Tarxien R. 1
Sliema W. 2
Tarxien R. : R. Briffa, A. Andrejic, M. Ciantar (C.Zahra 82'), E. Damey (M. Jelic 46'), B. Farrugia, P. Mambouana, M. Miranda, B. Muscat, A. Tenorio, T. Veronese, D. Zerafa
Sliema W. : J. Galea, E. Agius, J. Cisotti, J. P.Farrugia (S. Seydou 57'), J. Gill, S. Miloskovic, J. Mintoff, C. Pani (P. Xuereb 35' ), M. Sansone, K. Shaw, C. Zappa (J.Dias Pereira 58')
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Asst refs: Duncan Sultana, Theodore Zammit
4th official: Andrea Sciriha
Yellow Cards: Farrugia, Zappa, Muscat, Mintoff, Zerafa, Agius
Scorers: Zappa 43', Andrejic 74', Seydou 84'
BOV Player of the Match: Juri Cisotti (Sliema W.)
TMI Top 3 : 1. J. Cisotti 2. C. Zappa 3. A. Andrejic
Attendance: 230
Sliema Wanderers registered their first win of the campaign but left it late to beat basement side Tarxien Rainbows by the odd goal in three.
For the latter this was the fifth consecutive defeat. As regards Sliema this enabled them to move on the five point mark after two draws in their last outings against Gzira United and Gudja United respectively.
Both teams had an unimpressive start to this campaign with Tarxien languishing at the bottom place still pointless. They lost their first four outings against Mosta, Hibernians, Hamrun and Santa Lucia. On the other hand Sliema didn't do much better losing to Balzan and Valletta u drawing against Gzira United and Gudja.
Destin Mambouana was returning for Tarxien Rainobws, after serving a one-match ban.
The first action came from Sliema when Juri Cisotti found Stanimir Miloskovic who made his way towards goal but his final shot ended inches over the bar. On 13 minutes Sliema had a free kick with Jean Paul Farrugia testing Rudi Briffa who was on the alert to block.
On 28 minutes a low shot by Michele Sansone was once again saved by Briffa. Sliema kept piling on the pressure and just two minutes later off a Claudio Zappa corner a headed effort by Juan Gill Cruz sailed over the bar.
For this insistence Sliema were rewarded two minutes from the break. It was Claudio Zappa who after making his way past his direct opponent fired into the top of the net.
On the change of ends Sliema tried to seal the issue when in the 66th minute Cisotti sent a low shot which was saved by Galea. But it was Tarxien who surprisingly drew level on 73 minutes. Aleksa Andrejic took control of the proceedings and his low drive from inside the area beat Jake Galea.
But Sliema were not to be denied and five minutes from the end substitute Sow Seydou beat Daniel Zerafa and shot past Briffa for what proved to be the winner.
Till the end Sliema controlled well and cruised to their first win of the season. A much desired three points which give some fresh hopes to Alfonso Greco's boys.
Not the same can be said about the Rainbows from Tarxien who have now gone five games without grabbing a point. Their faith is far from sealed but judging by their performances and lack of points this season is going to be a struggle all throughout.
