Tarxien R. 2

Sliema W. 3

■ Henry Brincat

Sliema Wanderers obtained their first victory of the season in dramatic fashion yesterday evening as they came from 2-0 down to beat Tarxien Rainbows 3-2 in an entertaining match.

It was a richly deserved win for the Wanderers who, after a disappointing first half, played some good attacking football in the second. And despite scoring the two goals that provided them with all the points late in the match, it was Tarxien goalie Cassar who denied them with two excellent saves.

For the Rainbows it was a sheer disappointing ending to a match which seemed to be well under their control.

But the turning point was that penalty miss by Meira Santos which could have seen them taking a 3-1 lead. The same player was later sent off to leave his side ploughing in 10 men, giving Sliema the opportunity to hit back.

The Wanderers had to drop striker Ivan Woods after the latter suffered an injury before kick off. His place was taken by Omar el Ghaouti.

On the other hand, for Tarxien, goalkeeper David Cassar was playing his first match.

In the first half, the Wanderers had the better start and appeared to be settling down well but Tarxien dealt them a blow by taking the lead after 18 minutes.

From then on Tarxien grew in confidence while Sliema appeared to have been shocked.

The Rainbows went on to add a second goal before Sliema pulled one back a few minutes before the interval to remain firmly in contention.

In the second half, Sliema applied hot pressure in an effort to get back on level terms, but it was again Tarxien who should have re-established their two-goal lead but they failed to convert a penalty through Santos who hit wide from the spotkick.

Sliema never threw in the towel and retaliated strongly. At the end, I think they richly deserved the victory for their endless efforts even if the two goals arrived late in the match.

Early on, it was Sliema who took the initiative and also created the first chance. It was Alex Muscat who advanced in the Tarxien area, but his shot was weak and Cassar could save without any difficulty.

Exchanges were then shared equally, but Tarxien eventually opened the scoring on 18 minutes when off a Justin Grioli cross, it was Danilo Meira Santos who headed past the helpless Bonello.

Some minutes later, off a Santos cross, it was Mifsud who cleared to corner, but from the same corner, taken by De Castro, it was again Santos who headed into the net to give his side a comfortable lead.

In the 31st minute, it was again Tarxien who threatened to add a third. Santos gave the dummy to Beppe Muscat and squared low for Bueno, but the latter’s shot went just over.

Sliema were back in the match on the 40th minute when Miguel Ciantar indulged in a personal action before hitting home a fine shot.

Four minutes into the second half, Santos was floored by Mintoff in the area and referee Lautier showed no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded spot. The same Santos, however, missed the opportunity to score his hat-trick as he hit wide from the spot-kick.

In the 55th minute, from a Gonzalez cross, Mifsud headed the ball down for Alex Muscat, but the latter’s shot was central and easily saved by Cassar.

Moments later, the Tarxien goalie ran out to block a dangerous Alex Muscat incursion.

On the 62nd minute, Tarxien went close when a Mariano Bueno effort was cleared to corner in extremis by Mifsud.

Sliema almost equalised on the 68th minute, but El Ghaouti was unlucky to see his fine effort hitting the upright with the Tarxien goalie beaten.

On 78 minutes, Tarxien remained in 10 men when Santos was shown a second yellow card for simulation.

Sliema continued to pile up the pressure and it was Cassar who saved the day for Tarxien on 85 minutes, turning to corner a point-blank effort from Muchardi.

Sliema still persisted and Barbetti went close with a freekick from 25 metres. And they were not to be denied as in the 90th minute, it was El Ghaouti who received a good pass from Muchardi to hit home past Cassar for a deserved equaliser.

It was not over yet as they threatened to win all the three points, Cassar again being Tarxien’s hero, turning to corner in style a Barbetti effort from the edge of the area.

From the same corner, taken by Muchardi, Barbetti’s inswinger deceived everyone and the ball finished at the back of the net for the winner.

The final whistle found Sliema celebrating and Tarxien leaving the pitch with heads held down.

Before yesterday’s two matches, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff who passed away on Monday.

Sliema W.: H. Bonello, J. Mintoff, J. Mifsud, B. Muscat, L. Martinelli, P. Barbetti, P. Gonzalez (M. Scerri), M. Muchardi, A. Muscat (A. Decesare), O. El Ghaouti, M. Ciantar.

Tarxien R.: D. Cassar, C. Mamo, E. Silva des Santos, A. Agius (M. Caruana), D. Meira Santos, K. Pulo (L. Galea), D. Mariano Bueno, O. Anonam, S. Bonnici, LR De Castro (S. Sadowski), J. Grioli.

Referee: C. Lautier.

Asst refs: W. Debattista, C. Francalanza.

4th official: F. Zammit.

Scorers: D. Meira Santos, 17, 26, M. Ciantar 40,

Yellow cards: LR De Castro, P. Barbetti, J. Mintoff, D. Meira Santos, A. Decesare, B. Muscat, J. Grioli

Red card: D. Meira Santos

Player of the match: J. Grioli.

TMI Top 3: 1. E. Silva des Santos; 2. P. Barbetti; 3. J. Grioli.