Runaway leaders Valletta keep piling up the points. Tarxien Rainbows keep up the chase. Their win at the weekend put them alone in second place although a distant seven points from the leaders. Are Tarxien capable of maintaining the challenge, still with a long way to go? Silvio Vella analyses how the teams fared so far
Valletta retained their seven-point lead at the top of the BOV Premier League, with two wins, against Hamrun Spartans and Vittoriosa Stars, within five days.
The chasing pack, with the exception of Tarxien Rainbows, have lost further ground.
Floriana and Marsaxlokk failed to win their matches at the weekend and they have now been overtaken by other teams in the standings.
Floriana’s match against Hibernians was always going to be a stern test for the Greens, since Hibernians could not afford to drop more points. The match ended in a 1-1 draw but Hibernians, besides ending their four-match goal drought, gave a spirited performance. Coach Mark Miller made changes to his line-up, albeit some forced ones, but some of the new faces on show showed more commitment and passion than in previous matches.
That badly needed win has eluded them again although they could have won the match towards the end. A draw, however, was a fair result.
Despite their offensive set-up, with Ryan Darmanin, Mecerod and Ivan Woods up front, Floriana were always cautious, not to lose. And they looked happy with a point at the end, even if they have now dropped to fourth place.
Marsaxlokk suffered their second consecutive defeat, going down to the in-form Tarxien, despite taking an early lead.
They were undone by three Tarxien goals in the space of 20 minutes in the first half and although they pulled one back before the break, Curmi’s boys failed to salvage at least a point although they went close in the second half, and ended up conceding a fourth in the dying minutes. To be fair, Marsaxlokk have goalkeeper Rueben Gauci to thank for sparing them from further derision as their defence at times looked slow against speedy opposition like that of Tarxien.
Two other teams, Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers, who are struggling to find their form and consistency, also drew their match on Sunday.
An eventful first half had Birkirkara’s Alan Tabone as the protagonist. He procured a very controversial penalty, when his extended foot came into contact with Sliema’ Gatt Baldacchino who was about to clear, which he himself converted. And then he caught the Sliema keeper Aktpan off his line and beat him with a delicate chip.
Sliema fully deserved the draw in the second half. But Birkirkara are not the solid back four that won them the Championship last season. Already struggling without the injured Vukanac, the Stripes looked uncomfortable at the back when Sliema started to mount some sustained pressure in the second half. Ryan Harding is too slow and erratic at times. Joseph Zerafa looked nervous and keeper Michael Fraser is far from inspirational. No wonder they found it hard to cope with the pace of Obiefule, Lima and Mintoff. The point suits the champions more though as they lifted themselves to fifth place in the standings.
Buoyed by the return of Obiefule, Sliema produced some good football in flashes. They may feel hard done by the penalty incident and their president’s frustration showed by halftime as je verbally confronted the referee and was dismissed from the bench. Without a win in five matches, coach Mark Marlow keeps ruing the absences of his injured players, but now that most of them are back, or about to return to full fitness, there cannot be any more excuses.
Hamrun Spartans keep grinding out results without playing so good. They amassed six points from their last three matches but their performances were far from convincing. Against Qormi on Sunday they failed to hold the initiative, even when playing against ten men. Worse still they had to soak much of their opponents’ pressure. Yet, if Gaetan Spiteri keeps scoring, Hamrun’s chances remain realistic. They are third, only one point behind Tarxien Rainbows.
By contrast, Qormi should be more ruthless in front of goal if they are to win matches. Their build-up play surely deserves more, but their finishing lacks the required bite. In the absence of Bjedov, Bello-Osagie was given the nod against Hamrun, but the striker clearly showed he is not yet fully fit. Joseph Chetcuti is no goal poacher and Qormi need reinforcements in attack……….and fast.
One last mention for Tarxien Rainbows who, Valletta apart, are undoubtedly the most in-form team at present. Unbeaten in five matches, their success depends on the quality of their five foreign players and especially Brazilians Pacheco and Rodriguez, the engineers of their success. The other players fit in around them. Meanwhile the Tarxien bandwagon keeps rolling - final destination unknown!
Best player
Steve Borg (Valletta)
It’s about time the Valletta defender gets recognition for the velvet patch he is passing through this season.
A Mosta product, Borg has won a regular place in the team from the capital and has equally shown his strong defending qualities both at right back as well as centre back.
He also scored his first league goal for Valletta against Hamrun Spartans in midweek.
Renowned for his long throw-ins, Steve Borg is one of a rare defensive breed in the Premier League.
Top scorers
7 goals Alfred Effiong (Marsaxlokk), Terence Scerri (Valletta)
5 goals Gaetan Spiteri (Hamrun S.)
4 goals Paul McManus (Hibernians), Marcelo Pereira (Hamrun S.), Kevin Sammut (Valletta), E. Lattes (Birkirkara), D. Rocha dos Santos (Valletta), S. Pacheco (Tarxien R)
3 goals George Mallia (Qormi), Obinna Obiefule (Sliema), R. Costa (Tarxien R.), Andrew Cohen, DM Bueno, C. dos Santos Rodrigues (Tarxien R.), Dene Shields (Hamrun S.), Michael Galea, T. Vella (both B’Kara), A. Ewurum (Vittoriosa)
Next matches
Friday 10 December
(at Hamrun Stadium)
7.30pm Hamrun S.-Tarxien R.
Sunday 12 December
(at Hibernians Stadium)
2pm Qormi-Vittoriosa S.
4pm Sliema W-Marsaxlokk
Monday 13 December
(at Ta’ Qali Stadium)
2pm Floriana-Birkirkara
4pm Valletta-Hibernains