Tarxien R-Birkirkara 1-2

Tarxien R – A. Curmi, S. Sadowski, M. Caruana (W. Chircop), C. Gatt Baldacchino, K. Borg (O. Grech), E. De Lima, M. Tanti (J. Shead), D. Camilleri, R. Schembri, D. Bueno, R. Grech.

Birkirkara – B. Paris, I. Sokolov, S. Bajada (J. Holland), T. Cilia (T. Paris), R. Hartvig, P. Fenech, G. Mallia, A. Buhagiar, M. Galea (K. Dimitrov), J. Zerafa, J.P. Mifsud Triganza.

Referee – A. Azzopardi, Asst. Referees – G. Barbara, A. Camilleri, 4th official – S. Tanti.

Scorers – A. Buhagiar, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, D. Bueno

Yellow cards – A. Buhagiar, J. Zerafa, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, D. Bueno, C. Gatt Baldacchino

Red Card – J.P. Mifsud Triganza

A late Tarxien rally was not enough to save the match as two goals in the first quarter of the match were enough for holders Birkirkara who moved on to semi final stages of the competition.

The goal headed in by Angus Buhagiar after only two minutes play had its toll on the game, as the Stripes immediately put a strong hold over the game. Tarxien played a gallant game, but their efforts were not enough to upset their more fancied opponents.

The Rainbows were practically inexistent in attack in the first half, and improved considerably in the second part with the inclusion of Warren Chircop in attack, but were unlucky not to score a goal that could have opened up the issue on the hour. The goal they scored on 85 minutes proved to be too little too late for Noel Coleiro’s boys.

However some defensive lapses let the Rainbows down, as both goals could have been avoided with more attention, especially the second one.

The Stripes did not set any houses on fire but were still a span above their opponents. Their defence looked solid enough with the towering Hartvig and Sokolov never giving away an inch, apart from their slackness late in the game when Bueno put the Rainbows back in the match.

After barely two minutes play Birkirkara were in the lead when off a Shaun Bajada freekick, former Tarxien and Floriana player Angus Buhagiar rose above friends and foe to head beautifully in.

Tarxien recovered from this early shock as they shared the exchanges with their opponents. David Camilleri and Mark Tanti recovered many balls in midfield, but the Rainbows failed to be dangerous in front of goal.

On 22 minutes Birkirkara went close to scoring a second goal when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza passed to the unmarked Shaun Bajada whose close range shot was brilliantly saved by Curmi. However the Tarxien custodian could do nothing three minutes later when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza robbed Gatt Baldacchino of the ball and from just inside the area he beat Curmi with a precise grounder.

Tarxien hit back two minutes later when goalkeeper Paris had to stretch to save a dangerous Camilleri corner kick. The Stripes controlled Tarxien’s feeble resistance, and went close again with an Angus Buhagiar shot that sailed over the bar.

Tarxien’s best chance came on 43 minutes when following a good Mark Tanti cross from the left, De Lima failed to head home in front of goal. Just before the break, Bueno chested the ball well and served Kevin Borg, who blasted over the bar.

On the resumption Tarxien introduced Warren Chircop to add more punch in attack. On 50 minutes a Bueno shot from the edge of the area slightly missed the target. On 57 minutes luck was not on the Rainbows’ side when a David Camilleri curling corner deceived Paris but the ball smashed against the upright.

On the hour the Stripes missed a sitter when Trevor Cilia pounced on a Tarxien defensive blunder and passed towards the unmarked Michael Galea who failed to connect in front of goal.

The match seemed destined to a quiet end, but it was not to be. Seven minutes from time Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was sent off for dissent after being booked for simulation a minute earlier, and the Rainbows took immediate advantage as they reduced the gap through Bueno who scored from close range after a melee in front of goal.

The match burst into life with a Dimitrov shot slightly missing the target and with the Rainbows doing their best to save the match, but to no avail.