Tarxien R. Vittoriosa 1-1

Tarxien: N. Vella, C. Mamo, M. Caruana, F. Lopes Alcantara, L. Martinelli (M. Ciantar 40’), D. Toure (L. Concalves 73’), C. Menendez Hevia D. Mariano Bueno, J. Mifsud,  

Vittoriosa: M. Muscat, G. Martin (M. Camilleri 90’), M. Buttigieg (C. Spiteri 63’), L. Torri, C. Brincat, M. Pereira, L. Vella Critien (C. Sammut 58’), O. Guerrero, F. Aguiar, S. Arab, S. Ousmane

Scorers: F. Lopes Alcantara 6’ (T), O. Guerrero 19’ (V) 

Yellow Cards: C. Menendez Hevia 5’, D. Mariano Bueno 45’ (T), G. Martin 29’, L. Vella Critien 43’, M. Pereira 58’, C. Brincat 74’ (V)

Referee: Clayton Pisani

Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, William Debattista

BOV Player of the Match: Oscar Guerrero (Vittoriosa Stars)

Attendance: 329

Tarxien Rainbows and Vittoriosa Stars finished 1-1 in a balanced encounter. The draw clearly shows the balance in the game with both teams who needed the win but didn’t risk to lose the game. Although a point doesn’t help very much but at least will give them confidence for the Relegation Pool.

Tarxien lacked Ryan Sammut and William Barbosa while Vittoriosa had the Italian Torri who made his debut while Siraj Arab was missing.

Tarxien took the lead after jsut six minutes when from a free-kick, Jorge Santos Silva passed to Carlo Mamo who had his shot blocked but when the ball bounced, it finished to Tarxien’s advantage with Fernando Lopes Alcantara who was at the spot, controlled the ball and fired past Mario Muscat from an angled position. Three minutes later Santos Silva passed to Bonnici who crossed to Bueno, the South American striker tried to scored but found Muscat ready to tip into a corner.  

Vittoriosa were given a penalty on the 19th minute when Clayton Pisani pointed to the spot after Fernando Lopes Alcantara allegedly pushed Gilbert Martin. From the spot Oscar Guerrero slotted past Vella. Vittoriosa continued to attack and on the 30th minute a left foot shot by Guerrero was saved bravely by Vella.

Tarxien replied on the 36th minute when first Mario Muscat saved a shot by Jorge Santos Silva but from the rebound Bueno crossed again to Santos Silva but his header gave the illusion of a goal but finished centimetres away. Tarxien went again close to take the lead on the 45th minute but this time the low shot from Demba Toure was denied by the upright.

Vittoriosa started the second half on the attack and almost took the lead on the 47th minute when from a corner, Torri could have scored but his header finished a bit wide. On the 68th minute Carlo Mamo crossed to Dmeba Toure but again the header was neutralised by Muscat. Two minutes later Mario Muscat again denied Jorge Santos Silva from a free-kick with a beautiful save. Tarxien again dangerous on the 75th minute but the powerful shot by Bueno finished wide. Three minutes later it was Vittoriosa’s turn to almost take the lead when Martin crossed to Pereira who headed after taking advantage of an indecision by Vella but Guerrero fired over the bar.