Senglea back in the hunt as Tarxien go top

Tarxien Rainbows 2
San Gwann 1

Tarxien Rainbows confirmed their credentials as genuine promotion contenders this season after they lowered the colours of a battling San Gwann side to go top of the Division One standings.

It was far from a comfortable afternoon for the Rainbows who were forced to some solid defending late on to survive the Saints' rally.

But Tarxien were too strong for their opponents and are now one point clear at the top of the standings even though they have played a game more than second-placed Mqabba.

The Rainbows built their success on a strong collective performance and their cause was further aided by the second half dismissal of San Gwann player Alan Spiteri.

Jesmond Zerafa's men were off to a flier and after only two minutes they were already a goal ahead. Ryan Darmanin profited from a poor clearance by the San Gwann defence and unleashed a powerful drive that flew into the Saints net.

San Gwann's response arrived in the 13th minute when a Clint Gatt free-kick sailed just over.

However, it was all Tarxien in these early stages and they added a second goal on 22 minutes. Alan Tabone traded the ball with Stefan Farrugia before setting up Darmanin who easily stabbed the ball home from close in.

The Saints then threatened from two free-kicks, taken by Gatt, which however failed to hit the target.

Enjoying a two-goal advantage the Rainbows opted to administer their advantage at the start of the second half.

On 58 minutes, the Saints almost pulled a goal back but Karl Sciberras's header was well saved by Tarxien goalkeeper Anthony Curmi.

San Gwann's hopes of a recovery were severely jolted just past the hour when Spiteri was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

But despite playing with a man less San Gwann were still dangerous and on 76 minutes Danilo Doncic forced his way past two defenders before setting up Sciberras who was denied by a fine save from Curmi.

The Saints still managed to pull a goal back late on when Doncic turned past his marker to blast the ball home. But that was a little too late as the Rainbows held on to a vital win.

Tarxien: A. Curmi, S. Sadowski, J. Schembri, J. Francica, O. Grech, S. Farrugia (A. Guazzo), A. Tabone, G. Cutajar, P. Camilleri, M. Okoro, R. Darmanin (S. Shead).

San Gwann: J. Spiteri, L. Vella Critien, A. Gatt, C. Giordemaina (D. Doncic), A. Saliba, L. Sciberras, C. Cuschieri, A. Borg, C. Gatt, M. Psaila (A. Spiteri), K. Sciberras.

Referee: Joe Attard.

Man of the match: Maczerob Okoro (Tarxien Rainbows).

St Patrick 2
Senglea Athletic 4

What a difference 15 days can make. A fortnight ago St Patrick made a mockery of Senglea when beating them 4-0 in the FA Trophy. But yesterday it was a totally different story.

Senglea played a good match and not only did they keep their unbeaten record intact but are now serious contenders for a promotion place as they moved up to second just one point behind leaders Tarxien.

It was a tight affair but the player that made all the difference yesterday was Nigerian striker Chima Dozie, who not only scored one of his team's goals but played his heart out, covering acres of space.

St Patrick went close in the 17th minute when Kenneth Abela just missed the target following a good move. Senglea responded three minutes later when a John Fsadni effort was well kept out by David Cassar in the Saints goal.

With the game evenly balanced, Senglea threatened again on 25 minutes when Abela pounced on some poor defending from St Patrick but just failed to hit the target. Three minutes later, a Vince Camilleri volley finished just over.

Senglea finished as the stronger side in the first half and Fsadni fired just over eight minutes from the interval.

The woodwork denied Senglea an opener four minutes into the second half when Dozie saw his effort rattle the crossbar from close in.

That was the prelude of Senglea's opener on 57 minutes, Glenn Bonello picking up the loose ball before firing a precise shot that had the better of Cassar.

St Patrick came back strongly and managed to draw level on 63 minutes. They were awarded a free-kick and Gordon Failla curled the ball round the defensive wall and past a stranded George Attard.

But the Saints' joy was shortlived as in the 69th minute, Dozie rose magnificently to meet a Grech cross from the right-flank with the ball hitting the back of the net.

St Patrick soon responded and managed to score a second equaliser when Failla was on target from another free-kick, giving no chance to Attard.

However, the match was far from over and Senglea regained the lead when from a David Gauci free-kick, Dozie nodded the ball into the path of Lawrence Attard who made no mistake from close in.

The Cottonera side were not finished yet and late on Jeremy Gatt was on the end of a swift break and the Senglea forward buried the ball home to the delight of his fans.

St Patrick: D. Cassar; S. Dimech (G. Scerri), K. Abela, M. Zerafa (S. Zerafa), M. Fleri Soler, V. Camilleri, K. Micallef (K. Coleiro), G. Failla, M. Pullicino, C. Micallef, E. Saliba.

Senglea: G. Attard; D. Gauci, L. Attard, D. Cosaitis, S. Aquilina, D. Grech (M. Borg), F. Ellul, J. Fsadni (C. Caruana), E. Azzopardi, C. Dozie, G. Bonello (J. Gatt).

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Man of the Match: Chima Dozie (Senglea Athletic).

Next fixtures

Saturday: Division One KO, preliminary round (Centenary Stadium) - 1.30 p.m. Naxxar vs Mqabba; 3.30 p.m. Hamrun vs Senglea.