Tarxien make further progress as pressure piles on Hibernians

Tarxien R.-Hibernians 2-0

Tarxien R: D. Cassar, S. Sadowski, E. Pereira, G. Calabretta (M. Caruana), R. Costa, C. Rodriguez, S. Pacheco (S. Hili), M. Tanti (R. Mintoff), O. Anonam, L. Galea, J. Grioli - Coach: N. Coleiro

Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, M. Clarke, A. Xuereb (T. Caruana), R. Hart, J. Pearson, P. McManus, Z. Levnaic, A. Cohen (B. Kristensen), J.P. Farrugia, E. Herrera - Coach: M. Miller

Referee: A. Azzopardi, Asst.refs: K. Borg, M. Debono, 4th official: M. Apap

Scorers: J. Pearson (og) 2, S. Pacheco 74

Yellow cards: A. Xuereb, M. Caruana

Player of the match: S. Pacheco (Tarxien R)

TMI top 3: 1. O. Anonam 2. D. Cassar 3. J.P. Farrugia

This colourful derby from both sets of noisy supporters went Tarxien’s way as Noel Coleiro’s boys lifted themselves into second place, four points adrift of leaders Valletta, although they have played a game more.

An early soft own goal by Hibernians, put Tarxien in the driving seat but the Rainbows continued to sparkle, thanks mostly to the scintillating form of their three influential Brazilians.

But the defensive qualities of both their keeper David Cassar and Orosco Anonam also deserve special mention.

Hibernians’ win in the FA Trophy the previous week failed to inject the needed verve into Mark Miller’s team who remain winless in seven consecutive league matches.

They seem to have run out of ideas and the early season optimism is beginning to evaporate into the grind of a Premier League winter.

For long periods, their play lacked the invention, pace and penetration to break down Tarxien’s defence.

Hibernians opted to play Clarke in front of the defence once again as Jean Paul Farrugia supported McManus in attack. Richard Hart played in an advance role behind them. Triston Caruana was thus relegated to the bench.

Tarxien also made some changes as Lee Galea partnered the returning Pereira as the two centre backs. Gianluca Calabretta was given a start in the absence of the unfit Daniel Bueno.

The Rainbows could not dream of a better start. Within two minutes of the match’s opening, a clearance by Hibernians keeper Muscat hit Jonathan Pearson and ricocheted into the Paolites’ net.

Galvanised by an early lead, Tarxien showed no inferiority complex. They traded equal punches with their opponents, although all the physical endeavour rendered play mostly chaotic during the first 45 minutes.

Both goalkeepers were up to task, dealing with long crosses which opponents raked inside their area.

Tarxien were causing Hibernians some uncomfortable moments with the forages of Grioli and Calabretta down the right flank.

There were intense moments when Grioli felled Cohen in midfield with a crunching tackle from behind which caused the ire of Hibernians’s assistant coach Lufi. And Calabretta was lucky to escape punishment when he retaliated on a Pulis foul under the watchful eyes of assistant referee Apap.

Hibernians threatened with a couple of headed efforts by Farrugia and Tarxien forced a series of corners which none proved productive.

Towards the end of the half, Tarxien lost possession outside the area, Cohen deep cross caught keeper Cassar out of his line, but Hart’s header went wide.

Hibernians mounted some sustained pressure, probing for an equaliser, at the start of the second half. Keeper Cassar palmed out a McManus cross shot from the right and past the hour the Tarxien alert keeper punched out a Pulis cross when challenged by Clarke. Hart crossed the loose ball but Clarke headed tamely in the keeper’s hands.

On 70 minutes, McManus took too long to control Herrera’s cross and was blocked inside the area.

Shortly after, Tarxien could have wrapped it up themselves, following good work by Costa to Rodriguez who intelligently put Pearson off balance with his run inside the area but shot narrowly off target.

But on 74 minutes Sergio Pacheco made it look relatively easy, beating keeper Muscat with a low strike after breezing inside the Hibernians’ area on a Rodriguez through ball.

Hibernians were completely undone by another piece of Brazilian artistry!