Tarxien Rainbows 0

Marsaxlokk 1

Marsaxlokk beat Tarxien Rainbows in a low profile match to move temporarily to second place in the standings, a point above Birkirkara, who face leaders Valletta this afternoon.

Marsaxlokk who qualified to the Championship Pool thanks to a last second dramatic equalizer against Qormi, are now a transformed side and are surely a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season.

Both sides had their good moments in an otherwise chaotic match. Marsaxlokk won the contest thanks to a Julio Alcorse goal early in the second half, with the same player missing a sitter in stoppage time. The inclusion of Guerreiro worked wonders as he started the move of the winner.

Tarxien have only themselves to blame for another setback. They missed a penalty late in the match when Pachecho could only hit the post from the spot and even had Justin Grioli sent off on the hour when he was booked twice in the space of three minutes soon after Marsaxlokk’s goal.

Gareth Sciberras, Martin Deanov and Rumen Galabov were the best for the winners, apart from Guerreiro’s good contribution. For Tarxien, Pacheco, the returning Mariano Bueno and Cristiano Rodriguez seem to have completely lost their first phase dazzling form.

In the first minute the Tarxien goalkeeper had to charge out of position to block Galabov. Marsaxlokk were the better team in the opening stages with Pullicino, Sciberras, Deanov and Eboh in full command in midfield.

Carlo Mamo’s shot from a distance went inches wide. Marsaxlokk’s territorial superiority failed to produce further scoring chances in the first 30 minutes of the match. Tarxien had a good chance after 31 minutes but Rodriguez miskicked from a very good position, and a minute later an Anonam goal was disallowed for an offside position.

Pacheco tested keeper Gauci direct from a freekick as Tarxien were now playing better. Marsaxlokk had a fast break three minutes from half time with Licari shooting well over the bar.

The second half started with Marsaxlokk losing possession of the ball, Rodriguez surged forward but his effort did not worry Reuben Gauci. On 50 minutes Grioli pounced on a loose ball, but shot completely off target.

On 55 minutes Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi made the first change introducing Portuguese Reuben Guerrero for Eboh. His inclusion worked wonders as two minutes later the Portuguese started the move which paved way for Julio Alcorse’s goal with a powerful drive from the heart of the penalty area.

Immediately after suffering the goal the Rainbows suffered another blow when in the space of three minutes Grioli was booked twice, leaving Tarxien with ten players for the rest of the match.

Tarxien did not throw in the towel however as Bueno dribbled past the goalkeeper but Luke Vella Critien did not connect to the Brazilian’s cross. Substitute Ricardo Costa came very close to the equalizing goal with a shot from well outside the area missing the post by a whisker.

On the other end Guerreiro had a good shot on the turn going slightly wide, whilst Deanov should have done better some minutes later hitting wide after a well orchestrated Marsaxlokk move.

Eight minutes from time keeper Gauci saved his side tipping to a corner a Costa header. Five minutes from time came Tarxien’s lifeline when Licari handled the ball inside the box, with referee Borg awarding the penalty. But Pacheco’s shot from the penalty spot hit the base of the upright.

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

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, T. Templeman, M. Deanov (R. Darmanin), E. Yanchev, R. Galabov, C. Mamo, P. Pullicino (A. Spiteri), J. Alcorse, M. Licari, S. Eboh (R. Guerreiro), G. Sciberras.

Referee: M. Borg

Asst. referees: I. Spiteri, M. Scerri, 4th official: P. Caruana

Scorer: J. Alcorse 57

Yellow cards: T. Templeman, M. Deanov, J. Grioli, S. Sadowski, M. Licari

Red card: J. Grioli

Player of the match: J. Alcorse (Marsaxlokk)

TMI top 3: 1. G. Sciberras 2. M. Deanov 3. G. Calabretta.

Attendance: 553

BOV League Div III

Gudja U-Swieqi 2-0

Mtarfa-St Venera 0-1