Mosta 0

Tarxien R 2

Mosta and Tarxien Rainbows were looking for maximum points following defeats in their previous matches. The win went Tarxien’s way, leaving Mosta, who have taken only one point from their three matches played in the Relegation Pool, lingering in the danger zone, one place above the bottom.

The Rainbows were without the suspended Orosco Anonam and dropped both Jimmy Mayasi and Steve Sadowski to the bench, handing starts to the returning Everton Pereira and Adrian Carabott.

Mosta were bereft of the injured Gilbert Martin and used Aboulezz and Mirceta as substitutes in the second half.

Mosta were poor and very rarely have they shown such a collective lack of commitment. This fact alone, more than the desperate defending and toothless forward play, will have caused coach D’Amato to lose sleep last night.

With Obiefule and Zammit starved of service, Mosta only went close with two Falzon efforts in the first half. After nine minutes, he won possession outside the Tarxien area, only for keeper Vella to repel his shot. Past the half hour Falzon put his effort over.

Tarxien always looked sharper on the ball and went ahead with their first genuine attack past the quarter hour. Bueno played a square ball from the left towards Ricardo Costa, who created space for himself before drilling an exquisite shot at the top corner beyond the keeper’s reach.

Tarxien looked menacing again on 38 minutes when Costa played a short free kick for Tanti whose shot forced keeper Debono to save with some difficulty.

Play remained of poor quality in the second half, with the ball kicked to and fro with little purpose, but Tarxien remained superior in midfield thanks to the industry of Tanti, Pulo and Di Castro, as Bueno was prominently involved in most of their build-ups. Towards the hour, Mosta put in Terence Vella for Bajada but Mosta doubled their lead on 62 minutes. Tanti’s corner from the right was headed towards the middle by Pereira for Daniel Bueno to apply the final nod.

Tarxien retreated to defend their lead but Mosta’s response was weak. The Rainbows remained dangerous on the break as Mosta struggled to go past the Tarxien rearguard.

On 78 minutes the Tarxien keeper saved a Falzon free kick and from the fast break, Tanti served Carabott who put Pulo clear but the latter shot wide.

Tarxien kept playing the tune and in the late stages Mosta keeper Debono stretched at full length to hold out Bueno’s grounder and then Carabott twice missed the target from promising positions after good work by Bueno. But by then the Rainbows were bursting with confidence, looking like a team enjoying thei football in the sunshine.

Mosta J. Debono, A. Borg, K. Farrugia, F. Tisbi (P. Mirceta), Y. Ossok, F. Raimy, J.Bajada (T. Vella), K. Magro (F. Aboulezz), D. Falzon, I. Zammit, O. Obiefule

Coach S. D’Amato

Tarxien R N. Vella, C. Mamo, E. Pereira, A. Carabott (W. Zerafa), R. Costa (J. Mayasi), K. Pulo (M. Caruana), M. Tanti, D. Bueno, L. De Castro, R. Mintoff, J. Grioli

Coach P. Curmi

Referee M. Spiteri

Asst.refs W. Debattista, J. Camilleri

4th official A.M. Sant

Scorers R. Costa 16, D. Bueno 62

Yellow cards K. Magro, I. Zammit

Player of the match R. Costa (Tarxien R)

TMI top 3 1. M. Tanti 2. D. Bueno 3.Y. Ossok