Tarxien R 2

Mellieha 2

Tarxien Rainbows dropped the first points of the season when they were blocked by a gallant Mellieha who scored a late equaliser to snatch a well deserved point.

Tarxien looked set to notch their third victory in a row but a late strike by midfielder Reuben Vella rewarded Mellieha.

The match was very interesting with tarxien showing the better ideas with Simon Muscat showing some neat touches.

However Mellieha were always dangerous in their breaks with player like Calabretta and William Borg in the limelight.

Calabretta should have done better on ten minutes but Tarxien’s Curmi saved well. Six minutes later tarxien’s Simon Shead blasted high from an ideal position.

On 18 minutes another good chance for Tarxien with Caruana heading over the bar.

Just before the break Mellieha took the lead when Calabretta received from Borg St John and passed to the unmarked Ibrahim Tarek who slotted home.

In the second half Tarxien produced a forcing to obtain the equaliser but Mellieha had a golden opportunity at the start, but Hubert Vella missed a sitter after a good William Borg pass.

A Ryan Grech first-timer slightly missed the upright, and Tarxien were back on level terms on 72 minutes.

Substitute Angus Buhagiar made his way inside the area and first-timed into the net. Six minutes from time Tarxien took the lead when Ryan Grech was tripped inside the Mellieha area, and from the resultant penalty Ryan Grech made no mistake.

Mellieha did not give up easily as they reverted all their resources in attack. A minute from time they were rewarded when Ibrahim Tarek passed to the unmarked Reueben Vella who beat Curmi for a well deserved equaliser.

Referee: Saviour Tanti