Tarxien beat Marsa to go second

Marsa 0
Tarxien Rainbows 2

An early own goal and a late Simon Shead strike gave Tarxien Rainbows three important points in their quest to win promotion to the Premier League.

Although Marsa enjoyed the bulk of possession and the better scoring opportunities, Tarxien defended well and applied the killer blows to avenge their 3-2 defeat against Michael Molzahn's side in the first round.

Marsa's defeat, their third in as many matches, pushed them down to third place in the standings.

Both teams had some players missing due to suspension and injuries. Marsa were without midfielders Daniel Gatt and Warren Chircop, goalkeeper Ivan Casha and defender Graham Bencini while forward Carlos Camenzuli and midfielders Manwel Caruana and Aaron Guazzo were absent for Tarxien.

Tarxien took the lead after three minutes. Kurt Zammit crossed for Kurt Coleiro in the Marsa box and the latter's fierce drive hit Nikolai Slavtchev. Marsa goalkeeper Roderick Spiteri parried the initial effort but the ball again bounced off the Bulgarian and rolled into the net.

Marsa responded in the 12th minute. Slavtchev floated a free-kick towards Steven Meilak whose free header was touched onto the post by Anthony Curmi.

Marsa were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute when Gilbert Martin's run was halted illegally by Zammit and Andre Rocha da Silva inside the Tarxien box.

Slavtchev took the responsibility for the penalty as he had done in the corresponding first round fixture but for the second time, Curmi saved the Bulgarian defender's effort.

Five minutes before the break, Martin produced a glorious free-kick from the left but Curmi denied him with another excellent save.

Marsa stuck to their attacking game after the change of ends but Tarxien may have stormed further ahead had a George Cutajar cross-shot not sailed over the crossbar. On the hour, Marsa ventured forward again when a Martin cross was headed wide by Darren Vella.

The Rainbows made the game safe seven minutes from time. Following a quick one-two move, Alan Tabone passed to Shead who beat the Marsa defenders for speed before slotting the ball home.

Marsa were now dead and buried as Tarxien leapfrogged their conquered opponents into second place.

Marsa: R. Spiteri, D. Vella, N. Slavtchev, G. Martin, B. Zammit (B. Borg), S. Cutajar, K. Scerri (J. Dalli), S. Meilak, R. Micallef, J. Casha (T. Thomas), J.P. Zammit.

Tarxien: A. Curmi, F. Farrugia (O. Grech), G. Cutajar, E. Saliba, J. Tonna, K. Zammit, S. Shead (M. Pisani), A. Tabone, B. Testaferrata, K. Coleiro (M. Micallef), A. Rocha Da Silva.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Naxxar pull off double

Naxxar Lions 3
Senglea AthleticS 2

Naxxar Lions completed a double over Senglea Athletics to climb into a mid-table position for the first time this season.

Senglea, who had some key players missing, were technically the better side but found Naxxar goalkeeper Reuben Cini in tremendous form.

The Lions created the first scoring opportunity of the game when, after only 10 minutes, a Chima Dozie cross-shot was cleared by Senglea defender David Gauci.

Senglea forged ahead on 25 minutes, Anthony Gera firing home from close range after receiving the ball from Mark Marlow.

Naxxar equalised two minutes later. A Dozie free-kick was deflected by a Senglea defender, the ball rolling into the path of Gordon Naudi who shot straight at goalkeeper George Attard. The Senglea goalkeeper repelled Naudi's effort but from the following goalmouth scramble, Chris Tabone's effort was touched into the net by Gilbert Camilleri.

In the 34th minute, the Lions had a Dozie free-kick turned away for a corner by Attard. Three minutes later, Senglea responded with a Marlow free-kick that was magnificently saved by Cini for a corner. On the stroke of half-time, the Lions custodian stopped a Darren Grech free-kick.

Senglea penned Naxxar in their half in the early stages of the second period but Cini stood in their way, thwarting dangerous attempts from Grech and Jason Borg.

Cini's show continued on the hour when he effected another point-blank save from Gera who had been set up by Grech.

Naxxar went ahead against the run of play in the 64th minute, Dozie's well-taken free-kick giving Attard no chance.

Senglea quickly regained the initiative and 14 minutes from the end, Grech delivered a good shot from the edge of the area but Cini stood firm.

Senglea restored parity in the 79th minute when Naudi fouled Grech in the area and Simon Aquilina drove his shot past Cini.

Naxxar went close to reclaiming their lead a minute later but Dozie's overhead kick was saved by Attard. Moments later, the Lions scored what proved to be the winner.

Substitute Glenn Magri's pass into the Senglea area reached Dozie who was floored by Gauci. The Senglea defender was sent off by referee Kevin Azzopardi for denying Dozie a clear scoring opportunity and Naxxar's Nigerian striker did what was expected of him by converting the penalty.

Senglea threw more men forward in their bid to snatch an equaliser but their best chance came in stoppage time when Grech shot wide from close range.

Naxxar: R. Cini, M. Borg, C. Sciberras, R. Schembri, T. Fenech, C. Tabone (K. Fenech), S. Muscat, C. Dozie, G. Camilleri, J. Zammit (G. Magri), G. Naudi.

Senglea: G. Attard, D. Gauci, T. Farrugia, D. Cosaitis, A. Aquilina, D. Grech, M. Marlow (L. McKay), A. Gera, C. Caruana, G. Bonello, J. Borg.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.