Tarxien R.-Hibernians 0-1
Tarxien R: N. Vella, C. Mamo, F. Lopes Alcantara, A. Agius, M. Potezica, R. Calheira (S. Sadowski), E. Souza Santos (R. Sammut), J. Mifsud, J. Silva (K. Pulo), L. Martinelli, S. Bonnici
Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, J. Pearson, J. Lima, M. Dias (M. Bartolo), A. Cohen (J.P. Farrugia), B. Kristensen, C. Failla, Z. Levnaic, O. Obiefule, L. Edison
Referee: M.Borg
Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, E. Spiteri
Additional refs: C. Pisani, F. Zammit
4th official: S . Attard
Scorer: L. Edison 90+
Yellow cards: M. Potezika, J. Mifsud, Z. Levnaic, B. Kristensen, S. Bonnici
Red card: M. Potezika
Player of the match: N. Vella (Tarxien R)
TMI top three: 1. N. Vella 2. S. Bonnici 3. J. Lima
Attendance:1,450
Tarxien Rainbows may feel aggrieved for the way they were beaten in this derby against neighbours Hibernians, going down to a Luis Edison’s goal deep into added time.
The Paolites deserved their win for the way they dominated the match in the second period after Tarxien had Marko Potezika sent off a minute before halftime.
Ten-man Tarxien had to absorb a lot of pressure and had their goalkeeper Nicholas Vella to thank for a string of good saves that denied Hibernians.
But in Hibernians’ last attempt, deep into added time, Luis Edison headed in Failla’s corner from the left to give his side three points.
Last season’s runners-up remained mostly an unchanged side, with the additions of Matthew Tabone and Matthew Bartolo who returned to the club. Both were named among the substitutes yesterday.
On the contrary, Tarxien have a new look about them this season. They made a clean sweep of all their foreigners and Brazilians Jorge Silva and Ronaille Calheira now spearhead their attack. Two new foreign defenders include Marko Potezika and Everton Souza Santos, with two local additions on loan, Josef Mifsud and Luca Martinelli from Sliema Wanderers.
Goal scoring opportunities remained at a premium in the first half as the two sides stifled each other in midfield. Hibernians were perhaps technically the slightly better team but Tarxien showed character and failed to buckle under pressure.
The goalkeepers were tested only on one occasion. Towards the half hour, the Hibernians custodian Mario Muscat blocked Jorge Silva’s low drive with some difficulty and on 40 minutes Failla’s curling shot from the left was repelled by Tarxien’s Niky Vella.
The only noteworthy episode of a mundane half, was Potezika’s dismissal just before the break for his second booking after a crude foul on Dias.
Hibernians still struggled to exploit their numerical superiority after the interval, even if they mounted some sustained pressure as the match wore on. Cohen’s inswinging free kick brought a smart save from keeper Vella and on 62 minutes Edison managed to avoid the keepr on a low Dias cross but put his shot wide. On another Lima cross from the left, there was good elevation from Obiefule but his header lacked precision.
The onslaught continued and the match almost turned out into a shooting practice for the Paolites.
Vella frustrated them time and again with some superlative goalkeeping. He turned Lima’s left foot shot into a corner and then denied Edison with another good save.
In flashes, Tarxien tried to counter. On 78 minutes Mamo’s cross fopund substitute Sammut unmarked inside the Hibernians’ area. His header was palmed out by keeper Muscat.
Tarxien looked like preserving a clean sheet, only to be denied by Luis Edison at the death.
Football sometyimes can be cruel.