Mosta-Tarxien R 2-2       

Mosta: O. Borg, K. Farrugia, T. Farrugia, M. Brincat, A. Cini (J. Brincat), M. Micallef, Y. Messias,  J. Ekani, V. Armando (I. Grech), B. Kaljevic (C. Fernandes), G. Piccione

Tarxien R: A. Curmi, F. Lopez Alcantara, A. Agius (C. Mamo), L. Martinelli, M. Potezica, R. Caiheira, M. Ciantar, R. Sammut, J. Mifsud, S. Bonnici (K. Pulo), Jorge Silva

Referee:  S. Spiteri

Asst.refs:  I. Spiteri, E.Spiteri

Additional asst.refs: C. Pisani, M. Spiteri

4th official: J. Spiteri

Scorers: G. Piccione 8, 74, R. Caiheira 49 pen, 90+

Yellow cards: A. Agius, M. Brincat, L. Martinelli, K. Pulo, J. Ekani, Y. Messias, R. Sammut, J. Silva, M. Ciantar

Red card: J.Ekani

Player of the match: G. Piccione (Mosta)

TMI top 3:  1. Y. Messias  2. R. Caiheira  3. G. Piccione

Mosta almost repeated  last week’s win against Sliema Wanderers with another against struggling Tarxien Rainbows, but were denied two points by a predatory late header from Tarxien Rainbows’ Romaille Caiheira.

Mosta dominated possession for long spells, especially  in the first half but failed to add to their early lead. Twice they were in front but on both occasions they were caught up by their opponents, and finally had to settle for a draw.

This point comes as some relief to the Rainbows, their first after three consecutive defeats, and keeps them at par with Vittoriosa Stars and  Balzan in the standings. It rewards them for their improvement and efforts  after the break, following a sluggish start.

Gianfranco Piccione scored both goals for Mosta, to take his personal tally to four in two matches. Romaille Caiheira emulated him with a brace for Tarxien, one from a soft penalty he won himself after being denied a clearer one in the first period.

With Bojan Kaljevic back in their starting line-up, replacing Christian Fernandes, Mosta took the bit between their teeth early in the game and made the breakthrough after only eight minutes play.

Playmaker Armando set Ekani wide on the right, steering the ball square in the path of Gianmarco Piccione who slotted the ball between the feet of keeper Curmi, deputising for the suspended Nicky Vella in the Tarxien goal.

Tarxien started with three men at the back, wide players Josef Mifsud and Steve Bonnici flanking Lopez Alcantara. After conceding the first goal, and going through some more anxious moments at the back, they reverted to a flat four defence. Bonnici was replaced by Karl Pulo and both Luca Martinelli and Ryan Sammut dropped as wide backs.

That subdued somehow Mosta’s incessant pressure. Mosta could have increased their lead on 23 minutes but Ekani, unmolested in front of goal, headed Kaljevic’s cross wide. The Tarxien keeper then missed the flight of the ball on a Messias inswinging corner for Mosta, but luckily for the Rainbows, nobody could connect.

Tarxien showed up on 21 minutes, with a Jorge Silva wicked free kick, forcing Mosta keeper Borg to tip the ball over the bar. With halftime looming, Tyrone Farrugia felled Caiheira as he turned past him inside the area but the referee turned down what looked like a legitimate claim for a penalty by the Tarxien players.

But four minutes after the start of the second period, Caiheira fell blatantly when he came into contact with Ekani inside the Mosta area. This time the referee opted for the penalty. Romaille Caiheira steadied himself to tuck it away and level matters.

That enabled Tarxien to haul themsleves back into the game and a Jorge Silva shot was saved by keeper Borg.

Another debateble incident on the hour had susbstitute Fernandes going clear on Piccione’s pass, but Potezica managed to block him on the edge of the area. As both players came into contact, the referee opted for a free kick to Mosta but was lenient in showing Potezica only the yellow card.

Keeper Curmi twice came to Tarxien’s rescue, tipping over Kane Farrugia’s effort from outside the area and then stretching himslef to hold out Fernandes’ low drive.

That was the prelude of Mosta goal on 74 minutes. Micallef played a long ball forward  for Piccione to chase, beat Tarxien’s offside trap and lob over the onrushing goalkeeper.

As Mosta looked heading towards a win, Tarxien stunned them with an equaliser deep into five minutes of added time. Mamo’s free kick rebounded off the post, the ball fell in the path of Caiheira to head in from close range and salvage a point for Tarxien that had looked beyond them.

Mosta also had Ekani sent off for a second bookable offence, for blocking Caiheira from taking a free kick as the players pushed each other in midfield.