Tarxien Rainbows 3

Hamrun Spartans 3

Rejuvenated Tarxien Rainbows, inspired by their Brazilian trio of Bueno, Pacheco and Costa, failed to get maximum points their territorial supremacy richly deserved.

Without any pressure whatsoever, both sides went into this match in a relaxed mood and produced six goals betwee them. Tarxien made the better start, taking a two-goal cushion by halftime and were even denied by the woodwork.

But Hamrun, without Pereira and Chipev, worked their way into the match in the second period and rallied to draw 2-2 with 20 minutes remaining. Tarxien could have secured the points with a third goal 12 minutes from time. Still they failed to hold to their lead as Hamrun scored again in the last six minutes to salvage a point that looked beyond them.

Tarxien broke the deadlock as early as the fourth minute when Daniel Bueno headed in Calabretta’s corner from the right at the near post.

They remained sharper on the ball and allowed Hamrun very few openings.

Tarxien threatened again past the quarter hour. Bueno picked a Bonnici headed clearance from the edge of the area but his shot was tipped over into a corner by keeper Borg.

Shortly before the half hour, there were two chances at each end. Hamrun fluffed theirs when Spiteri anticipated Calabretta on the keeper’s pass, advanced but failed to put his effort on target.

Tarxien were more deadly a minute later. Bueno advanced down the left flank, crossed low and when the keeper failed to hold the ball, Sergio Pacheco slotted in with a routine touch.

Hamrun carved a good chance before the break. Mangion played the ball forward to Spiteri who tried to lob over the onrushing keeper Curmi but Mintoff cleared off the line.

Hamrun put in Anizoba for Bonnici after the restart and had a couple of half chances, through Grima and Mangion before Pacheco laid the ball to Bueno who thumped his shot against the bar on 53 minutes.

Past the hour, keeper Borg footed out another Costa effort on a Pacheco cross and on the other end, keeper Curmi rushed off his line to block Anizoba who tried to give some impetus to an otherwise lifeless Hamrun attack.

Hamrun’s goal on 67 minutes seemed to have resurrected them from the death. Falzon’s sailing free kick from the right was headed in by Rupert Mangion at the far top corner.

The much improved Spartans drew level on 73 minutes. Kokavessis sent along ball inside the area from the left, Tarxien’s defence failed to clear and Peter Anizoba beat keeper Curmi from close range.

Tarxien were quick to hit back and after keeper Borg held out Pacheco’s low drive, Ricardo Costa cut through the middle from the left and beat Borg with a low strike.

But Hamrun failed to give up andscored an equaliser six minutes from time, with Gaetan Spiteri heading in from a Kokavessis corner.

Tarxien R: A. Curmi, E. Pereira (L. Galea), G. Calabretta, R. Costa, S. Pacheco, D. Bueno, L. Vella Critien (S. Sadowski), J. Vella, O. Anonam, R. Mintoff, J. Grioli

Hamrun S: O. Borg, S. Bonnici (P. Anizoba), J. Vukanic, R. Fenech, M. Grima, D. Camilleri, L. Agius, R. Mangion, D. Falzon, G. Spiteri, D. Kokavessis

Referee: T. Farrugia Cann

Asst.refs: P. Agius, W. Debattista

4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: D. Bueno 4, S. Pacheco 28, R. Mangion 67, P. Anizoba 73, R. Costa 78, G. Spiteri 84

Yellow cards: S. Pacheco, J. Vella, G. Spiteri

Player of the match: D. Bueno (Tarxien R)

TMI top 3: 1. D. Bueno 2. S. Pacheco 3. R. Mangion

Attendance: 157