Qormi came from behind to beat Tarxien Rainbows with two well taken goals in the second half, after the Rainbows had almost dominated the first part of the match and looked capable of clinching the points themselves.

This win may serve as a morale booster and give their season a turn in the right direction after their shaky start.

Tarxien could have at least earned a draw, but they were rather profligate in front of goal and wasted too many scoring opportunities.

Both teams were expected to make further strides at this stage of the championship.

They keep making additions to their squad in a bid to improve their position. Yesterday Tarxien gave a debut start to their returning striker Daniel Bueno this season, after finally getting his clearance. Bueno could have scored at least three goals but was either unlucky or foiled by a superlative Matthew Farrugia in the Qormi goal. Towards halftime, Costa was substituted by another Brazilian Sergio Pacheco.

The inclusion of all these foreign recruits left no place for Mark Tanti and Gianluca Calabretta in the Tarxien starting line-up.

Qormi also fielded Brazilian Vinicius Da Silva in defence for the first time, but he was substituted, perhaps for tactical reasons, making way for Joseph Chetcuti at the start of the second half.

Tarxien were the better side in the early exchanges and a Grioli firm header was cleared off the line by Sammut as early as the seventh minute.

After only ten minutes, their goalkeeper Anthony Curmi was injured and had to be replaced by the young David Cassar.

On 18 minutes Tarxien forged ahead. Cristiano Rodriguez received the ball inside the Qormi area, shrugged off his opponent and with keeper Farrugia out of his line, he slotted the ball low at the far post.

It was a soft goal for Qormi to concede and their response came after 25 minutes on a Giglio sailing free kick which Vinicius headed narrowly wide.

Tarxien kept up the pressure. Sammut again cleared off the line a Rodriguez header and then Costa sent his diagonal shot across the face of goal.

Soon after the resumption, Tarxien could have doubled their lead. Bueno ran clear down the right, avoided the onrushing keeper but shot against the foot of the post. Pacheco failed to put his head to Bueno’s subsequent cross on the rebound.

Qormi again tried to regroup. The industry of Farrugia, Mallia and Bartolo in midfield reaped little dividends when the ball fell to the Qormi forwards.

Towards the hour though, Bjedov started to look more menacing up front. His shot on a Bartolo low cross went inches wide.

On 65 minutes Bjedov’s low drive forced keeper Cassar into a fine save, turning the ball into a corner at full stretch. From the resultant Farrugia corner kick and Tarxien’s clearance, Cleaven Frendo scored with a shot on the turn to level matters.

It was more than Qormi deserved at that point, as they upped the tempo and showed more drive to win the game.

On 74 minutes they went ahead with a superb strike from Abubakar who volleyed Bartolo’s cross from the right at the top left hand corner of keeper Cassar.

Tarxien almost equalised on 75 minutes but keeper Farrugia blocked at Bueno’s feet and Grioli’s goalbound effort on the loose ball was cleared out by Vandelanotte.

Tarxien summoned their last efforts to salvage a point. To Bueno fell the best chance when Pereira laid the ball in his path deep into four minutes of added time. Matthew Farrugia blocked his effort with a plucky save. And the Qormi custodian preserved his side the win with a last ditch save, turning into a corner substitute Calbaretta’s goalbound effort.

Qormi: M. Farrugia, C. Frendo (K. Fenech), G. Mallia, R. Sammut, K. Bjedov, B. Abubakar (G. Buttigieg), V. Da Silva (J. Chetcuti), M. Bartolo, S. Giglio, J. Farrugia, J. Vandelanotte

Coach: S. Azzopardi

Tarxien R: A. Curmi (D. Cassar), S. Sadowski, M. Caruana, E. Pereira, R. Costa (S. Pacheco), C. Dos Santos Rodriguez, D. Bueno, L. Vella Critien (G. Calabretta), O. Anonam, R. Mintoff, J. Grioli

Coach: N. Coleiro

Referee: M. Borg

Asst refs: W. Debattista, T. Debono

4th official: E. Azzopardi

Scorers: C. Rodriguez 18, C. Frendo 66, B. Abubakar 74

Yellow cards: B. Abubakar, R. Mintoff, C. Frendo

Player of the match: B. Abubakar (Qormi)

TMI top 3: 1. C. Frendo 2. G. Malli 3. O. Anonam