Tarxien R 2

Senglea A 0

Tarxien Rainbows returned to winning form beating Senglea with two second half goals. The Rainbows coming from a rather lean period in which they only gained a point from their last three matches, fully deserved their win. This result puts Tarxien back in the hunt even if they have to hope in some slip by Hamrun and Mqabba.

The match was pleasant to watch with Tarxien’s Alan Tabone and Omar Grech the best on the field.

Senglea made an impressive start with Stefan Farrugia blocking in time a dangerous Dozie incursion. From the resultant corner taken by Silvio Sciberras the same Dozie headed over the bar from three meters.

After this initial good patch Senglea reduced their tempo and the Rainbows started to settle down. Omar Grech tried his luck from 25 meters but his effort went slightly wide.

On 15 minutes Tarxien were unlucky not to take the lead when from an Alan Tabone precise cross, Simon Shead headed against the post.

Tarxien dominated the last part of the first half as they pressed their opponents in their own half.

The second half started with a Matthew Borg effort sailing over the bar. Tarxien hit back with a Darmanin header going inches wide. On the hour an Okoro header was cleared off the line by Erin Azzopardi.

On the hour Senglea had two good opportunities from a Silvio Sciberras freekick that was brilliantly saved by Curmi and from the resultant corner Dozie’s header beat Curmi but midfielder Omar Grech saved his side by clearing the danger from the goal line.

On 67 minutes Tarxien forged ahead when from a Sadowski cross from the right, Ryan Darmanin headed beautifully in. Seven minujtes later Tarxien increased their lead when Simon Shead beat the offside trap to beat Attard with a precise lob.

Mqabba 3

Qormi 2

Mqabba consolidated their lead and made a great stride towards the Premier League when they beat a gallant Qormi side by the odd goal in five.

It was one of the best matches of the season between two of the best sides. It was a match that produced some excellent moves from both sides with the result in the balance till the final whistle. To be fair Qormi did not deserve to leave the field empty handed as they dominated the match for long periods.

But the leaders confirmed that they have a great potential and took the chances that came their way to gain a decisive victory. A victory that completely eliminates Qormi from the final run, as only a win was useful for the boys in yellow.

Qormi were the dominant force in the first half, as they outclassed their opponents in the midfield sector. Joseph Farrugia was outstanding, together with Thomas Paris and Jane Talcevski. In attack, Johann Zammit and Michael Borg Olivier kept the Mqabba defence under constant pressure.

Johann Zammit tried his luck after only five minutes but his shot went well over the bar. Three minutes later Edward Azzopardi’s scorcher was saved by Calleja.

Qormi continued to push forward and a Thomas Paris rising shot went inches high. On 16 minutes Calleja made a great save when he dived backwards to save a Michael Borg Olivier shot.

Mqabba’s forwards, John Paul Muscat and Nicolo Baldacchino found the going tough as they rarely worried Matthew Farrugia. On 42 minutes Qormi took a deserved lead when Jospeh Farrugia passed to Michael Borg Oliver who neatly went past a defender before hammering in the top corner of the net for a great goal.

However Qormi’s joy was shortlived as Mqabba were back on level terms two minutes later thanks to a disputed penalty won by John Paul Muscat who was floored by goalkeeper Farrugia. From the penalty spot veteran Albert Busuttil made no mistake.

In the second half Qormi continued to dominate with Zammit blasting over the bar from an ideal position and a Talcevski shot went inches wide. On 62 minutes Qormi deservedly took the lead when a Talcevski bombshell hit Bonnici’s hands and the referee awarded the second dubious penalty of the match, from which Johann Zammit drove powerfully home.

However Qormi’s second lead was only enjoyed for five minutes as the leaders were back on level terms when defender Antonio Saliba committed an unlucky own goal in an attempt to clear, after goalkeeper Farrugia had partially saved a Baldacchino grounder.

With Qormi pushing everything forward, Mqabba punished them eight minutes from time when Nicolo Baldacchino was kept in play by Edward Azzopardi and the ex-Floriana striker easily dribbled past Farrugia to score the winner.

Two minutes from time Qormi captain Joseph Saliba marred a very good performance when he was sent off for a brutal foul on Gilbert Scerri.