Tarxien R. 1

Mosta 0

Tarxien R: D. Cassar, S. Sadowski, M. Caruana (A. Carabott), E. Pereira, R. Costa, R. Saraiva (S. Giglio), D. Bueno, L. Vella Critien (R. Galvao), O. Anonam, L. Galea, J. Grioli

Mosta: J. Debono, L. Martinelli, K. Farrugia, A. Mello da Silva, N. Bogdanovic, I. Zammit (F. Aboulezz), K. Magro, A. Cini (S. Grech), A. Borg, Y. Ossok, M. Mvondo

Referee: F. Zammit

Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, S. Attard

4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: R. Costa 22

Yellow cards: A. Borg, L. Galea, D. Bueno, K. Magro, O. Anonam, R. Galvao

Red card: O. Anonam

Player of the match: R. Costa (Tarxien R)

TMI top 3: 1. A. Mello da Silva 2. K. Magro 3. L. Galea

Tarxien Rainbows obtained their first league win of the season, beating Mosta by Ricardo Costa’s only goal midway through the first half. But there was nothing to shout about.

In fact Mosta may feel aggrieved that they ended up empty handed after holding the initiative for most of the second half, following a dull first 45 minutes of a shoddy match, bereft of real excitement, between two bottom teams.

Both teams are still struggling to find some consistency and, if nothing else, this win might turn a new leaf for gloomy Tarxien.

The Rainbows kept faith with the same players who lost heavily to Qormi the previous week and prompted their coach’s intention to step down, only to be reversed during the week.

Mosta made only one change from the side that lost to Valletta – the return of Glenn Zammit in goal for Debono.

The newly promoted side made the better start when Mello da Silva ended a run with a shot slightly over, and could have opened the score after 19 minutes when, on a Magro long ball, Mvondo beat the offside trap and ran clear inside the Tarxien area. But he hesitated too long and Pereira could block him.

Instead, Tarxien took the lead on 22 minutes. Ricardo Costa took possession on the right, cut through the middle and shot low past keeper Debono between a myriad of legs.

The goal however failed to spark a reaction from Mosta, who remained encamped inside their half and rarely ventured into enemy territory. Zammit’s central shot from outside the area did not bother keeper Cassar.

As sterility continued to spread, Tarxien threatened on 37 minutes from a Grioli corner that caused panic inside the Mosta area but finally Martinelli cleared off the line.

Mosta took the bit between their teeth after the restart and carved enough chances to have at least obtained a draw.

Tarxien, who put in Giglio for the innocuous Saraiva for the second period, had to absorb much of their opponents’ pressure.

On 47 minutes, a Mello da Silva corner was headed towards goal by Cini but Vella Critien blocked on the line.

On 72 minutes, Bogdanovic’s cross from the left fell to Mello da Silva who was foiled by keeper Cassar in two attempts. Eight minutes later, substitute Aboulezz played the ball to Farrugia who crossed deep from the right but Mvondo arrived fractionally late.

Tarxien kept defending grimly and one minute from normal time they had Anonam sent off for a second caution.

Mosta tried to capitalise. With time running out, they increased their efforts as a Martinelli pile driver was tipped over the bar by keeper Cassar. Mosta forced three consecutive corners in as many minutes of added time but they were all unproductive to end up unlucky losers.