Zejtun gained an important win against Tarxien Rainbows to move above Balzan and send their opponents into more troubled waters. It was a well deserved win for the Corinthians who had Vieira and Reid in fine form and caused a lot of havoc to the Rainbows.

Prior to this match four points separated the two teams with Zejtun lying fourth from bottom on 12 points, followed by Tarxien on eight.

The Rainbows went into this match coming from four consecutive defeats. This following a surpise 3-1 win over Valletta.

On the other hand Zejtun lost four out of the last five matches, collecting only three points from a win over Lija.

Only just a few seconds hadpassed when Żejtun threatened through a shot by Kemar Reid which ended inches wide.

Three minutes later on the other end off a Darren Falzon cross in came Vito Plut whose shot was saved by the Żejtun goalkeeper.

Żejtun took the lead in the 23rd minute when following a good run by Kemar Reid, the Jamaican forward on entering the area fired home.

Just past the half hour another chance for Żejtun when a Vitor Vieira shot from the edge of the area ended wide.

Tarxien had the best chance of the first half a minute from the break.  A Vito Plut shot was partially saved by Cassar,  the ball went into Ssekisambu’s direction but the latter blasted high with the goal at his mercy.

Zejtun doubled their lead in the 58th minute. Kemar Reid made his way on the right flank and crossed towards Vitor Vieira who placed the ball into the net from close range.

The Corinthians kept on dictating matters and in the 63rd minute off a Kemar Reid cross a headed effort by Vieira ended just over the bar.

Four minutes later Barbosa brought the best out of Fernandes who had to stretch in order to turn his grounder onto a corner.

On 78 minutes Tarxien reduced the gap when following some good work by Vito Plut, his cross found Kyle Gatt who had just come on the pitch who blasted into the roof of the net.

Six minutes from time Tarxien could have drew level when first a shot from the right side was partially blocked by the Zejtun goalkeeper and from rebound Ssekisambu’s shot hit the upright.

But it was Zejtun who sealed the issue in the 86th minute when a cross from the right flank by Reid found Barboza Da Silva who had no difficulty to place the ball into the net.

Photo Domenic Aquilina