Hamrun S. 1

Tarxien R. 1

Hamrun S: A. Cassar, G. Calabretta, D. Camilleri (A. Curmi), M. Grima, R. Spiteri (R. Brightwell), T. Vella, D. Zerafa, A. Ivanov, A. Yoshev, L. Vitanov, A. Vergilov (N. Boznov)

Tarxien R: D. Cassar, C. Mamo, E. Dos Santos Silva, R. Bajada, A. De Souza Esposito, K. Pulo (J, Shead), M. Tanti (A. Agius), D. Bueno, L. Castro (M. Caruana), O. Anonam, J. Grioli

Referee: C. Pisani

Asst.refs: W. Debattista, P. Apap

4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: D. Bueno 36, M. Grima 88 pen

Yellow cards: J. Grioli, M. Grima, A. Vergilov, A. Yoshev, G. Calabretta, M. Caruana, A. Esposito, S. Evaldo

Red card: A. Cassar

Player of the match: Daniel Bueno (Tarxien R)

TMI top 3: 1. A. De Souza Esposito 2. J. Grioli 3. M. Grima

Hamrun goalkeeper Andrea Cassar was again in the headlines yesterday, this time for his dismissal after handling outside the area shortly before the hour. That left his side a man and a goal down, as the Spartans were trailing to a Daniel Bueno first half goal.

But after initially appearing too clumsy and flat, Hamrun’s late response eraned them a penalty two minutes from time and another point that looked beyond them.

Tarxien Rainbows, under the guidance of new coach Clive Mizzi, following the departure of Danilo Doncic after two defeats, looked capable of clinching the first league win of the season yesterday after having the better of their opponents for most of the match. The Rainbows were also buoyed by the introduction of two new players in midfield - the likes of the industrious Rosderick Bajada and the technically gifted Brazilian Andre De Souza Esposito who both left a very good impression. Their incursions through the middle, as well as Grioli’s bursts down the flank and crosses, left Hamrun vulnerable, even if Tarxien lacked the bite to capitalise and finished with only one point – their first so far in three matches.

The suspension of Roderick Fenech forced Hamrun to make some tactical changes as Massimo Grima retreated in central defence alongside Vergilov and David Camilleri started in midfield. And with Terence Scerri a long term casualty now, Terence Vella was given a centre forward role with Ryan Spiteri given a start wide on the left flank.

Both teams struggled to penetrate the opposing defences for the first 24 sterile minutes as the sides stifled each other around their heavily crowded areas.

After that, to Tarxien fell the first real two clear chances of the match. Grioli’s perfect cross from the right found Bueno totally unmarked on the edge of Hamrun’s six-yard box but the striker skied the ball. Three minutes later, Pulo headed the ball back in the path of the unmarked Esposito whose goalbound effort was blcoked into a corner by Grima.

Hamrun were on the backfoot and the Rainbows tried to capitalise. They did in fact take the lead on 36 minutes when awarded a free kick outside the area for a foul by Vergilov. Evaldo’s kick rebounded off the cross bar and with the Hamrun keeper Cassar hooked to his line, Daniel Bueno stooped low to head in the loose ball.

The second half was played in completely different climatic conditions, with strong winds blowing and heavy downpours over Ta’Qali, making the ball uncontrolable at times on the wet surface.

Hamrun made a double substitution, putting in newcomer Richard Brightwell and Boznov but suffered a further setback on 57 minutes when keeper Cassar was given marching orders for handling the ball outside the penalty area as he was being harassed by Espoisto. The latter shot the resulktant free kick narrowly over.

Tarxien tried to exploit their numerical superiority as they sensed that the points were theirs for the taking. On the hour, Bajada turned and swivelled inside the Hamrun area. His shot was turned into a corner by reserve keeper Anthony Curmi.

With Tarxien failing to score a reassuring second goal, Hamrun threatened themselves and could have levelled matters as they jerked into shape for the final quarter hour. On 74 minutes, the Tarxien keeper David Cassar had to pull the most difficult save of the match as he stretched himself to hold out a Mamo back header and avoid an own goal.

Three minute later the Tarxien rearguard failed to clear a long Yoshev free kick ands the ball fell to Zerafa who hit narrowly wide.

With two minutes remaining, the Spartans were handed a lifeline, winning a penalty for Evaldo’s crude challenge on Boznov inside the area and Massimo Grima stepped up to beat keeper Cassar and salvage a point for a third consecutive draw.