Both teams were in search of the first league points, after Tarxien Rainbows had lost both matches so far and Hamrun were stripped of their three points won against Balzan Youths for fielding an ineligible player in that match.

They both had to fight hard to earn a point apiece at the end, following a dour first half but an exciting ensuing second, during which Hamrun carved the clearest chances but failed to capitalise after Tarxien had taken an early lead after the restart but then fizzled away in the final half hour.

Tarxien preferred Manuel Caruana in midfield instead of Stefan Giglio but otherwise started with the same four Brazilians before Sagiuino went in for an improved Galvao.

Hamrun, reeling from a Valletta defeat and the loss of three points, needed some real tonic. Rupert Mangion was reinstated in midfield to produce a high work rate, with Swiss Carlo Polli starting as right back. Calabretta and Ribeiro were facing their former team.

The first half hour was rather tense with both sets of players fighting for every ball. Unfortunately, all the mascular endeavour left little space for good football. Hamrun’s central defender Roderick Fenech fell awkwardly and injured his shoulder in a challenge with Tarxien’s Galvao and had to be substituted after only 20 minutes.

Hamrun were forced to change tactically, with Massimo Grima dropping in the heart of the defence, Kevin Sammut moving to central midfield and substitute Luis Fernando Silva deployed wide on the right flank.

In the early stages, both sides had carved half chances. Both fluffed them. After two minutes, Bueno played one-two with Galvao but skied the ball from a promising position. On the other end, on a Calabretta cross, Grima shot narrowly over.

Tarxien threatened again towards the quarter hour when the Hamrun defence failed to clear a Ricardo cross from the left. The unmarked Galvao hit the side netting.

Hamrun again went close on 17 minutes when Fenech contacted well to Sammut’s pass inside the Tarxien area but shot wide before eventually being substituted.

When the tide abated, Hamrun created another opportunity before halftime but Calabretta’s shot on substitute Silva’s pass was blocked.

Tarxien put in Karl Pulo for Carabott at the start of the second period and took only one minute to break the deadlock. Bueno played the ball low to Ricardo Costa who cut through the middle and unleashed a central shot that left keeper Borg hooked to his line.

Minutes later, Galvao beat the Hamrun defence, had the time to chest the ball but his shot was deflected into a corner by Garcesa.

Tarxien again looked menacing on 54 minutes. Bueno reached before Grima on Pulo’s pass but shot horrendously over.

That heralded Tarxien’s best spell. Hamrun suddenly jerked into shape after that and started to look the better team. On 57 minutes Grima floated a long ball which was chased by Spiteri but keeper Cassar stretched himself to save.

That was the prelude to Hamrun’s goal. Only a minute later, Ribeiro’s cross from the left was headed by Spiteri towards the middle and the unattended Luis Silva beat keeper Cassar with a close header.

The Spartans should have won the match with two clear chances within as many minutes midway through the second half. Sammut’s pass beat Tarxien’s offside trap but Spiteri failed to capitalise as he was thwarted by Cassar’s superb block. Then Spiteri missed a more glaring opportunity. Provided with a good ball after Sammut had won a challenge with Pereira outside the area, Spiteri lobbed the ball incredulously wide with only the keeper to beat.

With the erratic Bueno twice having shots blocked by the Hamrun defence, the game’s last and best chance again fell to Hamrun. Ribeiro again ran through the middle. His powerful drive was slightly deflected by keeper Cassar, with the ball rebounding off the bar into a corner to deny Hamrun a dramatic win.

Tarxien R D. Cassar, C. Sammut, M. Caruana, E. Pereira, A. Carabott (K. Pulo), R. Costa, R. Galvao (C. Suguino), D. Bueno, O. Anonam, L. Galea, J. Grioli

Coach N. Coleiro

Hamrun S O. Borg, M. Gauci, N. Gacesa, R. Fenech (L. Silva), M. Grima, C. Polli, R. Mangion (L. Agius), K. Sammut, G. Calabretta, A. Ribeiro, G. Spiteri (D. Camilleri)

Coach J. Zammit

Referee A. Arciola

Asst.refs I. Spiteri, I. Spiteri

4th official C. Lautier

Scorers R. Costa 46, L. Silva 58

Yellow cards G. Spiteri, M. Grima, E. Pereira, D. Cassar, A. Ribeiro. C. Sammut

Player of the match Rupert Mangion (Hamrun S)

TMI top 3 1. D. Cassar 2. K. Sammut 3. R. Mangion