorial superiority mostly due to the fact that Mambouane was dismissed before entering the dressing room at half time.
But they had to struggle more than expected before they finally earned their victory through that penalty goal from Domoraud.
Hamrun started the match on attack and went close on seven minutes when Soares set Soufiane whose first time effort hit the underpart of the crossbar and was eventually cleared by the Tarxien defenders.
The Spartans deservedly took the lead on the 15th minute when Marco Criaco crossed low into the area and Lagzir Soufaine made no mistake with a fine left foot shot which had goalie Rudy Briffa beaten all ends up.
Four minutes later, Tarxien equalised with an excellent goal from Thomas Veronese, whose fine rising shot from about 25 metres ended in the top corner.
Moments later, it was Brooke Farrugia who tested goalie Debattista, but the Spartans goalie was equal to the task.
Near the end of the half there was the incident mentioned above. Later it became known that Mambouane and Hamrun reserve goalkeeper Emmanuel Bartolo were both shown the red card on their way into the dressing room.
Thus Tarxien had to continue playing the whole second half in 10 men.
In the 49th minute, Soufiane was through in the Tarxien area, but goalie Briffa saved his fort by blocking to corner.
Three minutes later, as Hamrun insisted on attack, it was Soares who had a grounder just missing the target.
In the 55th minute, from a Cinquini cross, a spectacular Domoraud overhead kick went over the bar.
On the hour, Hamrun obtained their justified reward as from a Criaco cross, it was Wilfried Domoraud who connected perfectly to score with ease.
Soon after, however, the two teams were back on level terms when Failla failed to clear a cross properly; the ball fell into the path of Aleksa Andrejic who had no difficulty in blasting the ball home.
In the 74th minute, Hamrun were denied by the post for a third time as a shot from Soares was saved by goalie Briffa with the help of the post.
Three minutes later, in a rare Tarxien attack, Farrugia had a low, angled shot saved by Debattista.
At the other end, Briffa had to dive to save a low Soares effort.
Hamrun were awarded a penalty in the 82nd minute when Briffa tripped Domoraud. From the spot-kick, the same Domoraud made no mistake.
It proved to be the winner for Hamrun's first seasonal win.