CHRIS CASSAR
Tarxien Rainbows scored two goals in the opening minutes of the second half, and their goalkeeper saved a decisive penalty near the end, as Tarxien knocked out Hamrun Spartans from the U*Bet FA Trophy.
It was a just reward for a good second half performance by the Rainbows, as Hamrun failed to capitalise on a good start in which they took an early penalty lead. After their early lead, Hamrun let their opponents take the initiative and the Rainbows grew in confidence and played the better football. However the Spartans rallied back near the end but the penalty missed by Sultana in the final minutes was fatal for the Spartans as they had to bow out of the competition at such an early stage.
Hamrun took the lead after only two minutes play when John Schembri handled the ball inside the area and from the resultant penalty veteran Stefan Sultana made no mistake.
Tarxien were unlucky to lose playmaker Alan Tabone who limped off injured. However the Rainbows still dictated matters for long stretches but were never really dangerous in front of goal apart from two long range efforts from Sadowski and Omar Grech that were both blocked by goalkeeper Camilleri who was defending the Hamrun goal instead of regular goalkeeper Michael Falzon.
Gaetan Spiteri missed a golden opportunity for the Spartans on 28 minutes when he dribbled past Schembri but his lob went slightly over the bar. Ten minutes later Gaetan Spiteri was again the main culprit when he missed a sitter in front of goal following an Evano Briffa freekick from the right.
The Rainbows’ best chance came near the end of the first half when defender Steve Sadowski shot slightly over the bar from inside the area.
After only 30 seconds from the start of the second half, tarxien were on level terms when Ryan Darmanin scored following a solo effort and after his first shot had hit the crossbar. Hamrun immediately surged forward and a Ryan Fenech shot destined for the back of the net was blocked off the fatal line by Schembri.
On 49 minutes a Rodrick Fenech header slightly missed the crossbar, and on the other end Timotic almost committed an own goal in an attempt to clear.
And from the resultant corner, a melee ensued in front of goal with Aaron Guazzo shooting home from close range.
Hamrun immediately surged forward, but Tarxien defended well with all their players behind the ball. However in the final minutes Hamrun increased the pressure and the Rainbows passed through some anxious moments.
Tarxien goalkeeper Cini stole the show with some brilliant saves in the final minutes. He tipped into a corner a Kevin Borg dangerous cross-shot and minutes later he saved a point blank header from the same Hamrun player.
Two minutes from time referee Esther Farrugia awarded Hamrun their second penalty of the match when Kevin Borg was pushed inside the area. However from the resultant penalty, Cini brought the house down when he blocked Sultana’s bombshell to put Tarxien in the second round of the FA Trophy.
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Tarxien R: S. Cini, S. Sadowski, J. Francica, S. Farrugia, S. Shead, A. Tabone (O. Grech), P. Camilleri, M. Micallef, A. Guazzo (M. Caruana), R. Darmanin (G. Cutajar), J. Schembri.
Hamrun S: R. Camilleri, A. Attard (G. Micallef), B. Timotic, Rodrick Fenech, N. Galea, K. Borg, Ryan Fenech (M. Vella), E. Briffa, E. Briffa, S. Sultana, G. Spiteri, C. Cacciatolo (S. Meilaq).
Referee: Ms. E. Farrugia Ass. Referees: I. Spiteri, P. Agius 4th Official: I. Miller
Scorers: S. Sultana (pen), R. Darmanin, A. Guazzo.
Yellow cards: Ryan Fenech, A. Attard, G. Spiteri, B. Timotic