Tarxien R.-Rabat 7-1
Tarxien R.: N. Vella, C. Mamo, L. Martinelli, D. Toure (N. Vella II), W. Barbosa, C. Menendez Hevia, D. Mariano Bueno, K. Pulo, J. Mifsud (S. Sadowski), S. Bonnici, J. Santos Silva (N. Vella I).
Rabat: J. Azzopardi, S. Gauci, D. Azzopardi, I. Carapic, Z. Tanti, P. Borg, J. Bajada (A. Azzopardi) J. Caruana, R. Micallef (SV Oproiescu), M. Licari, D. Carrillo Pendas.
Referee: A. Mario Sant.
Asst refs: A. Camilleri, A. Borg Cardona.
4th official: P. Farrugia
Scorers: D. Toure, 2, one penalty, J. Santos Silva, S. Bonnici, W. Barbosa, K. Pulo, D. Mariano Bueno,
Yellow cards: D. Azzopardi, J. Santos Silva,
Player of the match: W. Barbosa.
TMI Top 3: 1. D. Toure, 2. J. Santos Silva, 3. W. Barbosa.
Attendance: 636
A poor Rabat side were no match for a lively Tarxien Rainbows side yesterday as the latter humiliated their opponents to record their best ever victory since they have been taking part in the Premier League.
The Magpies, who have collected just one point from their nine matches in the Relegation Pool, were absolutely nowhere in the match – especially in the first half - as the Rainbows showed their intentions right from the start.
The Rainbows are now safe and have left Vittoriosa Stars and Naxxar Lions to fight it out between them their final encounter in what has become a relegation decider.
This match had no story as the Rainbows were in command right from the very first whistle.
In fact, they dominated and, by the interval, they had already scored six goals.
The luckless and already relegated Rabat were mesmerised and they had to endure frustration from the opening minutes when the Rainbows took the lead and continued to score goals at regular intervals.
It was only in the second half that the Magpies made some impact as Tarxien reduced their rhythm considerably after resting Demba Toure and Jorge Santos Silva.
In fact, Rabat scored a consolation goal and saw much more of the ball than they did in the first half. But that did little to ease their humiliation.
Knowing that they needed a win to make sure of avoiding the Drop, Tarxien quickly took the initiative and they took the lead on the ninth minute, when Demba Toure converted a penalty after David Azzopardi was deemed to have handled a shot by Mifsud in the area.
In the 16th minute, it was 2-0 as Jorge Santos Silva went past two defenders before firing a low shot past the helpless Azzopardi.
Tarxien continued to show no mercy as they added a third goal on the 22nd minute. From a Santos Silva cross, it was Steve Bonnici who headed home.
And on the 28th minute, as Tarxien continued to dominate, it was Barbosa who hit home a fine rising shot that beat Azzopardi all ends up.
The Rainbows struck again on the 39th minute. It was Barbosa who set Toure in the Rabat area who beat the onrushing Azzopardi.
Rabat’s humiliation was not yet over as Karl Pulo added a sixth goal in the 42nd minute following a Mamo cross and a Toure dummy.
Three minutes into the second half, Tarxien netted a seventh goal when from a Pulo corner, it was Mariano Bueno who anticipated everyone to flick the ball into the net.
As Tarxien relaxed their hold on the match, Rabat also had a good opportunity to score a consolation goal, but veteran Licari shot wide when well placed.
But the goal arrived on the 68th minute when Aidan Azzopardi set Carrillo Pendas in the area and the latter made no mistake from close in.